How to Choose a Cat - Looking For a Cat

1. Visit your local shelter. Animal shelters, humane societies, and foster networks have a great selection of cats who need loving homes. In the United States, 6-8 million pets are in shelters every year, but only about half are adopted.[15] Visit your local humane society or animal shelter, or look online to see if there are cats in need of a home in your area.
- Pets adopted from shelters often cost less than purchasing a cat from a breeder or pet store. Cats from pet stores and breeders can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars, but it’s rare for a shelter or foster network to charge more than $100 or $200 to rehome a cat.
- You don’t have to buy from a breeder to adopt a purebred cat. There are many rescue organizations that rescue abandoned or mistreated purebreds.[16] In fact, up to 25% of pets in animal shelters are purebreds.[17]
- Talk with the employees or volunteers at the shelter. They often can tell you the history of the cat, as well as any medical or behavioral issues the cat has.[18]

2. Visit a breeder. Investigate any breeder’s reputation before purchasing a cat. If you can, visit and examine the conditions the cats are being kept in for yourself. The last thing you want to do is contribute to breeders mistreating animals. If you see cats being mistreated or feel that the breeder is not being upfront with you, don’t buy a cat from the operation.[19]
- Look for telltale signs of cat abuse, such as piles of cat hair everywhere, overwhelming odor, injured animals, and overgrown nails. The cats should be healthy and should seem happy.
- Ask about the cat you’re considering. Ask the breeder about whether it will be likely to have any health issues, behavioral problems, or special needs. The breeder should sound knowledgeable and honest about any issues.
- Make sure the cats are comfortable with other animals and people.
- Be very suspicious of unreasonably low prices. A designer breed that should cost thousands of dollars being sold for a few hundred suggests that the breeder is either cutting corners or being dishonest about the cat. On the other hand, sky-high prices don’t guarantee quality.

3. Search online. You may find ads online or in the newspaper for cats that are for sale or “free to a good home.” While it’s certainly possible to adopt a cat from a neighbor or even a stranger on craigslist, you should be aware that there are risks to this.
- The person offering the cat may not know much about its temperament, history, or breed. Make sure that you get any medical records or other paperwork from the person offering the cat.
- If it is a cat for sale, you may have a hard time getting your money back if the cat turns out to be different than you were promised.

4. Go to the pet store. Pet stores may sell cats they have purchased from a breeder, or they may have an “adoption center” where rescued cats can be adopted. Be aware that employees at pet stores may love animals, but they rarely have the same level of knowledge about the cats that the people who work with animal shelters or rescue groups do.[20]
- Always ask the store where they get their cats and kittens for sale. Stores may acquire their cats from kitten mills that breed cats under unethical, harmful conditions. Research the breeders that provide the cats. They should seem knowledgeable about the breed, any potential behavior or health issues, and the cat’s personal history (family, etc.). Purebred cats should also have documentation from a local vet and paperwork, such as registration papers or health certificates.[21]
- If your pet store offers adoption from shelters or adoption agencies, choose one of those cats. Adopting a cat rather than purchasing one will ensure you do not send profit to an unethical kitten mill.

5. Adopt a stray. Sometimes, a cat may just show up at your doorstep and ask for love. While this is certainly one way to include a cat in your life, there are a few things to consider:[22]
- Make sure that the cat doesn’t belong to someone else. Sometimes, “stray” cats have eluded their owners, who really want them back. Place an ad in the classifieds or on the internet describing the cat you’ve discovered. Call your local animal shelters to see if a missing animal has been reported.
- Remember that stray cats may have behavioral issues. Life on the streets is hard, and a stray cat may have trouble integrating into a new home life, especially if you already have other pets.
- Get the cat examined by a veterinarian before taking it into your home. Cats can carry diseases and infections. Before you adopt a stray cat and let it live with you, have it examined by a vet to make sure it’s healthy.

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