If you are thinking about making a decision to get a cat, before you ever move on to examine all the ways and places you can find a cat, it is really important to pause, take a deep breath and ask yourself some searching questions first.
The fact is that people have a tendency to let their heart rule their head when it comes to choosing a pet, but it is also a fact that not everyone is in a position to offer a good home to a cat. People may think they are, but there are a number of practical considerations that need to be addressed before you make that final decision.
You should check out the following points which need to be weighed up in detail, before you ever get a cat. Make a list of the advantages and disadvantages so you can make a proper judgement.
Some Basic Questions - Should I get A Cat?
. Do the terms of your rental agreement allow you to have a pet? If you are a homeowner, then you don't need permission, but most leases will have something to say on this issue, so read the small print. If a Landlord is unhappy, you may be forced to get rid of the animal or move out, so be aware!
. Is everyone living at home comfortable with the idea of a cat in the house, especially anyone suffering from allergies such as asthma which may be triggered by exposure to cat hairs?
. Do you know that a cat can live for between 10-20 years of age? Are you ready and able to give that commitment for so long? Will you live that long?
. Are there any small children at home? Cats are no respecters of people if mishandled and may scratch even children who may not understand the need to be gentle.
. In these straitened financial times, can you afford to get a cat and support it for 20 years, bearing in mind the costs of insurance, vaccinations and vet fees, and particularly of food and vitamins.
. Will the cat be at home alone all day while you are at work? Contrary to popular belief, cats do not like to be left alone for long periods.
. Are you particularly house proud? Cats, particularly kittens, can be destructive.
Where to Get a Cat?
Most people look for a cat in a local shelter or from a rescue group or take advice from their vet. You can also find an animal through classified ads in the local press, or more often these days, by searching the internet. Cat and Animal magazines are another excellent source and Municipal shelters can also offer a variety of animals, from kittens to full grown animals, from purebred to mixed bred. Never buy an animal from the proverbial man in the pub. Be careful about taking in stray animals. Nothing wrong with that, but you will need to make sure the animal is healthy and this may involve an early visit to the vet, with inevitable costs for vaccination shots.
An important consideration from the beginning is whether to take a kitten or a mature cat. If you are visiting a Cat Shelter, leave your children at home. Make your choice based on a cool assessment of the health of the animal and a judgement on the personality of the cat.
Ask questions of the Shelter staff because they are best placed to know about the animals in their care and will want to ensure they go to a good home, where they are compatible with their owners, and where there is every chance that the "match" will be successful. 20 minutes spent in this way can save a lot of heartache for both you and the animal later.
My personal view is never to buy a pet from a pet store. Sorry, but I firmly believe that some stores get their animals from mass breeding organisations which are driven purely by the profit motive, with little regard for the welfare of the animals that are produced from these "kitten" or "puppy" mills. While some stores are perfectly reputable my advice is not to take the risk as there are many alternative providers who are open to inspection and it is a fact that illness is common in Pet Stores.
Final Thoughts and Advice
Once your decision has been made and you have finally chosen your animal, remember to get a receipt for the animal before leaving for home. Make sure you get any certificates of vaccination that are available and also ask for a copy of the diet regime of the animal so that you can continue this at home. If you follow this dispassionate approach from the outset, you will very quickly discover not only where to get a cat, but also how to choose the animal of your dreams.
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