Where to search for your new cat

If you've been following the sequence of my posts, you've probably decided on the age, gender, and breed of your cat.

Now all you have to do is actually find your cat.
I'm going to give you a list of places you can look to find a cat up for adoption, and two places that you should NEVER EVER go to for cats.

1. petfinder.com

Petfinder.com is a website that a lot of shelters across the US use to introduce the animals they have up for adoption.  This website is a good way to get a feel for the shelters that are available around your home address, and a good way to ensure that you have a specific cat in mind before actually going to the shelter in person (which helps, because most times you will come home empty handed).

petfinder.com

2. adoptapet.com

Adoptapet.com is also basically has the same function as petfinder.com.  It is a website that a lot of human societies and rescue groups across the US use to introduce the animals they have up for adoption.

3. local cat shelter, humane shelters, and rescue organization

Usually there is a local cat shelter or rescue group around just about everywhere.   It's important for you to visit a local cat shelter because not every cat is listed online, and you just might find your new partner in life! It's also easier to get a feel for what each cat needs specifically (sometimes specific cats have medical issues) and which cat you really bond to, and if you are new to cats, talking to volunteers at the shelter might help you in your decision.

Jiji, brought home from a cat shelter

4.  Breed Rescue Groups

Breed rescue groups are great when you have a specific breed in mind.  If you are looking for a purebred and want to adopt a pet from a shelter, then this is where you want to go.

5. Breeders

Breeders are for when you want a purebred show cat, or you think you absolutely want a stunning purebred kitty (and have the money to spend).  Breeders are excellent people to adopt a kitty from because they guarantee the health of your kitty through generations back, you can ask to see the parents and the environment, and they're probably generally more healthier than cats that have been in shelters. The only con is that they are EXPENSIVE.  If you're rich it's probably not a big deal, but for me (I'm broke) it's a BIG BIG BIG BIG factor.

8. Veterinarian

Large veterinarians sometimes have animals for adoption.  All you have to do is search online which for vets that have animals for adoption, and you can go through pretty the same process that goes for an animal shelter.  The good thing about adopting from a vet is that the conditions that the cats are kept in are probably better (because most shelters are short of funding).

MCPCA, a large veterinarian clinic in Boston, offers animal adoption services.

9. "Free to a good home" - friends, neighbors, craigslist, oodle

Both my kittens were "free to a good home"(sometimes for a small cost to cover first vaccinations).  The easiest target would be friends or neighbors that just had kittens or have cats that they are leaving behind because they are moving.  If you don't have either, craigslist and oodle's pet listings would be your best bet.  Don't be afraid to look for kittens on these sites (that's where I found my kitties) but BEWARE!!! BEWARE!!!! BEWARE!!!!!!!!! of SCAMMERS!!!  I will probably have a detailed post on scammers later on, but the first signs for scammers is that the pictures are too high quality, and there are a lot of grammar mistakes.  One trick you can use is to save the picture in their listing and google search the picture itself.  If you feel even slightly! uncertain, just close the page and look for another kitty.  There are plenty of kittens for adoption.  Another comment on "free to a good home" kittens.  These kittens might have been exposed to unknown health risks (eg. FIV), and it's always best to know whether or not the parents of the kittens have been vaccinated, and whether the owners want the kittens/cat to be spayed/neutered (some people ask for a deposit that will be returned when proof is shown of the kitten being spayed/neutered, since home-breeding is one of the greatest causes of the number of animals in shelters).


PLACES NEVER TO LOOK FOR YOUR CAT

1. Kitten Farms

Kitten Farms are businesses that breed animals just for the money.  They don't care about the animals' health, breed, genetic issues, and most importantly, the welfare of the animals is not considered.  The kittens from these businesses are risky to adopt health-wise, and buying animals will only encourage kitten farms.

2. Pet Stores

Most pet stores get their animals from kitten farms, and buying these animals will only encourage immoral business.

How to choose a cat breed

About cat breeds.

Just like dog breeds, ever cat breed has its distinct appearance, characteristics, health issues, and personality.  

Things to look for in a breed are:

• coat length 

People have different opinions about whether long coats or short coats look better on a specific cat, but longer coats usually require more grooming.  If you plan on trimming a long-haired cat's coat, this might turn out to be a great hassle.  It also takes longer to give baths to long-haired cats.  

Kiki takes much longer to bathe than Koopa because of his long and dense undercoat.

• grooming requirements

Each cat has different shedding level and patterns.  Since grooming is an important part of taking care of your cat, the time you have available to groom your cat may factor into your choice.

• size

I already talked about size issues (read Choosing your cat's gender), so, to paraphrase, size cat elevate the costs of a cat carrier and traveling costs, and heavy cats can break  your arms if you don't have a car to take your cat to the vet.  

• coat color

Well, you've got to know what your future cat is going to look like, right?

• activity level

Active cats = more playtime.  If you don't have an incredible amount of time to play with your cat everyday, I wouldn't recommend getting a super-active cat breed.  I have heard of cats that destroy furniture when they have unspent energy stored up for too long. 

• genetic health issues

Because pedigree cats are inbred,  genetic mutations keep recurring.  This means that specific cat breeds may be prone to developing certain health issues.  

• family suitability

Some cats are too sensitive, too small, or too weak, and may not be suitable for small children. 

• acceptance level of other animals

If you have pre-existing pets, or are planning to get more pets in the future, keep in mind that some cats might never come to tolerate other animals.  However, if you choose a breed that is known to be accepting to  new animals, you will probably have more luck creating bonds between your different pets.  

Kiki and Koopa's first meeting.  Kiki never had problems accepting Koopa, and now they are best friends!  :)

• talking level

Some cats never meow, while others just go on and on and on.  It's just a matter of preference.  Both my cats are very talkative, and usually, I find it adorable.  But I should also mention that my cats don't bother to keep their conversation down during the night, which might result in frequent sleep disturbances if you are a light sleeper.  

• hypoallergenic breeds

If you are allergic to cats, but just cannot force yourself to stay away from them, you're in luck!!! Allergies to cats actually arise from a protein in their saliva, (Fel D1) which they then coat their fur with by grooming themselves.  When the saliva dries, the proteins dry off the fur and skin and floats into the air, making their way into your nose and eyes.  The cat breeds that are known to be hypoallergenic are: Balinese, Bengal, Burmese, Colorpoint Shorthair, Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, Javanese, Ocicat, Oriental Shorthair, Russian Blue, Siamese, and Sphynx.  Keep in mind that hypoallergenic means "less allergic," not "completely non-allergic.  

Remember to look at multiple sources of information before actually deciding on what breed you want!