Adopting A Cat Or Buying One? The Pros And Cons To Consider

Once you have decided to welcome a cat into your home, to be a member of your family, the next questions is where to get the cat from? Should you purchase a cat from a breeder? A pet store? (A reputable breeder is a much better and much safer choice than a pet store) Or maybe you should adopt a cat from a shelter, or from another faily.

If your quest is to get a cat that you can show, a pedigree may be the best option, however, most organizations have a "household cat" category where you can show off your precious one.

Acquiring your cat from a reputable breeder, (again, a caution about buying a cat from a pet store, in the US at least, many of these cats come from kitten mills where the cats are raised in deplorable conditions) can have some benefits. Many breeders offer a guarantee, and you can research past generations for health issues as well.

Some cat owners swear by certain breeds with regards to a good temperament or healthy constitution, and the only way these folks can be guaranteed that they are getting exactly the breed of cat they want is by purchasing one that has accompanying documentation. For some people, this is the only way they would consider bringing a cat into their home.

Adopting a cat does not reduce the possibilities of getting the kind of cat you are wanting. All kinds of cats in just about all breeds are available for adoption. A plus to adopting a cat that has had a previous owner is that they are already litter box trained, and it is easier to get a feel for their personality when they are past the kitten stage.

Some cats at shelters come with a full history, such as if they deal well with young children orwith other pets. There is also a great feeling that can come with adopting a cat since some cats that are never adopted wind up euthanized by the shelter. There simply isn't always enough room for all the cats in the shelter, so sometimes there is no other choice. By adopting a cat, you're saving the cat's life.

Not all adopted cats come from shelters. Some people have to give their cats away for whatever reason - allergies develop, moving to another city, financial problems - so if you peruse the pet ads within a local newspaper you'll probably find an impressive selection of cats looking for new homes.

The advantage of adotping a cat from the shelter is that the cat will have had it's health evaluated. Adopting a cat from a family mean you have no idea if there are underlying health problems.

Some struggle with the decision of whether to rescue a cat at the shelter, or to purchase one from a breeder. Rest assured that once you do decide to get a cat, one will find you. Cats are just like that. You can start your search, investigating your options, and before you know it "your" cat will appear.