Is this a stupid idea?

[readingrainbow]

We are buying our first house (completion next week, aaahhh!) and we've promised the children some proper pets.

Apparently kitten season is upon us, so I thought it would be fun to get a sibling pair if possible. However - spanner in the works - I've fallen pregnant sooner than expected. (am only 6 weeks)

This puts me out of scooping the litter tray, yes? (drats...) Are there any other precautions I should take? Is this bad timing?

We wouldn't be getting any cats until we are properly settled, but I was hoping to get a pet sooner rather than later so we don't dither for ages and make it something bigger and more overwhelming than it really is. Probably by the end of summer.

Should we wait until next summer, with a potentially crawling baby?! That doesn't sound great, either....

[readingrainbow]

Oh, I didn't clarify - we are planning to contact a shelter to find kittens.

[starsmurf]

Hi readingrainbow, congratulations on both the house and the prenancy!

I'm not familiar with all shelters but Cats Protection have a policy at most branches that they don't adopt out kittens to families with kids under 5. While kittens are very cute, they are also something of an unknown quantity, so you don't know exactly how they'll turn out, personality-wise.

You don't have to totally give up the idea of getting your kids pets. I'd recommend getting a pair of cats, rather than kittens, as you can then get ones that are fine with kids (and babies) and that you know get on with each other, rather than having World War III: Feline Edition enacted in your lovely new home!

Cats Protection do a home visit so you can talk over your best options with them. The home visit isn't so much a "checking out your home" as it is getting to know you. It then means they are able to match you with the right cats for your situation, rather than your kids setting their hearts on two cats that hate each other and can't stand children.

As kitten season means that the adult cats, especially pairs of cats, get overlooked, you may find that you get a lot of brownie points. And if you choose two black or black-and-white cats, they will love you forever, as they are often ignored in favour of "prettier" cats.

As for the litter tray, if you can't avoid doing it, then wear gloves and wash your hands very carefully afterwards. Cats can only pass on toxiplasmosis for about two weeks in their entire lives, just after they themselves are infected. You stand a greater chance of catching it from improperly washed veg and meat or from traces left behind by dog poop, even after the poop has been cleaned up.

[readingrainbow]

Thank you so much for your input. That's all fantastic info! I am not against getting adults at all, so I will make that clear when we contact them. Getting excited now!

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

Congratulations! Star has said it all better than me. All I have to add is take a look at www.catchat.org to find you local rescues. Someone on here put me onto the website and I discovered there were loads I didn't know about nearby. Good luck with your search!

[Vinorosso74]

I would contact Cats Protection as the centres around here are happy to adopt to people with babies/young children the only criteria is the whole family need to meet the cat(s). Also, ours don't do home visits anymore but you would still go through a lot of things with them.
Again, cats past kitten stage would be better as their temperament is known.
Good luck and photos once you have them please!