So if you can't rescue, where do you find a kitten/young cat?

[AygoHomeNow]

I've always rescued my animals, but am having a nightmare time finding a kitten or young cat (has to be young as my 11 year old tabby can be feisty If feeling threatened and will accept a baby better.)

I'm on the waiting list at every rescue within 30 miles but there is nothing, which is good I guess! Any younger cats that come in can't live with another cat or a dog, so that's out.

I know that you shouldn't buy from preloved, pets4homes etc but where else can I look? I've called the local vets to find out about any local litters, posted on Facebook local groups...nothing.

Any other ideas anyone? I'm in rural Essex.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Have you tried Celia Hammond?

[madcatladyforever]

Pets 4 homes.

[drspouse]

Why can't you wait?
We got our 18 month old cat from CPL, everyone wanted kittens (including, apparently, her previous owners).

[Allergictoironing]

Go on Catchat, that should list all the rescues local to you that have kittens available. There seems to be about 10 listings for Essex, and a few in Suffolk.

[DotTheCaddy]

I know its frowned upon on MN but I got my cat as a kitten from a Gumtree ad. He cost £25 and has always been perfectly healthy, he's now almost 6.

[thecatneuterer]

DotTheCaddy - it's not about the cat being healthy - it's about encouraging people to let their cats breed.

We have too many kittens to deal with, but then we're in London. The rescues you are with will find you a kitten eventually (although many may not be too keen to home small kittens singly). I think you should consider adult cats. A rescue will be able to find you a cat that loves other cats, and so that's half the battle won already.

[stophuggingme]

Considering all the warnings about don’t buy from a breeder rescue centres are full
If kittens they (Kittens) seem to be hens‘ teeth round here.
And if there are any they are feral, can’t live with young children or a dog or other cats, the number of tick boxes is seemingly endless

[minipie]

I would have thought an 11 year old cat could find a kitten very annoying.

Personally I would ask the rescues for a young adult with a meek personality that will accept your older cat is in charge. Chances are somewhere will have one, if not now then within a few months.

With a kitten you have no idea what their personality will be like once they are older, with a young adult the rescue will be able to tell you more.

In answer to your OP I don’t think there is anywhere reputable to get a kitten other than rescues, especially at the moment as people are paying silly prices for kittens so I bet a lot of people will have got in on the kitten farming act

[Fluffycloudland77]

They don’t want them ending up as dog baiting, the checks weed out the dog baiters.

[ClamDango]

Maybe your older cat doesn't want a kitten or another cat. Why are you getting another one.

[stophuggingme]

It is very concerning the amount of really cheap tiny kittens aged eight weeks being literally plastered all over places like gumtree and p4 homes

I don’t think it’s fair however to tarnish devoted hobby breeders- who genuinely love their cats and provide first class care producing healthy socialised kittens - with the same brush.

[OohKittens]

Don't ever buy a moggy from anywhere. People are making money from breeding moggys and passing them off as half breeds. If you can't wait for a rescue buy a pedigree from a registered breeder only but these kittens do cost a fair bit. I have pedigree cats (only pedigree if registered). No rescue will give to us and no way would I pay someone for a moggy.

[DotTheCaddy]

@thecatneuterer we have a rescue cat from a kitten as well, he was found abandoned with his litter mates and basically feral. He was (and still is) very nervous of humans though and certainly not the same cuddly friendly personality as our gumtree cat so I can see why some people dont want to rescue. It isnt always how you imagine it.

Gumtree cat really coaxed rescue cat out of his shell so having one of each worked out really well for us.

[AygoHomeNow]

Thanks for the links - I will look at Celia Hammond.

The local Cats Protection emailed to say I couldn't go on their list as a new branch has opened near me and they no longer cover my postcode. The new branch isn't rehoming yet.....

I've contacted every one of the other rescues on the CatChat list too.

In answer to why do I want a cat, we lost 2 very elderly rescues last year (both at around 20 years old) and the remaining cat is used to being with other cats - but hates NEW cats, hence the kitten plan. I've been on the rescue lists for a while but the dog/other cat combo seems to be ruling us out despite always having had both very happily and successfully!