Price of kittens and cats

[Clappingforjoy]

I am interested in getting myself a cat but cant believe what price people are asking between 200 and 800 for a mixed breed.

Ouch - have you tried animal and cat rescue centers?

Try a small local rescue? I think kitten season doesn't start for another few weeks but come summer there will be lots of unwanted or stray litters. If it's an adult cat then rescues will have them year round - and you pay costs (maybe between £75-£150 depending on which rescue).

At least you will know they have been vet checked and wormed, and chipped/neutered (depending on age when you get them).

www.cats.org.uk/adopt-a-cat

Try Cat's Protection. I got my lovely rescue boy with their help.

Have you considered a rescue cat? My last rescue cat (2018) had an adoption fee of £80, which was no more than it would have cost to neuter and vaccinate him if this hadn't already been done (all reputable rescues will spay/neuter and vaccinate adult cats before adoption).

Paying huge prices for moggies encourages 'backyard' breeders which in turn leads to more unwanted cats in need of homes.

Not yet no dont get me wrong they should charge to get serious buyers but hell those prices are crazy and alot are not even vaccinating them etc

The shelters have some adorable cats and kittens. Definitely worth looking there instead of those who breed to sell

Don't buy a kitten or a pedigree cat, get yourself to your nearest rescue. You'll get a moggy with good health and a great personality.

I would definitely consider a rescue cat.
You used to be able to buy a moggy for £40

I paid £20 for mine

We got our gorgeous rescue moggy from CPL last year. They are doing a hands free adoption service - £75 wormed, deflead, chipped and neutered. Bargain.

In fairness, higher prices discourage the shocking act of using cats/kittens as bait animals for dog-fighting - but the bottom line is people should be spaying/neutering their mogs not breeding from them.

And vaccinated and 4 weeks Petplan insurance included.

They're worth what people will pay for them. You could always hang out round the bins at your local KFC and nab one

RSPCA - our kitten was wormed, de-flead, microchipped and vaccinated, with a voucher for free neutering for £110. He was also litter tray trained and socialised, he's an absolute delight and you get on-going care. My local RSPCA currently has about 30 cats for re-homing.

Get a rescue. If you’re not so bothered about what sort of personality you cat ends up with then reputable rescues will rehome kittens for a fee around the £100-£150 mark. Personally, I’d recommend getting a youngish adult cat though. The adoption fee is usually less, they are less trouble than kittens and their personalities are more set at that age so you can make sure you end up with a lap cat if that’s what you want. I grew up with cats, all came to us as kittens and out of 5 different cats there was only one cuddly lap cat, even though they were all very similar as kittens. When I got my current rescue I knew I wanted a very docile, cuddly cat. My cat was about 2 years old when I got her and was described by the rescue as a gentle soul that loves human attention. She is the cuddliest, softest cat I’ve ever had. My family are very jealous as their current cats are of the more standoffish, bitey persuasion despite being quite cuddly as kittens.

Definitely search for a local rescue.
I got my cat from a small local rescue 13 years ago. They had a lot of kittens there but I opted for a young cat- she was about 3/4 years old at the time and had been waiting to be adopted for 8 months as everyone wanted a kitten or cat that was not black 🐈‍⬛ .
Best thing I ever did she has brought me so much joy and still going strong after all these years!

Hopefully she has some years left yet but I will definitely be re homing another cat (or bonded pair) that are older/been in a shelter for a long time

Rescues are overflowing with kittens! Don’t pay an unscrupulous breeder who is contributing to the problem.

I brought my cat for £80 although she was listed as a Persian, she not. She’s mixed breed but it’s was the breed I was after anyway it was just a bonus if she had been a long haired cat.

So I got ripped off in terms of breed. She’s the sweetest, most loving cat in the world, and she black - get a black cat. People don’t buy black pets anymore, statistics says it’s because they do not photograph well.

Good points everyone, I've been looking for a cat or a kitten and the prices can be shocking ! We would love a rescue and happy to pay a couple of hundred for a healthy happy cat but as a family with two young children the shelters are not very interested in us ..

Got both of ours from RSPCA and they're gorgeous. I recommend an older cat because you know their personality already.

@Justgivemeamoment are there no local volunteer rescues that use mostly Foster carers? Where I live they are a lot more relaxed and understanding of families than the proper shelters.
They still do everything like the shelters do such as vaccinations, neutering etc.

all mine are rescues - I've got two during lockdown - both just under a year old - adoption cost around £85 - they are vet checked, vaccinated, neutered and insured for 4 weeks - would never buy a moggy from Gumtree etc - you don;t know how the mum has been treated or their health issues

£80 adoption fee for my recent kitten. (6 months old)

He was already chipped, vaccinated and neutered.

Please don't fund "breeders"

@Justgivemeamoment

Good points everyone, I've been looking for a cat or a kitten and the prices can be shocking ! We would love a rescue and happy to pay a couple of hundred for a healthy happy cat but as a family with two young children the shelters are not very interested in us ..

It just means you have to wait for the right cat - one of the charities I support currently have a cat that needs a family with small kids because the cat LOVES kids!

I'm looking to adopt a dog - have been for over a year BUT finding the right cat friendly cat takes time - be patient

We got our kitten last summer in lockdown, she was £150 (a moggy) and I thought that was a lot. Our previous rescue cat 10 years ago was £40.