where do we get our cats from?

[lovecamping]

we've finally decided to get 2 cats in the new year. although we've had cats before, DH got them from his landlord yonks ago.

so where is the best place to get cats? who should i speak to? etc i know of battersea dogs home and pet shops but really do not like the idea of getting them from a shop ...

any advice would be great - thank you

Cat Protection - the charity ummm www.catsprotection.org is the best place we've found. They come check out you are suitable parents first though

Or rather www.cats.org.uk

We got two from our local Cats Protection and one from the RSPCA. Cats Protection have a website (cats.org.uk) where you will find details of local branches and rehoming centres. I would avoid getting a cat from a pet shop.

I quite certain i do not want a cat from a pet shop.

also just looked at the cats protection website and seen a pair of cats that want to stay together which seem perfect. they look so lovely and sad. they are 4 & 5 yrs.

given that i have a baby, VERY active toddler who will be wanting to pick them up all the time and a 5 year old ... what age cat should we be looking at?

Don't get a cat from a pet shop. If you really want a pedigree get it from a reputable breeder but, IMO, you can't beat moggies. We got two from the RSPCA 12 years ago - they were dumped as tiny kittens and hand-reared. We got them as soon as they were old enough to leave - about 8 weeks - and I can honestly say they are the most loving cats I have ever met in my life. Please don't go to a pet shop though - reputable breeders do not sell through pet shops and there are thousands of moggies of all ages, from tiny kitten to old dames, all desperate for a loving home.

You would be better with older cats because they are less likely to be skittish and more likely to be used to kids. You will have to promise the cats protection people to make sure you cat had a safe haven from the kids though (ours used to leg it upstairs whenever kids visited so no problem there).