need advice about getting a cat (or preferable a kitten) from an animal shelter...

[juicychops]

In general, what do i need to look for?

i want to get a kitten but thought rather than buying one i would rescue one.

Would prefer a kitten as i have a young ds so would want the cat to get used to a toddler whilst young and grow up used to being around children.

never rescued an animal before (except a hamster which died the other day of old age)

and i haven't had a cat since i was a child

advice greatly appreciated

if you go to the RSPCA or CPL they will help you to find a suitable kitten - they won't rehome unhealthy ines, they'll get them fixed up first. Otherwise, if it's a kitten you want, they will probably be able to give you very little info on its nature, but worth asking.

Do it! Second-hand cats are great

I have had my old moggy from Battersea Dogs' Home for 10 years now.

Contact your local Cats Protection League, RSCPA shelter or (if you are in London) Battersea -- they will have loads of advice.

When you go to the shelter, they will have little cards that explain every cat's personality and where they came from. You may wish to choose one that has already lived with children, rather than one that was brought in as a stray as you won't know its history. However, ime cats tend to instinctively steer well clear of kids anyway (mine certainly does!).

Kittens find it really easy to be rehomed but it can be harder for an older cat, so if you can rescue one you will save it from sitting in a cage at the shelter for ages!

The shelter will ask you questions like do you have outdoor space (not always necessary but preferable for most cats), are you away from main roads, who will look after it while you are on holiday, etc. You may get a home visit to check suitability. And you will probably have to make a donation (our mog cost £20). The cat should have up-to-date vaccinations and be neutered and microchipped.

HTH and good luck finding your new cat

Oh good luck to you - I would love one myself, but DP is allergic. However, my sister is in the process of getting a couple.

A couple of things, from her experience, in the last few weeks. Rescue centres will not let you have a kitten, if you are all out at work all day. And some are reluctant, if you have very small children. Some will insist on a home visit.

Visit their websites for their general adoption policies.

Good luck and hth.

thanks for the advice

im going to wait for xmas to be out the way first

my ds will love it!

i think it will be nice to have a cat around. dp doesn't live with me and i dont see him from Thurs round to Sunday so il have some company too

(god i sound sad!)

My Mum & Dad got their two cats from
Wood Green animal shelter They were most helpful.

Good luck with your search - i would love to get a cat or kitten from a rescue place but they all deem my road to be a "main" road and so won't give me one - will have to look out for one for sale....

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On one of the many occasions we visited a shelter, we went looking for a kitten, unfortunately they were all taken, we were going to wait until the lady had more kittens coming in, but this other cat just appealed to us. She meowed a lot and her face was very expressive [for a cat]!

She was 4 and we had her for years. Best cat I ever had, until Turner obviously.

Oh and the best tip I can give you if you do get a kitten is to try to keep his/her main meals to dried food and just give her wet food for treat.

I don't do this but will we hap as apparently its much better for them and they don't follow you around squealing for food.

If your ds is very young they may not let you adopt a kitten. We were told at the RSPCA centre near us that your children had to be over 4 at least to have a cat under 1!

HI, I used to run an animal rescue from home and we did homechecks and also offered back up for any illnesses which were undisclosed because we did not know the nature of the animal. If you get a kitten, we used to have it contracted thst the kitten would be vaccinated and neutered. Most places are the same and so you would have to consider the costs. Some places also offer free insurance for 6 weeks to 3 months.

In my experience...older neutered male cats seem to be better placed with children (not always the case) male kittens are normally the live wires.

There is still so much need to rehome older cats. We still get around 8 calls a week requesting rehoming for cats from 6 months - 10 years.