I want to get a cat

[helo]

I really want to get a cat and my DH seems to be pretty amenable to getting one.

We both grew up with cats so we know we are not allergic and have a vague sense of what is involved.

I would like to get a rescue cat that is about 2-6 years, so not a kitten but not an old cat. There are lots of rescues near us so I assume that getting one will be pretty easy. We have a house with a garden and there are quite a few cats living on our street.

What do I need to do/know?

I am thinking we need pet insurance, to sort out vaccinations (how much do they cost?), to front line the cat and keep up with it, I am assuming a cat from a rescue will already be neutered. Obviously there is food, a bed and some toys but I don't think that will be hard to organise.

My parent's cats are actually house cats so I am not familiar with letting a cat outside, would we need a cat flap? Can we keep the cat inside at night? What about fleas, are these inevitable? Oh and do we need a litter tray?

How do you choose a cat from a rescue? Just go and have a stroke and see which one we like the most? How can you pick out a friendly cat?

Any advice is welcome :)

Vaccinations you don't need to arrange beforehand, you just phone the vet and sort out an appointment after you've got a cat. The first set cost me about £50 and then £30ish a year after that.

Most rescues neuter, sometimes they do get you to do it instead though. You'll also want it microchipped - that's about £20 but most vets offer a package deal with vaccinations or neutering if it hasn't been done already.

Cat flap or not is pretty much up to you, I don't have one, mostly because I don't have a handy place for one and I like to keep my cats in at night - cats on roads are harder to see in the dark, it also has the added bonus that they can't bring me unexpected presents, lol. They just ask to go out or in.

I think if you have a cat you should have a litter tray, I'd rather clean up after my pets than have my neighbours do it - but I know some people encourage their cats to go outside and of course some cats have their own ideas either way, lol.

My eldest cat is 8 and I don't treat for fleas, they've never had them either so I don't think they're inevitable - but you'd be as well frontlining on the offchance.

And yes, you talk to the staff at the rescue about what your lifestyles like, they should reccomend some to go and see, you wander round till you find one you like - friendly cats are, well, friendly...sometimes they can be a bit off with strangers, but the rescue should be able to tell you what they're like if they're being shy .