Where is the best place to get a young cat/ kitten?

[SunsetDream]

The cat's protection place is closed near me. I'm happy to buy from a breeder, but not from someone whose cat has had kittens and they are just selling them (I think there should be a license to breed to avoid unwanted kittens).

Also if you 'adopt' from the rspca/ cat's protection, they are 'yours' aren't they? They don't retain the ownership in some way (there is a chance we'll emigrate at some point and dont want this to get in the way - the cat would go with us).

Thanks

We've ended up with three places getting in touch about a visit. Is it ok do you think to go to all three?

Remembering that you can't choose from a photo and only in person...

One place only has one, but sounds 'perfect'.

One has lots, but on paper none are 'perfect'.

One has just a couple, but don't know all about them yet.

I don't want to mess up the adoption process, but don't want to miss out on our perfect friend!

They are all on opposite directions travel wise...

I think you should pick just one really. The chances are that all of them will have many suitable cats for you (they generally have a lot more than are listed on their websites), and it would be a waste of everyone's time to have three visits.

If the first one doesn't work out for any reason then certainly try another but don't just go for three straight away. Particularly as all rescues are very busy and home checks take time and money, I think you should give any of them that do come to you a sporting chance that you will take one of their cats.

Thank you. I've spoken to two of them (who only have one each that would suit) and they both suggested seeing both cats before making a decision. If one works out, then great, but if it doesn't then I'll speak to one of the next ones. They won't reserve any cat for us unless we have decided that it's the one for us. None of them do home visits until after reserving a cat, so they won't be coming out to us unless they know we will be taking a cat from them.

Which is the Yorkshire cat rescue? I've seen several with similar names, but was wondering which was the one with the Mumsnet connection.

Sunset I think going down the rescue route is the best and most responsible way to offer a cat a home. Short haired cats are far less work in terms of poo sticking to fur, grooming, and overall shedding.

DP and I foster and we are currently on cat number 4, ranging in age from four months to two years old. Older cats are infinitely less work in terms of being calmer, more predictable, and already litter trained etc. Our foster coordinator arrives at our house with a cat, and we usually have no idea of what is coming - we open the carrier and discover ehat's inside. If we were able to offer a cat a forever home then we would have adopted all four!

They are completely different to dogs, and I feel it is less important to try and figure out their temperament. They have a personality, and everything is on their terms. You don't own a cat, they choose to stay with you as long as you provide a favourable environment for them. DP is much more of a dog person, but the cats love him, and he feels he learns something about cat behaviour everyday. Good luck adopting a cat - black ones find it hard to get adopted, don't forget them!