Adopting a kitten - When's a good time?

[AYoungForeignBrit]

I'm really interested in adopting a kitten or a young cat. Of course, my teen siblings would rather we adopt a kitten for its cuteness.

I need some help into persuading about practicalities! I live in an adapted house with a through-floor lift and soon will be getting a spacious adapted kitchen. I also have 3 wheelchairs ( 2 electric and one manual) which (hopefully) will be put in a new wheelchair-shed when it's built.

Whilst the shed won't be too much of a bad thing, I just worry about the kitten and whether we should get one before while it's still kitten season or after the adaptations are finished. We don't know when they'll be approved by planning permission let alone built.

Also, where's a good place for kittens? Do bluecross not post normal-temperamental kittens since I've not seen any online? I live in London.

Any ideas?

I would be very cautious about a kitten bearing in mind the potential for accidents in your house. I have visions of a curious little kitten being crushed under the lift. An adult cat should be better for looking after itself. The teens may prefer a kitten to an adult, but a) kittenhood doesn't last that long then you have another possibly 18-20 years of adulthood, and b) I don't know if they have any idea of the sheer destructiveness of kittens (MUCH worse than puppies) but wrecked gaming systems, shredded clothes, chewed shoes etc soon put young people off them!

I also wouldn't bring a cat, especially a young one, into a house that's having major work being done anytime soon.

I'm guessing that though it's kitten "season", many rescues won't be advertising them as such as they will have a waiting list anyway - at the rescue I got mine from almost exactly 2 years ago, they had 3 litters which had all been reserved lomg before they were old enough to go to their new homes.

I wouldn’t get a kitten if you are planning lots of building work.

You can either adopt from a rescue if you are patient. You do have to check a lot. Or you can buy from a breeder who have kittens year round.

"Kitten season" will go on for ages still, my last foster kittens from last year's lot were still with me in November!

I agree about the building work, though, and potential safety issues with the wheelchairs and lifts.

I think it'll be better off for us to adopt one when all building works are done and wheelchairs are out of the living area. Good to know that kittens are around for a lot longer than expected!