Kitten for Christmas - where from

[BrassTactical]

Before I get shouted at, I know they aren’t just for Christmas but I have 3 weeks off work and Jan/Feb is work quiet time so illl have time at home to settle them in and do all vet stuff. Kids have been desperate for pets (we have horses but they can’t sit on the sofa), and no time for a dog.

So thinking of getting 2 kittens for Christmas, 2 so they can keep each other company when I am at work. Have a large house and garden and a back porch they can come in and out of when I’m out.

But where from? It’s been years since I had a cat and google just shows me a load of backyard breeders selling at £550-£1500

I’d like them already neutered but understand if I’ll have to get them done, will call RSPCA but loath to as they banned my parents for bringing back a puppy that was attacking my little sister (despite us having 2 dogs from them that were family pets for years).

Just looking for advice and any tips on what I need to do when they come other than flea/worm/vaccination/neuter etc.

Another vote for Cats Protection! Got my current and previous cat from them

I would look up all the local rescues near you, have a look on their fb or website or give them a call. There is the rehoming ban that a lot pf plaves do for good reason but i think if you phoned in advance amd explained that the timing is due to having 3 weeks off work to settle the cats in I think they would see the timing as in the cats best interest - they might come and visit you to check everything out first. Appreciate what others have said about tricky time of yesr for kittens but slightly older kittties will be so similar, and if theyre around 1 then your kids will still have the fun of bringing them up. Great you're avoiding breeders horrible to think how some cats are treated and rescues have so many lovely cats needing a home! Good luck! X

If you're in South Yorkshire, check out Sheffield Cat Shelter and see if they have any suitable cats.

I adopted my girl from there a couple of years ago. She's emphatically an only cat (she doesn't share attention!) but they do adopt bonded pairs

It might be worth trying local farms if you are in a rural area. The farm I work on is always over run with kittens. I've taken a couple home they have become lovely pets.

As you have horses do you have a stable cat (as opposed to an unstable cat , they all walk the thin line between a bit loopy and psycopath )

There are loads of ferals who will keep the mice down in return for a warm barn and some regular food .

YY to Rescue , I am on Gumtree, there are 'moggies' , litter trained and defleaed (no mention of vaccine and too young to neuter) for £80-£150 . People used to give them away when I was a kid (I am ancient though)

We got 2 young cats from Cat Protection. £80 /cat but they were neutered , vaccinated and microchipped .
And they knew their characters , it has been lovely to watch them relax and blossom .

70 that’s actually been driving me nuts because yes we have stables and I’ve seen loads of ferals needing just a space that I could take as well as the small one for the kids.

But my sister shares the horses and has a total cat phobia (she’s currently pointing out that clearly none of us love her enough not to get cats as I’m the last family member standing on the no cat front 😂), so she’s vetoed stable cats.

Completely ignoring the fact that all our cats our going to wander (and do from my older sisters) into the mousey heaven that is the stables.

Farms are a good call, I’ll put a FB post out, loads of my farmer mates on there thank you!

We got kittens in November from a local charity mirco chipped jabbed and netuered for £60 each. Had home visits the lot so worth it still support the charity were we can and love my cats.