So, is this a bad time to think about getting new kitten?

[PurpleBlueAnemone]

The kids and I have been discussing getting a kitten for months. We have a cat already. She's 14 and leading a very quiet life on DD2's bed.
The debate has gotten a bit more serious since lockdown as I actually think a new kitten would give my children (older teens) something to focus on other than hours of screen time in their rooms.
But with the latest advice?
And where on earth would we get one anyway?

I'd wait for older cat to die.... A kitten will probably stress her out.

00100001 that had been our initial decision but now we're all around potentially for months we thought we could keep older cat un bothered.

In some ways it’s a perfect time, because small kittens wouldn’t be going out for ages anyway, but sadly in practice I can’t see how you would be able to adopt or buy one: all the rescue centres have shut up shop for the duration.

I read somewhere that there will be a lot of unwanted kittens around due to centres not being able to open.

I would be worried about the lack of fast and readily available vet treatment should you need it.

I would wait, we have been talking about getting a new cat for months because our cat has been very lonely since his brother died but all the shelters shut down the day we decided to go and look for one. The local shelter have reserved one for us to pick up when this is all over.

I think a kitten would be too stressful for an older cat.
Sadly, I think there will be an explosion of kittens soon (in numbers) as vets aren't able to carry out neutering at present. I have a feeling rescues will be overrun and also with the animals people bought off Gumtree and got bored with after this time is over.
In my view it's not a good time to get a kitten.

Look elsewhere on this site for info about rescue centres doing virtual home inspections etc. Apparently food and other resources are becoming short and they are getting desperate. Luck of the draw whether you live within a reasonable distance of one of these centres. Apparently several in the Greater London area.
You obviously love your old cat and are best able to judge whether you are able to manage homing a new cat without stressing him unduly.
Perhaps a good project for your teenagers tracking down an available kitten?

Relevant thread is. When do you think rehiring will start again?

I was looking on the CPL pages ( not looking for kittens , my two CPL cats would be most judgey)
They were discussing neutering very young - 10 weeks as opposed to the norm of 16 weeks . I'm not sure how old this video was , but it was a Car Centre , looked like the Vet was onsite .
Potentially could the kittens be neutered on site ?
The Vet + associated Staff wouldn't be able to keep the 2m distance but IF they had access to PPE and were able to use oxygen?
The kittens were given low doses of anaesthetic (because they are tiny) and recovery seemed quick. Then they would be ready to go , ready neutered .
This might be something they go do going forward because as Vino says upthread there's going to be a huge kitten population . Just think how many cats will be dumped for various reasons ( people moving, people not wanting them indoors, kittens escaping and getting pregnant . Potential for 1000s of feral cats )

Possibly if you've adopted before or had a Home Check, but there is still the issue of getting the kitten to you .
And yes , your old cat really has to be the priority . They might welcome a new tiny kitten. They might leave home

That’s When do you think rehoming will start again. Bloody autocorrect