When to adopt new cat(s)?

[stella1know]

Our darling cats died far too early aged 13 (nervous system problems) and 14 (heart weakness or a broken heart) in 2018 and one this April in lockdown. We have been in mourning and I will in a way always mourn their loss.
We would like to offer our home and garden to new cats (not tiny kittens though) we have idyllic space and love and time as I am not working at the moment or another few years (long European maternity leave with toddler). Kids are 10 and 3. And we love cats.
Are there lots of cats looking for homes right now? We aren’t Cats-for-Christmas people and are not in a hurry. I don’t know whether to ask the Tierheim (we are in Germany) now or wait until after Xmas when lots of people will have abandoned their pets.
Any experiences or tips? There is a cat-shaped hole in our lives, and whilst we can never replace our lost ones, we have a home to give and can afford vet care (hopefully not another chronic illness through, we spent several thousand on vetinary hospital overnight stays and medical care, despite insurance. I know you cant know in advance though.)
Any tips appreciated. Apologies for the waffly post.

I'd ask your local rescue now. We adopted one of our cats from a rescue last November and he was great fun over the winter. He was about a year old and it's a great age to adopt them because you have an idea of their personality.

Here he is "helping with the Christmas tree"

Oh he is a cutie. He is so lovely and looks very happy.

We adopted out cats at this time of year 2 years ago. When I felt ready for a new cat, I checked the rescue website until "my" cats appeared.

Adopted our cats. I didn't give them away!

If you develop a relationship with your local rescue you can work together to find the right cats. Is fostering an option? We did that over Christmas one year and while she wasn't the right cat for us, we able to give her a glowing reference for her next owners.

If you’re ready then go for it. It’s different for each of us.

@TheLongRider that’s not a cat it’s a cat supermodel.

@TheLongRider theoretically yes, but we would fall so deeply in love that giving a cat back, even if mildly unsuitable, would be heartbreaking.
I will call up the shelter and ask. They don’t often update their website and have only a dozen cats on there, but more on instagram, the ones that are hardest to adopt probably.

Tbh after the 3 years over which we had lots of vet visits for the cats, first one, and then the other, x-rays, injections, painkillers, pancreas scans, blood tests, lung pumping, and 3x daily heart medicines (I am really experienced with pill-dispensers now), then two cat deaths and burials, I am looking for an easy ride for now, even if it is a bit cowardly.