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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Where do I buy a kitten?

61 replies

BorisJohnsonsHair · 21/02/2023 21:06

I'd be happy to get a rescue cat, but DS has his heart set in a kitten.

But I don't know where to start looking. Not sure I'd want to buy from Gumtree or similar.

Are there any reputable sites please?

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 21/02/2023 21:09

Rescues have kittens too. Just wait until kitten season and they will be inundated. How old is DS?

Diplidocus4 · 21/02/2023 21:09

Where are you ? There's a rescue by me in the Midlands that often has kittens ?

Original poster
BorisJohnsonsHair · 21/02/2023 21:12

All the rescues near me say they like to home kittens in pairs.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 21/02/2023 21:13

Well yes because kittens do better in pairs.

SpinningFloppa · 21/02/2023 21:13

Pets 4 homes, gumtree, I got mine on gumtree didn’t want to use a rescue

Eastereggsboxedupready · 21/02/2023 21:14

Why would you not want 2?

Rhino94 · 21/02/2023 21:24

There is a reason they say two! Please go to a rescue!

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 21/02/2023 21:24

Not everyone can afford two cats though. You do have to consider how long the kitten would be on its own during the day.

Coffeellama · 21/02/2023 21:26

What worries you about gumtree?

squashyhat · 21/02/2023 21:26

The right time to get a kitten for DS is when DS is prepared to look after it for the next 15 years or so.

SpinningFloppa · 21/02/2023 21:28

Not everyone wants two cats I have one and there’s no way I would want another. One is enough!

redbigbananafeet · 21/02/2023 21:35

Coffeellama · 21/02/2023 21:26

What worries you about gumtree?

Unregulated breeders that exploit their family pet to make profit with no regard for the health and well-being of the cat or their kittens?

AwkwardPaws27 · 21/02/2023 21:35

Many rescues do prefer pairs (as then they have a playmate and are less likely to use their claws on you!) but I adopted my younger cat as single kitten from the RSPCA so they might be worth a look?
I did already have an adult cat though, I'm not sure if that was a factor.
I wish I'd got two though, love him to bits but he was a spikey pain in the bum as a kitten!

Where do I buy a kitten?
Sandsnake · 21/02/2023 21:36

Sorry to jump in but why two? We’re thinking about a kitten but were planning on one this time. We got our old cats as brother and sister kittens. Whilst it was lovely when they were kittens we think the bigger one bullied his sister quite a lot as they got older. She was always out and rarely spent time with us, which we assumed was her nature. It was only when our boy cat died that she suddenly became a sofa loving house cat and was SO much happier. So we thought maybe best to get one this time as cats are quite solitary creatures. But if rescues prefer you to take two I’m thinking there must be a sound reason for that?

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 21/02/2023 21:48

Rescues prefer you to re-home in pairs because overall, it's much better for them to have a playmate.

They learn things like appropriate play and body language - and it also means they have company when you go out as well as overnight.

It also makes things much easier for you because they have someone to play with and don't terrorise you quite as much Grin

We've had solo kittens as well as pairs and I would always recommend pairs.

JT69 · 21/02/2023 21:53

The animal cruelty on scum tree is sickening . Poorly kittens sold on, kittens bought for bait, encouraging dodgy breeders with no thought to animal welfare. No animal should be sold in this way. Support rescues who are picking up the pieces

CherrySocks · 21/02/2023 21:57

RSPCA - kittens and cats of all ages

Sunriseinwonderland · 21/02/2023 22:17

My adult DS bought one round. Can you take her mum. Can I take her? 😂😂
His next door neighbour's cat had kittens by mistake and they had to rehome all the kittens. My older cat loves her.

EmmaEmerald · 21/02/2023 22:19

You can get kittens at a rescue but even if you are allowed one, you might accidentally end up with three, this happened to my friend. In the beginning they lived behind the sofa. Now he gets home from work and has to stop them hogging the sofa!

Sandsnake · 21/02/2023 22:20

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 21/02/2023 21:48

Rescues prefer you to re-home in pairs because overall, it's much better for them to have a playmate.

They learn things like appropriate play and body language - and it also means they have company when you go out as well as overnight.

It also makes things much easier for you because they have someone to play with and don't terrorise you quite as much Grin

We've had solo kittens as well as pairs and I would always recommend pairs.

Thank you! Really helpful 👌🤐

Sandsnake · 21/02/2023 22:21

Ignore the weird zip mouth emoji, no idea how that got in there!

userxx · 21/02/2023 22:22

SpinningFloppa · 21/02/2023 21:13

Pets 4 homes, gumtree, I got mine on gumtree didn’t want to use a rescue

Absolutely do not use any of these. Fucking hideous sites.

AnnaMagnani · 21/02/2023 22:28

Kittens are much happier in pairs - as are their owners as the kittens play with each other and less with your furnishings. They do get fed up of each other age about 2-3 (one of ours was clearly delighted her sister had died) but we've always been able to manage any outbreaks of bullying.

Rescue every time - they are a bargain from rescue as they are already neutered, microchipped and vaccinated.

Or if not rescue, from a neighbour.

Never a selling site - bonkers prices as they are all backroom breeders.

Tygertiger · 21/02/2023 22:32

I’ve had single kittens and pairs and would go for a pair, every time. So much easier. They entertain each other rather than shredding your curtains and everything in sight. Wait another couple of months and rescues are inundated. You might be able to get your name down now on a waiting list for a pair, and keep an eye on local rescue FB pages. Mine is always sharing photos of adorable kittens but three cats is sadly enough 😢

StarDolphins · 21/02/2023 22:37

redbigbananafeet · 21/02/2023 21:35

Unregulated breeders that exploit their family pet to make profit with no regard for the health and well-being of the cat or their kittens?

Show quote history

Absolutely this.

Added to this, A LOT of kittens on Gumtree are riddled with disease & illness- my local rescue has just taken 1 on from a lady that bought a kitten off there & it’s so poorly, needs hundreds in vets bills spending on it.

Rescues have kittens & it’s nearly kitten season. There are also 6 month etc old ones that are still really playful but don’t need to go as a pair.

rescue cats are often health checked too.