Where to Get Your Cat

There are four main ways to get a cat:

Your local animal shelter likely has a selection of homeless cats and kittens available for adoption for a nominal fee ($25–100). Shelter cats are generally well cared for and are a great choice as long as you don’t care about breed or pedigree. Moreover, by adopting you help an animal in need.

Breed rescue groups help place unwanted purebred cats in good homes. Each group specializes in a specific breed. These groups are a great choice if you want a particular breed without paying the high prices that breeders charge. To locate a group near you, consult the Cat Fanciers’ Association Purebred Rescue website: www.cfapurebredrescue.org.

Cat breeders produce cats that conform to the breed standard, or main traits, of a particular breed. Though buying from a breeder is the most expensive way to get a cat, it’s also the surest way to get a cat that meets your expectations in terms of care and personality. To find a reputable breeder, contact your veterinarian or a local cat rescue group, or look online at www.breedlist.com.

Kittens sold in pet stores generally come from commercial breeding facilities where they often don’t receive the proper care and socialization they require. Avoid them.