When you’ve decided to get a cat to call your own, the next big hurdle is finding her. After all, there aren’t just plenty of cats in the world—there are lots of breeds, prices, ages, and more to choose from. Even if you have a designer kitty in mind, you might be surprised which cat ends up choosing you in the end.
Shelters often have pure bred cats.
Shelters aren’t just filled with random mixes of breed. Pure bred animals regularly find themselves becoming rescues, so if you’re set on a specific brand of kitty, don’t rule out local pet adoption chapters just yet.
Does age really matter?
Kittens are charming, of course. But older cats have just as much love to offer, and they’re usually so delighted to have a place to call home that they make incredibly affectionate animals. If you’re on a budget, cats over a certain age (usually about 6 years) are much less expensive, plus often come with surgeries such as cat spaying and cat neutering already covered.
Shelter cats aren’t “bad” cats.
Lots of people assume that all cats at the shelter are street mutts, have behavioral problems, or come with hidden health issues. That’s not the case. Rescue animals usually arrive at the shelter through no fault of their own. Former owners have financial issues, unforeseen life changes, military deployment, or other problems that led them to have to leave kitty behind. These animals need a good home, and you could be it.
Designer cats such as hairless sphinxes can cost several thousand dollars. If you have a particular breed in mind but don’t want to invest the extra scratch, check out local shelters. Cats who are no longer “kittens” also come at a steep discount.
Be open to life.
No matter what your expectations are, life has a way of budging in and making its own demands. It’s good to have an idea of how your ideal kitty will look and act, but living creatures aren’t programmable, and cats especially have a way of knowing how to run the show. Check out this wonderful story of a couple who planned to adopt a designer cat and ended up with a rescue that redefined their expectations!
Have questions about which breed or type of cat is right for you? Call us at LazyPaw Animal Hospitals, or make an appointment with us online!