What is the best way to adopt a cat?

Question

I want a cat. Should I go to the pet store, the shelter, or wait for a stray?

Answer 1

you should go to a shelter like the aspca thats where i got mine.

Answer 2

There really isn't a best way, but i think you should get it from a pound of some sort. My cat was in a pound and the day i went and got him was his last day, and they would've put him down if I wouldn't have gotten him. He is a great cat.

Answer 3

The SHELTER by all means.

For an adoption fee of around $100 you'll get a cat or kitten that's already spayed or neutered, up to date on shots, deflead, dewormed and tested for disease.

If you get a cat or kitten from a pet store you'll have to cover all of those costs on your own which will run around $300 to $400.

If you get a pet from a pet store you'll also supporting "cat mills".  Most kittens at pet stores come from facilities that churn out kittens with little regard to their health and the entire focus on making money.  So not only will you have to pay for all the above items I mentioned but you may end up with a VERY sick or even dead kitten do to the horrible conditions it came from.

A lot of shelter cats originally were found as strays so I'm not saying anything is wrong with adopting one.  My gorgeous Persian in my avatar was once a six pound scraggly stray.  Just be sure you can afford all that needs to be done for it if it isn't coming from a shelter.

Please consider adopting an adult cat instead of a kitten.  I used to think you had to get a kitten in order to have it bond with you and other pets.  Percy the Persian completely changed my mind about that. And in the two years since I've had him I've adopted two more adults.  The three of them are the most loving, playful and cuddly cats I've ever known.  And they all love my 100lb dog and ferrets as well!

Answer 4

Well we have done both, but had the most luck with Pet Smart that get theirs from the local pet rescue groups. They give them all their shots, make sure they are well and are potty trained, on good food, etc.

We got two cats that were strays and they lived a very long time, but also had more problems and spent more money on bet bills with them then the ones I got from the Pet Smart. Whatever you do decide I hope you find one that can be with you for a very long time. The are wonderful creatures.  

Answer 5

There are tons of cats that are waiting for homes in shelters so I think adopting one from a shelter is a good idea. Most shelters will also provide vaccinations and maybe food and stuff included in one low adoption fee. You could also wait for a stray..but you would still need to 1) find out if the cat really is a stray or might belong to someone in your neighbourhood. 2) You would have to take the cat to a vet immediately and make sure it is healthy, doesn't have fleas, etc.

Answer 6

i got mine off craigslist

Answer 7

Check your city's feline rescue groups, they're always looking for safe homes for the cats they've taken in.

Answer 8

go to a shelter such as the spca or the humaine society.  this way you can rescue an animal and give it a second chance at having a good home while also knowing that it's been treated right and not abused.  strays and animals from pet shops or breeders are often diseased and abused.  if you find a stray, take it to a shelter, dont keep it.

Answer 9

1 I think Bob Smith is a moron who shouldnt have the right to comment on anything.

Secondly... Adoption is definately the best way to go.  I got my first cat from a shelter and she's the best.  If there's a PetSmart near where you live they have adoptions on the 1st and 3rd saturday of every month.  They also normally have cats in the store that are for adoption and have specific adoption days.  Shelters are also a great way to get an awesome pet.  Most of the time they have all ages and breeds.  My friend got a pure bred himalayan kitten from a shelter.  Alot of shelters have websites and you can look at the animals they have for adoption online without even having to go to the shelter!  

The only problem with waiting for a stray is that you don't know what could potentially be wrong with it.  Alot of stray cats have diseases that are hard to diagnose unless you're a trained vet so getting an animal from a shelter is the best option.  They come spayed or neutered and with all their shots.  And now shelters are microchipping animals which is great because if your cat gets lost and someone takes it to a shelter they will check to see if it has a micro chip and they will get in contact with you.

I hope you find an awesome kitty!

Answer 10

You should check out your local shelter for a cat or kitten you like.  Also, you might try Petfinder.com and search for a cat in your zip code.

Answer 11

I think that you should definatly go to the humane society and get one. That's where I got mine and shes the best cat I've ever had. I got one from the pet store years ago and she was like the meanest cat I've ever had but maybe that was just her. But you should to the closest humane society