Should You Adopt or Buy a Purebred Cat?

Cats are definitely lovable pets theyre independent and dont require much maintenance, just a little food, water and fresh litter every so often. Cats dont need as much attention as dogs who seem to need constant reassurance so they can be a great choice for busy parents or owners who work longer hours. Cats are usually content with being nourished and taken care of; however, you can gain their loyalty more quickly with a few ear scratches or mouse toys!

If youve decided that the time is right to get a cat for you and your family, one of the first things youll need to address is whether to look for a purebred cat or not. Very few cat owners show their cats in cat shows, so a proper pedigree isnt necessarily as useful as it is in the show dog world although you can expect to pay the same premium for a purebred cat. However, one of the major advantages to owning a purebred is that you will be able to predict certain cat traits, like size, temperament and life expectancy, in a way you cant with mixed domestic cats.

For these reasons, many families decide to look for purebred cats. However, the next major hurdle they run into is the question of whether to adopt or to buy the cat. Buying the cat outright can be expensive, and while adopting a cat may sound convenient, there are several things you need to consider.

If you decide to buy a purebred cat, your first concern should be to make sure that youre buying from a reputable breeder not a kitten mill that over-breeds cats in cramped and unsanitary conditions. Avoid pet store cats for this reason the kittens are often produced by kitten mills that operate more as for-profit businesses than loving homes for your kitten-to-be. Instead, ask your friends and family members for recommendations and pay a visit to any breeder youre considering. The home should be neat and clean, and the kittens you meet should look alert and healthy. You will pay more if you decide to buy a purebred cat, but youll also have the security of knowing that your kitten comes from a warm, loving environment.

Adopting a cat isnt an easy task either, as you may have to evaluate several different facilities that rescue cats and give them for adoption. As with evaluating a breeder, you should look for clean, well-managed facilities whose charges seem to be healthy and alert. Of course, even if you decide on a facility, you may need to wait some time before a purebred cat becomes available. However, if youre willing to wait to adopt a cat rather than buy one, youll only pay the adoption fees and vaccination fees much less than what youll pay to buy a cat from a breeder.

If you arent having any luck adopting cats from traditional shelters, you may also want to consider breed-specific rescue programs. These programs dont usually have physical locations like the Humane Society so you may have to contact the operator to make an appointment to meet their available cats. In addition, the adoption requirements tend to be more stringent for these programs some will even require a home visit before theyll approve an adoption! But dont be alarmed these requirements help to be sure you and your new cat will be a perfect fit for each other.