New to Cats > Before You Get Your First Cat > Where should I look for my first cat?
Reputable Breeders
If you've enjoyed cat shows and are burning to show your own Siamese, Maine coon cat or Persian, you'll probably want to buy from a breeder. You may meet the likeliest candidates at a cat show, or call the local breed club of the breed of your choice. You'll want to learn all you can about that particular breed, so do your homework, starting with the CFA (Cat Fanciers' Association) or the TICA (The International Cat Association Inc.) These and other organizations offer loads of information on the breeds they recognize, as well as member lists.When you find a breeder, ask lots of questions:
- Inquire about seeing the cat or kitten's parents
If it is a kitten, you should be able to see the Queen (or mother cat.) It is possible the father comes from another cattery, so he may not be available. - Ask to see littermates, if a kitten is your choice
Is your first choice the "runt of the litter?" How does it interact with the other kittens? Ask the breeder why this particular kitten is for sale as a pet. - Request a tour of the cattery.
Watch for overall organization and cleanliness as well as the apparent health of the cats. Do not be concerned too much about strong urine odor, particularly around the male cats. They are intact, and with whole females around, may spray their territory. Having said that, most breeders will make a reasonable effort to eliminate spraying odor. - Get a copy of your proposed cat's pedigree.
You should be able to follow its lineage for several generations back. Look to see evidence its ancestors have been shown in cat shows (the titles will be evident.) Breeders with faith in their cats' lineage will almost always show their cats, and will proudly tell you about the cat's ancestors' successes. - Get a health guarantee and understand its meaning.
Many breeders will only agree to replace the cat or kitten with another one from the same cattery. Unless disclosed up front by the breeder, in the event your cat later shows verifiable evidence of a hereditary defect that prevents its ability to be shown, you may want a money-back clause, or at least a clause guaranteeing a sound cat as a replacement. - Read and thoroughly understand the terms of the sales contract.
It is a legally binding document, and conscientious breeders will enforce its clauses, particularly those involving spay & neuter and no declawing. - Retired Queens
If you are interested in a "retired" queen (she will have probably already been spayed, ask how many litters she bore over what period of years, before retirement. Most reputable breeders will retire their breeding queens earlier rather than later. - Get References
Ask for, and follow up on references from other happy buyers before making a commitment.
Again, expect to be under as much scrutiny as you are giving their setup. Reputable breeders put a lot of love, time and money into developing their line and they'll follow-through without hesitation if they think you're not living up to your sales contract in terms of food and housing, veterinary care, neutering (in case of a pet or retired breed stock), and vaccinations requirements and/or limits.
"Free to a Good Home"
Perhaps a neighbor or co-worker has a litter of kittens they're trying to give away, or you happen upon a classified ad in the newspaper. Consider that taking one of these kittens is encouraging the donors in their folly of failing to spay/neuter the parent cat(s). "We always find homes for them," is the standard excuse. Understand also, that each of these kittens displaces a potential home for a shelter cat destined for euthanasia.
If you've already fallen in love with that kitten, carefully question the owner about its history, whether it's had vaccinations yet, any illness in the litter--better yet, ask to see the mother cat in the home environment. You'll get a better idea of the conditions the kitten has been living in, whether there is any visible indication of illness in the rest of the litter, and the condition of the mother cat.
Next > Sources to avoid at all costs
