Getting a new friend for my surviving kitty

Hi, all - I had to have my sweet 9 year old Petey PTS in June (and thank you all again for helping me through such an awful time).  His brother, Pedro (also 9 yrs old) went through a really rough patch for a few weeks...didn't want to eat, and cried a LOT (just like me!), but now he's doing great. He has never been an "only child"...he and Petey were inseparable. I work long hours, and I hate leaving Pedro alone so much every day; he's pretty much glued to my side from the time I get home from work until I leave again. I want to adopt a new brother or sister for him - we have a wonderful shelter nearby that has a lot of available cats (no surprise there).

My questions are:

• Would it be easier to introduce a kitten, or another adult?
• Would he be more likely to accept a female, or another male?
• Is there any way to predict how healthy a rescue cat will be? Any specific questions I should ask at the shelter?

I've read through several of the articles on introducing cats, but I'm hoping to get some good first-hand advice.

Thanks so much! 

I would go with an adult cat with a similar disposition to Pedro. If Pedro is laid-back, then look for another laid-back cat.

Make sure you are willing and able to give both cats as much time as they need to acclimate. Also know that it's possible that the cats may not be best buddies. Though, if the adult has been raised around other cats and is well socialized (preferably from a foster home) they are more likely to cohabitate better.

I find that male cats accept both other males and females ok (so long as all are spayed/neutered.)

As far as health is concerned...
Be observant of the cats in the shelter/rescue on a whole. Is there sneezing, eye discharge, does the environment smell clean?
I think it wise to assume that the new cat (if a rescue) has been exposed to the common upper respiratory viruses (herpes and Calici.)

Best to keep the new cat isolated for at least 7-10 days and monitor for any illness that could be triggered by stress. Though, if you follow proper introduction techniques, the cats will already be separated.

Thanks, CatPack - all of your advice makes sense. I had been wondering if a kitten would adapt easier, thinking Pedro wouldn't be as threatened, but I bet an adult with a laid-back personality like Pedro would be great. Hopefully I can find one who's been socialized well in a foster home!

When I do adopt, I'm planning on working from home for several days and not going out of town for a few weeks to make sure all is well. I can keep the new one isolated in a spare bedroom for as long as I need to.

Thanks again!