ummm hi!!

ok well im new here. and no i dont hve a cat yet. i'm planning to adopt one though. but i do hve a question for people who knows a lot about cats.

when i adopt a cat should i adopt one from a shelter or a pet store like petsmart??

well i hope u guys can answer my question so that i know wat to do . thnx and 4 now

Hello and welcome!!!

Check out http://www.petfinder.com They have so many cats and kittens listed. You can also see pictures of them and learn a little about their past.

A lot of the pet stores like Petco and places like that also have rescues.

yea ive been in that site so do u recommend adopting a cat in a shelter???

It would be most humane to consider dogs and cats from a chelter, since most are under immanent sentence of death. A good shelter will check the animals over for health and, if the animal is female & not spayed, give you some discount help with having it spayed.

Adult cats have a harder time being adopted than kittens, who have the cuteness factor working for them, (which leads us to forgive the most destructive learning experiences.)
I got the nicest cat of my life from a small shelter in Newport, RI - not the cat I wanted, bacause she was not the prettiest. (I needed a cat because we had a mouse.) THe shelter people pressed her upon me because they said she was so nice (and they lied about her age - I thought a kitten or very young cat would adjust better to our enormous dog.) They were so right, as she was a perfect cat, friendly & loving, (espcially to my subsequent new baby, who was not as gentle to her as she was with him.)
Now all but one of my cats are ferals whom I have more or less domesticated. (They all live indoors but not all can be picked up.) I would not recommend feral-taming for beginners.
GO to a shelter and see what cat falls in love with you.

I would check PetsMart to see if the cats they have there are from local shelters . I know the pets that they have at our local store are from a shelter. If that's the case, it really doesn't matter Hope you find the perfect one

Hi there,

I am new here- this is my first post but I'd like to consider myself pretty experienced as a cat owner (have 8 indoor). I KNOW I speak on behalf of a million people out there- DO NOT GET FROM A PET SHOP! =) There are 101 million reasons why but the major ones being that you would just be encouraging puppy mills. Puppy mills are places that breed cats and done to the point where the conditions are horrible, they are bred non-stop, they are contributing to the overpopulation problem we have. Millions of cats and dogs are killed every year in the shelters because they have no one to adopt them. I absolutely, whole-heartedly, beg you to NOT buy from a pet store! In fact, if you go to the ASPCA's website there's a section in there that talks about a Federal Act (I believe it is) to crack down on puppy mills. There's also a petition that tens of thousands have signed to crack down on puppy mills. Any reputable breeder would NEVER sell their animals to a pet store either. Someone also mentioned their health- which is very true. These animals are bred so poorly that you don't know if you're even getting a genetically 'healthy' cat. As sad as it is to see a poor cat sitting in the cage at a store- it's even sadder seeing the conditions they came from and that's what needs to stop. If you buy a cat, you are (without realizing it or not) just contributing and encouraging this awful practice. Definitely go to your local shelter- that's the best thing you can do! =) The next best thing is ALTER!!!!! And the next most important thing in the world.. keep your cats indoor!!! It is 100% the safest place for them! There's a link to a brochure that Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) that says it best. It's very disturbing but it's the harsh truth - and why we need to protect and keep the animals we love safe. =) I have a Yahoo group JUST for people w/ indoor cats. We strongly, strongly believe this is the way it should be and the only way to control the overpopulation. Read the Peta brochure- it talks about the horrible things that happen to cats either by cruel humans, other animals or cars. Cats are domestic and are not competition for the scary world out there that lie ahead of them if that's what you choose.

If you go to the following sites- just click on the part that says: download this "pdf file".

The first one about feral cats (which really is about any 'outdoor' cat):
http://www.petaliterature.com/prodin...tem=5&mitem=10

The second one is one I found on pet shops actually - definitely check this out! =)
http://www.petaliterature.com/prodin...tem=4&mitem=10

If you can't open PDF files, just go to www.adobe.com and download Acrobat for free. =)

Good luck and let us know how you make out! =) Btw, I think it's great that you asked this question - it shows that you care enough to do the right thing. =)

Teshia

the PetSmart here has animals from the local humane society up for adoption. I would not go to a regular pet shop though, mainly because if you adopt from a shelter, you not only find a companion, but you most likely are saving that animal's life. good luck in your hunt!

thnx u guys. yea ive read a lot about cats saying that it would b better to adopt one from a local shelter but i wanted to be sure and hear from u guys that own cats and know a lot from them. thnk u so much, u just made my day, lol. but we might not adopt one till next year cos we might move to a new place so i would rather wait till everything is settled than adopting a cat now and then move to a new place. u know. so thnx guys

Hi there - we're so happy to welcome you to TCS. I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay with us - we're one great big family and you'll find loads of friends here. If I can help at all while you're finding your way around TCS just click on my username and send me a Personal Message - I'll do what I can to answer your questions

It's great that you're planning on getting a kitty - you'll find loads of useful information on TCS about how to plan your home and your life for the arrival of an energetic bundle of fluff . I'm sure you'll make many friends along the way too.

thnx im really happy i found this site and i know there a lot of great ppl here willing to help answer my questions, lol.

I have used petfinder, where I found my dog. Petfinder also helped me locate a feral cat program to adopt some barn kitties a couple of years ago. Sophie came from a local animal shelter. My husband and I both agree, there are so many animals in need of adopting from shelters and human societies, it is the only way to go when looking for a pet. Good luck!

thnx and yup i used the petfinder too and there were so many kitties that i was interested in but like wat i sed i might not get one till next year

Hi there,

Depending on how long it will be before you relocate - your cats may be just fine. Of course this is if they're indoor (which is always recommended, I think I've mentioned that, hehe). They obviously can get a little anxious when the move is happening but it doesn't take long for a cat to settle in to a new place, just as long as it still has you and you're loving him/her just the same. =) Almost all cats adjust to their new home very shortly after arriving. Even cats that are introduced to new cats- they'll usually hiss and freak for a week or so - then after that (in most cases) they become best friends. =) So, if you really want a cat and it's not going to be any time soon that you move- I would definitely still consider. =) Good luck whatever you decide! I think it's great you're putting so much thought into it!

Welcome to TCS!!

thnx

Hope that you stick around to chat with us and learn about kitties even if you can't get one yet!

Hi and welcome to TCS!!!!!!!!

See you on the forums !!!

of course i'll stay. and im sure i have a lot more questions for u guys in the future just so that i know i'll b ready and sure of what to do . thnx for the warm welcomes u guys

a bit belated but...

Welcome to TCS

how exciting about adopting a kitten (even if it is next year - by that time you will be an expert)
seems like you have already got alot of advise so far, so i will look forward to getting to know you on the forum

welcome again and good on you for researching before you adopt a new family member !!