Things You'll Need:
- Litter box
- Cat food
- Food and water dish
- Cat carrier
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Step 1
Research cat ownership to make sure that you know what you're getting into. Cats can be less work than dogs, but they still require care and a lot of attention. Search cat ownership websites for what shots a cat will need to get and what supplies you'll need to buy.
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Step 2
Figure out what kind of cat you want--whether it's a shorthair, a kitten or an adult cat. This will help you narrow your search.
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Step 3
Check Petfinder to find cats in your areas that are in need of a good home. Give yourself a lot of time to extensively search Petfinder's website. Set search parameters by selecting the animal you want, breed, age, size, gender and location. Leave fields blank if you don't know, for instance, what breed you want.
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Step 4
Look at the profiles your search brings up. Most have pictures and tell you the name, age and other details about each cat. Visit the cat once you find one that you're interested in. Make sure it will be a good fit within your household.
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Step 5
Prepare your home for your new cat. At the very least, you'll need a litter box, a food and water dish, a cat carrier and cat food. You may also want to buy some cat toys or some catnip. Some shelters will provide you with some of these things, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
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Step 6
Pay the adoption fee and schedule an appointment to pick up your new cat. The adoption fee is usually around $50 and covers shots.
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Step 7
Schedule an appointment with a local vet to make sure your cat is healthy. It may also need some shots, or you may need to get it spayed or neutered.
