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Step 1
Buying kittens from pet stores, who often support “kitten mills,” is irresponsible. Purchase your cat or kitten from a reputable breeder, or better yet, from an animal shelter or rescue group, so that an abandoned cat will have a loving home.
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Step 2
Kitten Mills
Pet stores often support “kitten mills,” buying cats to sell from commercial breeders who breed animals indiscriminately, with no regard for their care or any physical or mental problems that may be perpetuated by such breeding. Their only concern is to make money. They breed both male and female cats until they cannot breed any longer, then kill or dump them. Don't buy from them.
Pet Stores
Pet stores rely on customers’ pity for the kittens and the appeal of their sweet faces to sell animals. The odds of getting a healthy, well-bred cat are not good. Such kittens are rarely well-socialized and have been taken away from their mothers too early. Pet stores rarely offer guarantees regarding the kittens’ health or temperaments.
There is, however, an exception to the “Don’t buy from pet stores” rule. If you do find a pet store that works with local animal shelters and rescue organizations to place homeless animals, you might consider adopting one. Be sure that the cats are screened carefully. -
Step 3
Professional Cat Breeders
Reputable, professional cat breeders do not entrust their kittens to strangers, such as the staff of pet stores. They breed carefully, care for their animals carefully, provide medical attention, and choose owners with great care. Their primary concern is for the welfare of the cats, not for how much money they can make. -
Step 4
Animal Shelters and Rescue Groups
Animal shelters and rescue groups rescue cats and kittens that are abandoned or homeless and care for them until they can be adopted into loving homes. The cost of these animals is minimal and, if you purchase your pet from one, you will save an animal from euthanasia. -
Step 5
Before You Purchase a Cat
Before you buy or adopt a cat, be sure you know how to care for it properly. You need to know how to feed and water it, what kind of environment to provide, how to socialize it, how much attention it will require, and what kind of veterinary care will be needed over the years. Once you have this information, you can decide if you are ready and able to take on the care of a cat or kitten. Just for your information, house cats live many years longer than outdoor cats which often are killed by cars or other animals.
