Getting a kitten



Now for the really exciting bit - it's time to pick your perfect kitten! The first step in choosing a kitten is to find a responsible animal shelter/rescue centre or breeder.
Kitten adoption from a shelter or rescue centre

Animal shelters and rescue centres across the country are always searching for loving homes for cats of all varieties and ages, including kittens. If you’re thinking about adopting a rescue kitten, there are a number of things to bear in mind, and look out for, when researching the right shelter or rescue centre.
For example, shelters should be warm and clean, and staff should be just as interested in you as you are in the animals – it shows they’re genuinely interested in finding the best home for the animals they care for.
For more information on adopting a rescue kitten, read our guide on adopting a cat
Buying a kitten from a breeder
If you’d prefer to purchase a kitten from a breeder, have a good think about the breed that would best suit your family and, remember, pure breeds don’t come cheap! There are a number of things to thinking about when deciding where to buy a kitten.
The first thing to do is to contact breed-club secretaries for the breed you’re interested in. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), www.gccfcats.org, can give you a comprehensive list of breeds recognised in the UK, with links to their official breed clubs. Breed clubs may have a list of litters available, or they can put you in contact with breeders in your area. Pedigree kittens are generally available all year round.
It’s a good idea to check that your breeder and potential kitten are eligible for GCCF registration, as this indicates the breeder is following a code of ethics for responsible breeding.
If you’re thinking about buying a kitten from a breeder, you might want to do some additional homework by reading a publication such as Your Cat or taking a look at their website www.yourcat.co.uk. Cat shows are also great places to meets breeders and owners.
For information on buying a kitten, and advice on kitten care, www.icatcare.org.

If you’d like more information on Getting A Kitten or have any other queries, contact our PETCARE EXPERT TEAM