Kittens are simply gorgeous. A playful, fluffy, and entertaining mixture of pure energy and deep sleep, few people could resist a cuddle with a kitten. The pedigree cat market is relatively small, compared to the market for pedigree dogs, partly because regardless of the breed, cats’ personalities and temperaments are all equally unpredictable and comparatively few people are concerned with their cats’ appearance. On the other hand, you can always find kittens for sale as a result of unplanned pregnancies since many people do not get their cats spayed or neutered.
This constant supply of kittens in a market already overflowing with unwanted cats and kittens is needless and contributes to the huge problem of overpopulation in cat rescue centers. There are more cats and kittens in animal shelters across the country than there are homes willing to adopt them and more kittens are born every day. The first message of this article is therefore to stress how important it is to have your cat or kitten neutered or spayed.
The second is that if you do not already have a kitten or cat and would like to give a home to one or two then please consider adopting rather than buying and remember (as obvious as it is) that cute fluffy kittens do grow into cats – so be prepared for a commitment of around 15 years or even longer to your new pet. Cats are usually considered less expensive to own than dogs, partly because they eat less and partly because the associated vet fees are usually lower for cats than for dogs. However, there are several routine costs that you will need to pay throughout the life of your pet.
If you adopt from the RSPCA your kittens will already have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped, and treated for parasites. You will need to take them for regular check-ups and preventative parasite treatments as well as for annual vaccination boosters. If your cat becomes ill or is injured then you will need to pay for their treatment (or take out a pet insurance policy to spread the cost and avoid a hefty lump sum payment).
There are time commitments involved too: you must be prepared to play with and groom your kitten regularly and you may find that you have less inclination or incentive to do so when your kitten becomes a cat. For one thing, cats can easily become lazy and not want to approach you to ask to play. But with a bit of string and a scrap of paper tied to the end, you can entice even the most lethargic cat into a bit of energetic play. Cats may also have their own views on whether or not they want to be groomed and those views may conflict with your own and this can be difficult to manage effectively.
If you adopt from the RSPCA then you get the benefit of expert advice and opinion to help you through any teething problems you may experience. Ask questions and listen carefully, and then reap the rewards of being a responsible, happy cat owner.
