Acquiring a Cat

Cats are known for being independent, but the truth is that is you adopt a cat or kitten, it trusts that you will take care of it for the rest of its life, which may be twenty or more years. Remember: it is recommended that it is well thought over before acquiring a cat, to not make a hasty decision and one that will be regretted in the future.

A lot of owners claim to not have chosen a cat but that the cat just walked into their homes. Even if this is the case, to be the owner of a cat is something that shouldn't be taken lightly. There are a lot of important issues that should be taken into consideration. Try answering the questions below, they will help you decide if you are ready to share your home with a feline.

• Is your home, as well as your garden, safe for a cat?
• Do you live close to a road with public transport?
• Who will take care of the cat while you are away?
• Are you sure that none of your family members are allergic to cats?
• How much are you willing to spend? Keep in mind that it needs: food, a recipient for its excrement, control for parasites, castration, vaccinations, several costs if your cat should get sick or hurt, and possibly costs for transport if you are going on vacation.
• Are you picky with your home? Can you tolerate if the cat were to scratch the furniture and leave fur and footprints everywhere, with mud on them.
• If you are planning on having children in the future, are you sure you will still want to keep the cat?

Note:Socks was the "first cat" of the president of the United States, Bill Clinton. He is black and white. He used to be a stray cat. Now he lives on a luxurious lap and receives several bags of mail a day from fans.