The Cat Handbook. Karen Leigh Davis

for rabies and feline respiratory diseases right away, and follow any other vaccination plan your veterinarian recommends.

      • If the cat is an intact male, have him neutered to reduce the incidence of spraying and fighting.

      • In the case of a female foundling, it may be difficult to tell whether she has already been spayed. So, you may want to keep her inside and wait awhile to see whether she goes into heat or displays any signs of pregnancy.

       Rescuing and Rehabilitating a Sickly Stray

      If the cat you find is ill or malnourished, your veterinarian can recommend an appropriate treatment plan. If the stray appears to have a potentially contagious respiratory illness, you may want to consider boarding him at the clinic until he recovers, rather than risk exposing your other cats at home. This will also allow time for all of the necessary test results to come back.

      If you’ve found an abandoned kitten, chances are he may be dehydrated and will require fluid replacement. If the kitten was orphaned at a young age and is weak from malnutrition and neglect, you may be in for a siege of round-the-clock feedings every few hours, as instructed by your veterinarian. Newborns must be fed every two or three hours, and because they cannot yet eliminate on their own, you will need to stimulate the anal area with a warm, moist washcloth after feeding. Normally, the mother cat performs this duty by licking her youngsters’ bottoms with her rough, wet tongue. By about four weeks of age, kittens can control their own elimination. At that time, they also can begin experimenting with soft, solid foods (see page 76). Whatever the circumstances, your veterinarian can recommend an appropriate formula and feeding schedule.

      The outcome of such rescues is always unpredictable, and sometimes downright sad, but the rewards can be potentially great, as the survivors often seem to comprehend their predicament. Eternally grateful to their human benefactors, these rescued cats often turn out to be the most devoted and loving companions of all.

Buying from a Pet Store

      Although pet stores usually deal in purebred animals, some do take in unwanted mixed-breed kittens from local residents and sell them as a goodwill gesture. Others will house random-bred cats and kittens for local humane societies to improve their chances of adoption.

      If you consider buying a cat from a pet store, ask how and where the shop acquired him. Try to find out as much as you can about the cat’s history. If you’re not satisfied with the answers you get, look elsewhere.

      The staff should be able to tell you the age and sex of the kitten and give you correct advice on cat care. If you are satisfied that the staff seems knowledgeable, that the environment is clean, and that the cat or kitten appears healthy, then the pet store may be as good a place as any to acquire your new companion. Just make sure the written purchase agreement includes a medical and vaccination history, as well as a guarantee that you can return the kitten if he develops health problems within a specified period of time.

       What to Look for at the Pet Store

      Select a pet store that houses its animals in large cages comfortably furnished with beds, litter pans, toys, and food and water dishes. The accommodations should be clean and odor-free and closed off in such a way–preferably behind glass windows–that customers can look but cannot constantly disturb and handle the kittens.

Buying a Purebred Cat

      If your heart is set on acquiring a purebred cat, there are several advantages to buying from a private, small-volume breeder. If the breeder is local or near the town or city you live in, you can visit the cattery and see firsthand the environment in which the kitten was born and raised. You also can see what the dam (the mother), and sometimes the sire (the father), of your kitten looks like. Usually, other cats from the same bloodline are present to give you a good idea of what your kitten’s appearance and temperament will be like when grown. Also, when you buy from a small-volume breeder, you gain the opportunity to establish a relationship with someone who can share his or her experiences in raising and showing that particular breed.

      Before you buy, first research the breed that interests you in order to learn about its temperament, genetics, and care. Some breeds, such as the Siamese and Abyssinian, are highly active and energetic, while others, such as the Persian, are noted for their quiet, passive personalities. Make sure the qualities inherent in a particular breed match your own personal preferences for a feline companion. For breed-specific information, read books or call one of the cat-registering associations and ask for a breed profile.

Then, to begin your search for a reputable breeder, call the various cat registries and ask for a list of people in or near your area who breed the type of cat you are looking for (see Useful Addresses and Literature on page 188). Peruse the ads and breeder directories published in the cat magazines. Attending cat shows is an especially good way to meet cat breeders, because you can talk to them in person and see firsthand the quality of their cats. Some breeders advertise in the classified sections of newspapers or pin their business cards on bulletin boards in veterinarians’ offices.

      If the cattery is within driving distance, visit and observe for yourself whether the facility is clean and free of pungent animal odors. Also note whether the cats are kept in cages or allowed to run about freely in an area of the house. While it is not unusual for breeders to keep their studs caged or to confine kittens for their own safety when unattended, it is highly preferable to acquire a kitten that has been allowed to explore its surroundings and socialize with people and other cats. In fact, experts say that kittens gently handled by people at an early age tend to grow up to be better people-oriented pets.

       Questions a Breeder May Ask You

      Responsible breeders always try to make sure their kittens are going to good homes, where they will be wanted, loved, and treated well. A conscientious breeder will ask potential buyers certain questions that reveal a lot about a person’s attitude and knowledge about pet ownership. Expect such questions as:

      • Do you intend to keep your cat indoors? (Some breeders will not sell their kittens to people who want outdoor cats.)

      • Have you owned cats before? Was your previous cat spayed or neutered? (Some breeders may stipulate in their sales agreements that kittens sold as pets must be altered and not used for breeding.)

      • Did you provide annual medical care for your previous cat? What happened to your previous cat?

      • Do you own other pets now?

      Such questions are not intended to make you feel intimidated, insulted, or defensive, so do not feel offended if a breeder interrogates you in this manner. Instead, recognize that you have been fortunate to locate someone who sincerely cares about the welfare of his or her cats. Breeders of this caliber feel that each kitten they raise represents a significant financial and emotional investment. They want to help other people become responsible pet owners and expand their general knowledge of cats. They also want you to consider your cat as a valuable investment, a cat that will become your priceless companion and a member of the family.

       Questions You Should Ask the Breeder

      Here are some questions you should ask before the sales transaction becomes final:

      • What cat association(s) do you use to register your cats?