How to Select a Feline Breed
The very first choice you need to ponder is whether or not to adopt a mixed-breed cat, like one from a shelter or someone you know, or adopt one that is purebred. In today’s world forty cat breeds are official by the national and international cat associations now. A few potential owners believe they want to buy a purebred kitten or cat. They have set aside the money (typically $100 to $1000 for the rarer breeds), and know that one or two cats are exactly what they are looking for.
Take a peaceful home; you may want a calmer cat. Good choices here would be Himalayan or Persian cats. Someone else might want a more spunky cat. One that could play with the solar powered garden lights. Then the Abysinnian or Siamese would be the cat of choice. It’s wonderful that you can almost predict what sort of temperament the cat will have when you opt for a purebred.
The majority simply go down to the nearest shelter and select a cat, and take it home, not really worried about how it’s going to act, it’s build or nature. Most of the cats in America and yes across the planet are adopted with little or no money like that. This means that globally, purebred cats are in the minority. Not all pets are like this. It is totally different from dogs. One third to one half of all dogs are purebred. One more interesting thing to notice is that dogs vary dramatically in size from breed to breed, but cats are just about the same size in any of breeds.
Sure, you’re going to get a cat, and it’s OK if you get a mixed-breed or a purebred, what criteria should you use to choose them? Ethically, let’s ponder this question through.
Consider this fact that cats are put to sleep by shelters each week because there are too many of them than there are potential owners willing to give the cat new homes. Think about this tragedy, caused by the ignorance and irresponsibility of today’s cat owners who don’t neuter their pet. The point here is that there are many cats and kittens in shelters right now who will be put to sleep this week if they aren’t adopted. Shelter cats are not less intelligent that their purebred buddies, and probably just as healthy - if not more so. They get out there and jump on your www.solar-yardlights.com, too! And above all, they’ll be just as cuddly and fun to care for.
So can you really choose a purebred cat knowing that so many common breeds are badly needing adoption? The number of purebred cats sold annually is a fraction of the amount of mixed breeds euthanized during the same time period. Purebreds will easily find a home and aren’t in jeopardy of losing their lives just because there are less of them.
OK, your turn…a decision that’s hard to make. Realistically, the thoughtful new kitty owner should not be so concerned about this dilemma. It goes back to the cat owner who if responsible the population explosion problem would soon be solved. Enough about the drama, you probably want to know what are their differences?
Cost is huge, know that the cost of the cat can affect your choice. Mixed breeds are practically free most of the time. If you’ve had a litter you know, the owner is probably thankful you took the kitten off of their hands. However it’s different if you go to a shelter, so realize that there is a $25 to $50 fee to cover the neutering and vaccines. Better yet, they will give you a lot of advice on the cat. Overall it is a pretty good deal.
Purebreds are different. A bundle of energy, they’ll still snag your solar landscape lights, but you get what you pay for with them and the more unique, the cost is more. Registered cats cost even more. Take the American shorthaired kitten, which might sell for $200, whereas the Sphynx could run as much as $2000. Don’t forget checkups and annual vaccines. You’ll need food and litter as well. And the trip to the Vet to neuter, that can run around $75. A few of the many certain unavoidable costs involved with owning your new cat.
