1. Nowadays a cat’s average length of life is 15 years. Are you willing and able to take the responsibility for a living creature dependent on you for that long? If you plan to start a family, will you be willing to keep the animal as part of your family? Or, if your relationship came to an end, would one partner be able to take responsibility for the cat? Elderly people should make provision for their pets. Registers are available of residential homes, sheltered accommodation and nursing homes which accept pets belonging to the residents. There are specific groups with whom you can arrange to care for your pet after death.

2. Are you allowed to have pets where you live? Are you likely to be moving? It is often difficult, especially in inner city areas, to find accommodation that allows pets.

3. Can you afford to have a pet? Apart from the cost of food, your cat will need vaccinations and annual boosters and, if you have a kitten, it will need neutering at 6/7 months. You can sometimes apply to a charity for cheaper rates for these essential veterinary items. You will also need a strong, safe cat-carrier basket. It is advisable, especially for people on low income, to make provisions for maintaining a pet insurance policy that will cover veterinary emergencies.

4. Make sure you get an animal that suits your life-style. If you are at work all day, do not consider getting a tiny kitten which will need more attention than you can give it. Don’t be self-indulgent and don’t try to squeeze the animal into fitting in with your life-style. Any adapting necessary should come from your side.

5. If you live on a dangerous road or in a tower block, please consider having a totally “indoor cat”. Animal Aid & Advice often need to home adult cats who have never been outside and so would not miss going out.

6. If you feel you can give a cat a steady, secure home, please acquire the animal from Animal Aid & Advice or a similar rescue group rather than a pet shop or newspaper advertisement. Apart from your giving a needy animal a home, Animal Aid & Advice will afford you the following benefits:

1. Back-up with advice, and vaccinations and neutering at charity rates.
2. You are giving a donation, which will help other needy animals, rather than encouraging owners and businesses to breed for profit.
3. A guarantee to take back the animal during its lifetime should you genuinely not be able to keep it any longer.
4. Expertise to help you choose the right animal for your situation.

Petal says, "More kittens like me need homes."

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Email: AAandA@ic24.net