| Now that you have decided you want a cat as a | | | | your lap to examine him. |
| pet and have chosen the type of cat you would | | | | Kittens and cats can be found abandoned and |
| love to have, you need to make sure you find | | | | hiding under cats or bushes. They can be acquired |
| the right cat from the right place. | | | | from local animal shelters or by contacting cat |
| When you choose that special kitten or cat, you | | | | rescue groups. These sources, however, will not |
| want him to be as fit as possible. His eyes should | | | | be able to provide you with details of the cat's |
| be clear. His nose should not be runny. Run your | | | | parents, ancestors, or any possible hereditary |
| hands gently down his back and across his hips. | | | | defects. |
| He should have enough flesh covering him that | | | | Local newspapers and notices on veterinarians' |
| you do not feel his backbone and hip bones. | | | | bulletin boards may also list available kittens and |
| His coat should feel clean. If your cat is a | | | | cats. Pet stores are another source. Before |
| shorthair, his coat should lie flat and not be dull | | | | purchasing a kitten or cat, be sure to check that |
| and open, and if he is a longhaired cat, it should be | | | | he is fit and healthy. Do not forget to take a |
| full bodies and not dry. He should not have bad | | | | peek inside his ears to make sure he does not |
| breath and ideally should have no odor. In a kitten, | | | | have ear mites. |
| especially, lightly finger his stomach to make sure | | | | If the house or the litter pans are not clean, then |
| it is not distended or out of proportion to the rest | | | | the chances are high the kitten will not be clean |
| of his body. | | | | either. |
| When handling a strange kitten or cat, do not pick | | | | Be sure to receive a record of your kitten's |
| him up and hold him in the air. This often frightens | | | | vaccinations. If you are acquiring a pedigreed cat |
| him and he will react by crying and trying to | | | | for breeding, you will need his pedigree and |
| escape. Stoop down to his level and place him on | | | | registration certificates as well. |