Getting a Pair of Kittens

I always had cats in the house when I was growing up. I also had a kitty once I moved out on my own but she moved in with my mother after I had children. Now she's their cat and I miss having kitties around.

My question is, does anyone have experience with adopting kittens in pairs? Is it better for them to grow up with a buddy? It's kitten season, and I'm dying to adopt. The shelter usually has a buy one get one free deal for adoption fees in the summer.

I'm also considering adopting an older cat by itself. I really want a lap cat and at least with an adult their personality will already be established.

 

All the cat advice articles I have read have said that it's a good idea to adopt more than one cat, so they can keep each other company while you're at work.

You should definitely take advantage of the shelter's buy one get one free deal as it's a chance to adopt 2 cats that will be companions and playmates to each other. Think about it, if you were a cat, wouldn't you be lonely if your human was gone all day and only came home to play with you at night?

Regarding your second comment, older cats can be very sweet and make great lap cats. And you would be giving a second chance to an older cat that might die of old age in a shelter, because people usually want kittens.

 

I have a friend who did not hesitate as well to take advantage of the buy one, get one free offer! A lot of great shelters also will have them checked ahead of time for diseases and may even give them shots and things I've heard. So it is definitely worth it! Just as ACSAPA points out it is a great idea to adopt two together so they can keep each other company.

Better yet, often times there will be siblings at shelters from the same liter, that is what my friend did. She found a pair who were siblings and kept them together. They are adorable and quite fun! I definitely think if you're comfortable with them being around kids you should go for it!

Older cats aren't a bad option either because they can be a little more laid back if you have smaller children. Not to mention they can usually do okay with some daily solitude since they've come into their own. I also tend to lean more towards adopting older ones because I feel bad that kittens are typically the first to go, most of the time people want to raise them themselves.

I think it would be hard to go wrong here! Looking forward to hearing about your new addition to the family one day!

 

It's true that a lot of shelters have the cats, vaccinated and spayed/neutered. The Humane Society sometimes offers microchipping for cats and dogs at only $25 ,which will come in handy if your pet ever gets lost.

Yes, I do hope nikema will keep us post on her new family members and maybe post some adorable photos.

It's always nice and positive to read about shelter animals finding a loving home.

 

I've never heard of a "buy one get one" on those sorts of things! That's a pretty neat idea actually.

And really, it's up to you. On one hand, it'd be awesome to have two kittens and let them grow up and bond together, and always have a companion. Then again, how many times do older cats get put down because nobody adopts them at all? And yes, their personality is already established, but that means they may not bond well with you like you want either.

My advice? Go to the shelter and see what jumps out at you. Prepare yourself for either decision and let the cat (or cats) choose you.

 

Sound and solid advice here. Great thinking Jessi! This is probably the best way to go about adopting a cat or kittens, whichever you would like. See who seems to develop a bond with you and your family. Especially since family is involved, unless of course the plan is a surprise, but it can still be surprising to get the opportunity to go out suddenly to adopt a cat! Children I am betting may be more likely to choose the smaller kittens, but you never know. Best of luck in this endeavor!

 

My local Humane Society has "buy 1 get 1 free" adoptions during the summer and it has to be a cat of equal or lesser value. So you can't adopt a $35 adult cat and get a $75 kitten for free. (There are jerks that would use that to get the $75 kitten for $35 and probably throw the adult cat away.)
It's a sick, sad world.

If you adopt a $75 kitten, you can get another $75 kitten free or a $35 adult cat free. At the Humane Society the cats have their vaccinations and are spayed/neutered. You can also get them microchipped for $25.

They also have a website, so you can browse to see what cats you might want to meet when you get there.

 

Oh! I never realized that they had a website where you could check things out ahead of time. But yes, I believe that is what my friend did as well, to be on the safe side and to be sure she got kittens in good health. I've always been the more adventurous type who picks up strays. I figure they all need homes either way, but for people who have the possiblity of small kids or other family visiting getting one at a shelter this time of year is great. I will definitely have ot remember this ACSAPA! I'm assuming it is the main Humane Society website? Are they at specific locations year around, or travel I wonder...?