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How To Buy A Cat

Buy your kitty with confidence and prepare your home by thoroughly reading our guideline. Bringing home a new Kitty or Cat is both thrilling and, sometimes, overwhelming. Below we offer some tips and ideas to make adding a new kitty to your home more easy and smooth. Additionally, we have included some common questions new cat owners often have. Before bringing home a new cat it is important to get as much information as possible, ask questions and prepare your heart and your home for a new family member.

Do Your Due Diligence When Looking for a Cat

When you transact with a seller, you are working with an independent person or entity separate from GoKitty. We do not offer any guarantees. We do not pre-screen advertisers. Our automated tools help us reduce scams and we accept complaints with valid proof of wrongdoing. To best protect yourself from unscrupulous sellers, follow these tips below and by all means, research even more ways to protect yourself. You may want to start with a basic filter during your search: Check the "Member Since" date connected with the seller. The longer the seller has been a member of our site, the better the chance of them being a reputable seller. If the price is too good to be true, it could be fraudulent. If you are unable to see the cat in person before purchase (e.g.; online purchasing) use a method of payment with buyer protection. Buying a cat in person with the help of a friend is preferred. Reading our tips carefully is very important. Fraudsters typically demand a deposit using payment methods that don't have buyer protection (e.g.; Zelle, Cash App, Venmo's unprotected option, PayPal Friends and Family). Both Venmo and PayPal have an optional payment method with buyer/purchase protection so be sure you pick the proper option to best protect yourself against fraud.

Research The Seller: When adopting a new cat it is important to research who you are getting your new cat from. Whether through adoption or through a breeder, it is important to look into them, get references, check out the facilities and conditions in which they keep their cats and ensure your new cat is coming from a trusted source. Additionally, be sure to have a contract in place that covers all contingencies and protects your purchase or adoption. Any reputable adoption center or breeder should provide a contract when getting a new cat. We do not verify seller information nor prescreen any user. Protect yourself with making payment with buyer protection, require a contract with proper contact details, and if possible consider taking a photo of their license or ID.
Verify The Location of The Seller: Sellers designate their location within their account which is not verified. Be cautious - especially with online purchases - of sellers that tell you to make payment to another location or if they say the cat will be shipped from a different location. Some sellers may reside in the United States but will work with overseas sellers/breeders. Make sure the seller you are working with discloses where the cat comes from. Buying a cat online and overseas is much riskier than in person and requires that you take extra precautions.
Get A Health Certificate: Obtain the cat's health certificate and call the vet listed. Some laws require a health certificate at the sale (e.g.; Florida). Most congenital defects may be detected early on. It's very important to have your vet perform a thorough examination within a few days after you receive your new cat. Ideally, have the kitten examined by your vet prior to purchase. Though some sellers may only allow this after the purchase. Don't forgo the vet examination and health certificate. The seller's contract should contain a refund policy regarding genetic defects with a fair deadline to report your vet's diagnosis. It's important to do your research on the requirement. For example, the cost of a required autopsy may be more expensive than the cost of the kitten. You will want to make sure the requirement to obtain a refund for returning the kitten is fair. The contract's refund policy should protect you against the uncommon but often fatal FIP that may develop 3 to 6 months after purchase.
Get Pet Insurance: We encourage you to obtain pet insurance and take your new cat to the Vet within a few days after taking her home. Illnesses such as FIP can be very expensive to treat. The virus that causes FIP is very common among cats though FIP itself is rare. If your cat becomes ill within 14 days of receiving her then it's best to contact the seller to discuss your contract with them.

What is cat insurance? If your pet gets sick or hurt, cat insurance coverage can help reimburse you for treatment. Fetch offers the most comprehensive pet insurance coverage in the U.S. and Canada and pays you back up to 90%, making your vet bills more affordable. With Fetch, you won’t have to choose between your wallet and your best friend and it’s easy to give your cat the care they need to live their longest, healthiest, happiest life.

Get a Quote from Fetch
Verify The Seller's Licenses: Ask if the seller has a USDA license and/or a locally issued government license and research them. The USDA website has a search tools: Browse USDA breeder search tools now. Take a photo of the seller's ID, especially when putting down a deposit. If meeting in person, consider taking a photo of their car license plate. Breeders, catteries and pet dealers may be required to obtain a permit to be prominently displayed and/or shown to potential buyers. Los Angeles, California has detailed requirements regarding breeding and selling. Make sure you obtain the proper license information from the breeder or cattery as required by their local government. You should also find out what your local/state laws require when buying a pet. Please note that we do not require or verify licenses.
Buy Your Kitten At The Right Age: Make sure the kitten is the appropriate age to be separated from the mother. For most states, the minimum age for a kitten to be sold or separated from their mother is 8 weeks old. Some states will allow separations at 7 weeks of age. Check with your local laws to get the most recent updates. It is safest to only accept a kitten after their initial vaccination which is likely finished by 12 weeks of age. Kittens an older cats are more susceptible to FIP if they have been exposed to the virus that causes FIP and more so when stressed during the transition to their new home.
Understand The Pet Lemon Laws: Research the Pet Purchase Protection Laws in your state and the seller's state before purchasing a cat. If purchasing from a breeder, they should know the laws well. If they don't appear to know the laws or their contract does not follow the laws then you may not want to follow through with the purchase.
Talk On The Phone: Be sure that you can verify the identity of the breeder. Do not conduct the transaction solely over email. Talk on the phone with the breeder so that you can further verify breeder identity. Should the breeder claim they are unable to speak via telephone it is best to not go forward with the purchase or adoption of a cat from this breeder.
Be Cautious With Your Contact Information: Be leery of scam artists. When fraudsters gain access to your full name, cell phone number, email address or full address they will pose as a financial institution or a well-known organization in attempt to trick you into giving them passwords, security numbers or access to your computer. You may receive scam letters such as fake lotteries, get rich quick schemes and investment scams.
Make Your Payment With Buyer Protection: Use verified and trusted sources to make payment so that you have recourse should you encounter fraud or problems with the purchase or adoption of a cat. Never make a payment through Western Union, Money Gram, CashApp, Bitcoin or Zelle as your funds will not be protected should there be a problem. Both Venmo and PayPal have an optional payment method with buyer/purchase protection so be sure you pick the proper option to best protect yourself against fraud. PayPal's 'friends and family' payment option is NOT a secure method of payment. Make sure you pick the correct option. If a seller requests a gift card for payment please avoid them and alert us right away.
Watch Out For Bad Breeders: Ask to see where the cat has been kept. If a cat appears to not be well cared for, or the conditions seem poor, it is best not to go forward with the purchase or adoption of a cat.
Ask if the breeder is associated with any breeding organizations or has any affiliations. Depending on their answer, ask why they do or why they do not.
Verify The Seller Has The Cat: Ask for more pictures of the cat with a specific item (Ask them to write your name on a piece of paper and place it next to the cat. Beware that some scams use stolen pictures of cats even though they do not actually have a cat in their possession to sell. If a seller is unable to provide additional pictures with the specific items requested, it is best not to go forward with the purchase or adoption of a cat from this breeder.
Don't Worry: Not all online breeders are scams and, in fact, many very reputable breeders have websites and will conduct transactions online. By doing your due diligence you protect yourself from a scam and ensure you are getting the cat that you want from a safe and upstanding breeder.

Common Questions to Ask When Getting a New Cat

If, for any reason, I am unable to keep the cat, what is your return policy?
If the seller is a breeder/cattery: How do you protect kittens against contagious disease?
May I see the cat's health certificate from your vet?
What is the phone number of your vet?
Do you have vaccination documentation from your vet? Most vaccinations should be given by 16 weeks of age.
Are you currently treating your cat(s) for fleas or infections such as ringworm?
Do you have a contract with a return policy and a health guarantee?
May I take a photo of your government issued ID/license and car license plate?
Is the cat litter box trained? Kittens should be trained by their 5th week.
Can you describe the lineage of this cat's parents.
What are common personality traits of this cat?
What kind of lifestyle and habitat does this kind of cat prefer?
What are the common health problems associated with this breed of cat?
What kind of grooming does this cat breed require and how often?
At what age can a new kitten come home with me?
Do you have any references from people who have previously adopted cats?
Are you affiliated with any breeder associations?
Has the cat been spayed or neutered already?
What is the average lifespan of this breed of cat?
What kind of litter box and litter would be best for this cat?
What kind of toys do you recommend for this bred of cat? (Some cats are more active and playful than others, requiring extra stimulation)
Should I get a scratching post for my cat?
Should I get cat health insurance?

Finding a Healthy Kitten

It's best to meet the cat before making the purchase. If for some reason you aren't able to, make sure you have a return policy stated in the contract that allows you to return the cat for a full refund if the cat appears mistreated and use a secure method of payment that will ensure you get your money back. Reputable breeders inoculate at vet recommended times and should have proof. They may take their cats to a vet (which is ideal) or they may inoculate and worm on their own. Make sure to get proof of this from the breeder and also inspect the coat and skin before purchase. Also, report bad breeders when you feel the cat is improperly cared for. Below are traits of a healthy cat.

Good muscle tone
Clean coat and well groomed
No discharge from the eyes
No sneezing or runny nose
The ears are clean and pink inside
No bald patches or flaky skin
Warms up to you and plays with you at first meeting

What to Expect in a Breeder Contract

A full refund upon returning a cat with a congenital defect as diagnosed by a licensed veterinarian within a reasonable timeframe.
A health guarantee, which diseases are covered and vaccination schedule.
A description of the kitten you have agreed to purchase and the date of birth.
The date purchased and price.
An agreement to neuter/spay the cat or conditional breeding rights (which will likely cost more).
When registration forms will be sent.
Registration names and numbers of the parents.
The breeder's name, address, phone number as well as yours.
Your signatures and a copy of the contract.

Some breeders, "Hobby breeders", are not affiliated with a cat registry (e.g.; TICA, ACFA) and do not have registration papers for their cats. They sell kittens that are likely less expensive but should still explain the lineage of the parents ( to reduce genetic defects ) and provide all other items mentioned in the contract list above. Be cautious of the infamous "Backyard Breeder" that does not pride themselves in quality lineage and care for their cats. Don't accept anything less than a healthy kitten by a responsible breeder. Report those you feel don't provide the standards of care for the kittens they sell.

How to Prepare Your Home For the Arrival of New Cat

Discuss the arrival of a new cat with all family members, including children, so that everyone is prepared and on the same page.
Purchase a litter box and litter so that you can teach your cat to use it right away.
Purchase some interesting cat toys and possibly a scratching post for your new cat to entertain it and keep it from scratching your furniture.
Purchase food and water bowls for your new cat.
Get a collar for your new cat.
Find a veterinarian to care for the health and wellbeing of your new cat .
Take your new at to your veterinarian within the timeframe designated in your contract - Usually within 3 to 5 days of receiving your cat
Ask your vet if you should treat your new cat immediately with a medicated shampoo to reduce the chance of bringing infections and fleas into your home.
Consider your lifestyle and begin to make adjustments to your schedule to accommodate your new cat, or make arrangements so that your cat is well cared for.
Get pet insurance

Further Reading

petcoach.co: Kittens Purchase Contract & Placing Kittens in a New Home
wikipedia.com: Cat Registry
dogplay.com: What is a Hobby Breeder
pets.webmd.com: Vaccination Schedule for Cats
vet.cornell.edu: What is FIP?