There are many sources where you could find a cat:
A Reputable Breeder
If purchasing a pedigreed cat, it is best to buy directly from a reputable breeder. Cat breeders can be located through cat clubs, visiting a local cat show, advertisements or on the internet. When you purchase a pet kitten from a breeder who shows their cats, the pet kitten has received all the extra care, nutrition and attention to genetics as the show kitten in the same litter. <ost breeders offer a contract with a written guarantee, although the conditions of the contract may vary. If you have purchased a pedigreed kitten as a pet from a breeder, there are generally two possibilities regarding registration papers. The breeder will either give you the pink and/or blue slips signed 'not for breeding' and 'spay/neuter' or they will withhold the papers until they have received your veterinarian's confirmation that the kitten has been spayed or neutered. With the paper in hand, you can then register your kitten.
Not all private breeders are reputable and the informed buyer should interview breeders to separate the good ones from the bad. The term 'Backyard Breeder' or BYB is used to describe a breeder whose primary motivation is making a profit, often resulting in producing substandard, unhealthy kittens.
Temporary Foster
Now a day, there are many 'temporary care takers' who adopted kittens or cats from the street, especially those who needs special care or has potential to re-home. We often called them 'foster'. Most are volunteer foster home, they are either financially independent or are depending on public donations. You can often find a pedigreed cat from a breed rescue for a significantly lower price than from a breeder (normally foster will only charge for spaying/neuter fees + vaccination fees). You must pass a rigorous screening test before your will be approved as a prospective home.
I adopted Kurimu from a foster named YC in PJ, Selangor. I found Kurimu from a website called 'Petfinder'. I remembered YC sent me a series of serious questions before she says 'yes' on my request to adopt Kurimu. The questions are like: Do you have any other animal at home? Do you keep your pet in door or out door? Will you spay/neuter your cat when the cat is ready to be desex? YC told me many people get annoyed of being asked, but not me, I fully understand why she did so and I was so glad that she seriously look for a great home for the kittens. YC told me many approached her for Kurimu, but finally I was the lucky one to bring Kurimu back, all the way from Melaka to PJ and PJ to Melaka on the same day! I only paid RM300 as fees to adopt Kurimu (one vaccination and some basic medical care and check-up).
Free to A Good Home
If you are looking for a mix-breed kitten, word of mouth or a classified advertisement may lead you to someone with kittens to give away. Unfortunately the result of failure to spay an outdoor cat. Question the owner about the kitten's history, whether it has had vaccinations and any illness in the litter. Ask to see the mother cat in her home environment to evaluate her temperament. You will also get a better idea of the conditions the kitten has been living in, whether there is any indication of illness in the rest of the litter and the condition of the mother cat.
One of the best website to find a 'free to a good home' cat or kitten is www.petfinder.com.my
Humane or Animal Shelter
With the exception of a no-kill shelter, kittens and cats at a humane society are almost always destined for euthanasia if not adopted. Adopt a cat or kitten, giving them the second chance and you will definitely feel saving their life is very rewarding! The drawback is that you will have very little information about the kitten's medical or genetic background. Shelters charge an adoption fee, which often includes vaccinations and neutering.
The two most popular animal shelters in Malaysia where you could adopt a cat or a dog from are: PAW & SPCA.
Pet Store
Pet store is an ideal place to buy food and accessories, but definitely not the best place to purchase a cat or a kitten. Most pet stores get their animals from 'kitten mills', a commercial operations breeding for profit and not to preserve traits of the breed. There is some risk as to whether such kittens will be of good temperament or health, the parents cannot be seen and often little or no information is available regarding their background or breeding.
If you insist to buy from a pet store, you must ensure the kitten looks healthy, active, has clean eyes and ears, and no sign of skin problem or respiration problem. You definitely has to bring your new adopted/bought kitten to the vet for a thorough health check, including some blood tests to ensure your kitten is free from critical illnesses.
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