I think that mixed-breed cats have fewer troublesome quirks and are generally healthier than purebreds. While the various breeds have definable traits that can be good or bad, I think a mixture works out best for those of us who are more interested in having a feline member of our family as opposed to a show animal. The British have a term for mixed-breed cats that I like - moggies, which is the feline equivalent of a mutt, I think. I like that word, but I don't know of a suitable American equivalent. While I can surely appreciate the value in giving a home to an older cat who is in a shelter somewhere, you don't know what you're getting, while with a kitten, you can raise him or her to be the cat you want to have, and health has more to do with feeding them right than with anything else. My other problem with adopting a shelter cat is that they have all been poisoned with tons of vaccinations, so your chances of having a cat that is going to live a long and healthy life is diminished.
Even if a shelter cat has been subjected to all the vaccinations and might not live as long as if they had been an unvaccinated kitten, they would still live a longer and happier life than if they are not adopted from the shelter.
You must be joking, Lon...turtles are cold-blooded Reptiles! They could never provide the warmth of a loving Pet. We have 11 pets. Two Canines Two Felines Two Avians Five Reptilians. Hal
That is a ZOO! You could start your own wild life show. Your house always looks spotless....how do you keep it so clean with all the pets?
I agree with Beth Gallagher DONT buy a pet unless you will be there to attend to it. My next door neigbor (both work) has three dogs.. two Great Danes and a cross Staffy.. so not exactly small animals. Every day they bark constantly at every sound. This not only drives we humans nuts but it disturbs and distracts my and I suspect other dogs within close proximity. My two pooches can not go outside to do their business without at least one of the "ponies" standing on our 6 foot plus fence and barking, growling and whining for the entire duration. Ditto when I take Bonnie out for a walk in our cul de sac while I cant even go to the mail box without a cacophony of canines in full voice shattering my peace..
First, @Bess Barber, Judy is a professional Housecleaner, and keeps our house as spotless as she would one of her Clients' homes. We keep our Felines, Annie and Sadie in the house always. They are fastidiously clean. Our older Canine, Barbie, is an outdoor dog, but Jackie sleeps indoors with the cats, enjoying grooming sessions from our calico cat Annie! Our caged Budgies Stormy and Wichita talk to each other all day. Judy's personal pets, her 5 Desert Tortoises, have a fenced-off section of our back yard, with permanent burrows for hibernation. Judy fixes a large bowl of greens for them every morning. Our 11 pets have every possible advantage! Hal
@Hal Pollner It sounds like you have a VERY COOL home! I've been debating a small dog for two years. I would just rather get an older one than having to train a puppy.
Lon, a cat from a shelter would be a good choice, but you must spend time with your selection in the privacy of the shelter's "Get Acquainted" room. Hal