[Kazcatlover]

I have just lost my beloved cat of nearly 18 years. My two children aged 7 and were brilliant with my old cat and miss her terribly. We want to get a new cat or maybe 2 cats. I am trying to decide whether to get a pair of rescue cats from a charity or two kittens. I have a friend whose cat is due to litter in the next few weeks. She has promised three already to family members. Do I wait and have a look at her kittens (or someone elses kittens) and hope I like them or adopt some rescue cats? My 7 year old said she would like to give an older cat a home but I also know she would adore a kitten. We will wait to the Summer school holiday to have kittens so we can be at home to care for them. I know of two rescue cats, used to children one of whom adores them, that need a home together. (I haven't seen the cats yet) Can you still bond with a rescue cat in the same way as one you have from a kitten and would the children be happy to have either as a pet? What should we do?

[jme1204]

I would go with the kittens. I understand why you would want an older cat to be rescued but a lot of the time older cats have trouble adjusting to children.

[Susana]

I would go for the rescue cats used to kids. It would probably be easier for the other kittens to find a home.

[raven44012]

Yes, you can still bond with them... I have a rescue cat that I love and I just lost my rescue dog. Both were very dear to me and they loved our family. Just be aware that sometimes rescue pet come with emotional baggage if they were abused or mistreated.

[irunwithscissors25]

i think you should rescue a cat your daughter said that would be cool and its not always hard to get to know them some of them are wonderful get to know then in the shelter a little be someones hero get a cat that needs you to want them good luck either way though and so sorry for your loss.

[lostinlove]

Either would be fine. Older cats may take a little longer to bond but not always. Older cats are generally more calm and make better lap cats. Kittens like to play, and climb, and claw. The kids will probably have more scratches from the kittens than they would with older cats. As long as you love them and take care of them they will love you back.

[Catrancher99]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss; I sure know what it's like. You're question is a toughie because things can go either way. I have 9 cats and all are rescues except 1. The oldest guy, Dancer, appears to have been mistreated and so very glad to be loved by me he's almost dog-like in the way he tries to hog my attention. My latest rescue is actually a feral female kitten, Nova, about 7-8 months old who came with a bad upper respiratory infection, yet allows me to medicate her without aggression (but oh my how she does squirm). Just be aware, as some of the other people have posted, older cats, especially resuces from abuse, can have emotional problems, and kittens on the other hand start fresh. To some extent use your common sense, but go with your heart.

[celtcellenem]

I'm very sorry about the loss of your fur-pal. My personal preference would be to go check out older cats at a shelter, their personality is already established & you can see how they behave with your children, as well as knowing you are rescuing a cat that may eventually be euthanized. A kitten would be nice, but you sometimes can't tell yet how they will behave towards children. We have two rescued 3 year old cats & we knew right off they would fit in based on the way they behaved when we spent some time with them. My husband has a 15 yr old Maine Coon who is so lovable, even though he got him as a runaway kitten, the Maine Coon breed is known for being lovable lap-cats. Sometimes you can find Maine Coon mixed breeds at shelters. Good luck with your decision.

[Nancy Kay]

First of all, my sincere condolences...how wonderful, though, to have had your precious cat for 18 years! And bless your 7 year old! MY VOTE? RESCUE! I have two rescue adopted cats, 1 cat that I am fostering for an incarcerated friend, and 2 rescue dogs.My cats were a little over and under a year old (one each) when adopted. One of them was even a former feral cat that when the rescue mommy trapped for spay and release, was such a sweetheart that she spent almost 6 months caring for him in her home to accustom him to people. Both of my guys are the sweetest, most lovey babies I know. The former feral cat is the one that sleeps with me every night, and the other is literally the best cat in the world and the one who has helped knit all my animals together into a loving family, who all get together and greet me every morning in the bedroom...I get to smile first thing every day!Kittens have their appeal, but if your 7 year old is compassionate enough to be open to an older cat, please help foster that quality in him/her...it is beautiful to see a child more concerned with loving and caring for an abandoned animal than they are with the excitement and novelty of kittens.P.S. My dogs were 7 yrs and 5 yrs old when adopted, and the 5 year old MinPin is blind...I'd live to see more people give homes to older (and I mean older and senior) or special needs pets...but that's only for those of us who know we can handle loving and losing our animals sooner than if we'd had them since they were young...for me, I know that I can (once I survived the loss of my first family of 3 cats) and it means I have the opportunity to love the next one(s) that I take in.Good luck to you whatever you decide! And hug those kids for me...they're obviously special.

[Poetess_4U]

I say, go with the Rescued Cats. New kittens always have a better chance of finding a home. If this older cats like children, why not give them a home. You can still get a kitten to if you want. The older cats will nurture it and show him/her how to be a cat! I brought two kittens home to my older cat (who is a fixed male) and he took them in and immediately almost began to groom and nurture them. Now they are almost his size, and everyone gets along great!!! Good Luck. Give the Rescued Cats a chance, please....