Looking for a kitten! (Arlington, Alexandria: renter, home, buy) - Northern Virginia - Virginia (VA) - City-Data Forum

xleyxashx · 02-13-2012, 08:06 AM

Hi All--

I'm looking to adopt or buy a kitten within the next month or two. Any recommendations for breeders, shelters, adoption centers, anything with cute kittens in the Nothern Virginia area?

Thanks :-)

FindingZen · 02-13-2012, 08:13 AM

My personal bias is in favor of shelters. While I can't confirm the "cuteness factor", I do say that we enjoyed the two (older) cats we received from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. There's sure to be felines of all ages at whatever shelter is most convenient for you.

JD984 · 02-13-2012, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xleyxashx

Hi All--

I'm looking to adopt or buy a kitten within the next month or two. Any recommendations for breeders, shelters, adoption centers, anything with cute kittens in the Nothern Virginia area?

Thanks :-)

Here's one local adoption site:

Available Cats

HereinVA · 02-13-2012, 08:19 AM

We see kittens available for adoption a lot at local Petsmart stores. They are placed there by rescues. The fee really varies. A few months ago we saw some of the sweetest 8 week old kittens. The adoption fee was $150 per kitten, and did NOT include spay/neutering, nor had the kittens been fully vaccinated yet. I thought that seemed pretty high, to be honest.
A lot of times they will also have adult cats, that are already neutered/spayed and have complete vaccinations, and their adoption fees are much lower, like under $100.

CaliTerp07 · 02-13-2012, 08:43 AM

Pet adoption: Want a dog or cat? Adopt a pet on Petfinder

Unless you are going to be showing your kitty, there's really no reason to go to a breeder. Pet stores are always a no-no unless you want a potentially sickly little animal. Shelters and rescues generally have vetted, temperament tested critters waiting to find families!

The petfinder link allows you to filter by age, so if you put "baby" in, you'll get tons of young kittens in the area. You can also skim over rescue policies and fees to make sure you're comfortable with their requirements.

Looks like "Animal Allies" in Fairfax has a ton of kittens

http://www.animalallies.com/

HEATHER72 · 02-13-2012, 09:13 AM

I second getting a rescue thru Petsmart. I saw 2 beautiful Himalayan cats there about a week ago for $200. Gorgeous cats with big eyes that looked like marbles. If I didn't have 3 dogs, I would have probably come home with one!

ghett61 · 02-13-2012, 09:18 AM

When i got my adult cat in July, it was at a PetSmart and the adult adoption fee was half off because most people want a kitten.

Also if you are a renter then you had to bring proof that you could have pets and paid any deposit or fee that you owe before they would let you have the animal. They have had trouble in the past with people adopting and returning because the landlord did not allow pets or the person tried to hide the animal and not pay the fee.

xleyxashx · 02-13-2012, 09:44 AM

I'm really looking for a kitten, and a very young one at that. That's why I feel a breeder or private seller may be more the way to go. I'm also fond of fluffy ones and the shelters seem to carry mostly domestic short hairs.

I'm picky!

CaliTerp07 · 02-13-2012, 09:49 AM

Carlingtonian · 02-13-2012, 10:22 AM

Another reason some people are reluctant to go to a "rescue" organization is that some of them go way beyond due dilligence in screening potential adopters, to the degree that people get fed up and go to a breeder. This article from Slate Magazine I thought was very eye-opening.

Good luck in your search!