So you’ve decided to buy a Cat. First of all there are probably two different routes you can go down. Either you decide to get a cross-bred cat or “moggie” or you decide to get a pedigree cat.

I have never liked the word “Moggie”. It tends to send messages of a lesser class of cat. This, as owners will know, could not be further from the truth. They can be as affectionate, playful, unpredictable, irritating, exasperating and as beautiful as any other of his/her feline cousins. The real difference between the two is when you buy the latter you have a better chance of guaranteeing the looks, temperament and personality. In this way you can be more specific about what you would like your cat to be like.

The cross-bred is more likely to have unique looks and unpredictable character which some would say makes them all the more endearing. Because they are not pure-bred and also have not been through what I would call the “stable system”, they are not so expensive. Often they are advertised free via Newsagents windows, church magazines, or such like when the queens brood proves too expensive to keep.

But other places to bear in mind are the RSPCA or Animal or Cat shelters. They will not always have kittens available but you may well be helping to re-home a desperate cat who can offer much affection in return.

When searching for a pedigree you will probably have a breed in mind already. Expect to pay between £300 (average) and £1,200 for the rare oriental breeds. Be very wary of breeders who are offering kittens at ridiculously low prices. There is a danger these cats have not been looked after properly, not been given the correct vetinary input and questionable whether they are pure-bred at all. If ever you are buying kittens from a private owner and you are suspicious they are not being looked after properly, contact the RSPCA. You may well be saving a lot of heart-ache in the future.

Take into account the cats temperament, and personality. Are they likely to be too demanding? Will they yearn for the out doors too much? Do they get on with other cats? Cats such as Burmese, Tonkinese, and Siamese are very demanding and almost need to be played with at times like you would a dog. How will this affect your everyday family life? The British Blue is more your traditional lap cat. Eat sleeps and keeps to himself.

Cats differ quite significantly in size. The Maine Coon, British Blue and Norwegian Forest are all quite massive cats when fully grown; the deven or Cornwall Rex are both quite small. Is your home big enough for the bigger cats if they are going to be kept in? Finally be aware that a long haired cat takes a lot of grooming.