A cat can be adopted from a rescue centre or bought directly from the person who bred it; in England, kittens may not be sold through third parties.
Every owned cat in England must be microchipped by 20 weeks of age, and the keeper is legally responsible for meeting its welfare needs.
A cat commonly lives for fifteen years or more, so taking one on is a long commitment. Where the cat comes from, how old it is and how it will live decide most of what follows.
Animal charities and local rescue centres have cats and kittens of every age needing homes. A cat from a reputable rescue has normally been examined by a vet, vaccinated, microchipped and neutered, and the centre can describe its temperament and match it to a household.
In England, a kitten under six months old can lawfully be sold only by the person who bred it; sales through pet shops and other third parties have been banned since April 2020, and similar rules apply in Scotland and Wales. A responsible breeder shows the kitten with its mother in the home where it was raised, does not release it before eight weeks at the earliest, and provides vaccination and microchip records. Pedigree breeders registered with the main British cat registry keep kittens until thirteen weeks. Sellers who offer to meet in a car park, cannot show the mother or have several litters available at once are best avoided.
Kittens need company, supervision, several meals a day and a course of vaccinations, and their adult character is not yet known. An adult cat is calmer, its temperament is already clear, and it is often a better match for people who are out at work. Older cats wait longest in rescue centres and usually settle quickly.
Whether the cat will go outdoors also matters. A home on a busy road or without a garden may suit an indoor cat, which then needs more play, climbing space and attention to stay healthy.
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 the keeper of a cat must meet its welfare needs: a suitable place to live, a suitable diet, the ability to behave normally, appropriate company or solitude, and protection from pain, injury and disease.
Since 10 June 2024 every owned cat in England must be microchipped before it is 20 weeks old, and the keeper's contact details must be kept up to date on an approved database. The rule covers indoor cats. A keeper who does not comply can be fined.
A collar is not essential once a cat is microchipped. If one is used, it should be a quick-release type that snaps open under pressure; elasticated and buckled collars cause injuries when a leg or jaw is caught. Some cats can be trained to walk on a harness and lead, which suits indoor cats in particular.
A new cat is settled in one quiet room with its tray, food, water, bed and a hiding place, and allowed to explore the rest of the house at its own pace. Children are shown how to let the cat approach them. Adult cats are kept indoors for three to four weeks before being let out, so that they learn where home is; kittens stay in until they are vaccinated, neutered and microchipped.
Registering with a vet in the first week allows a health check and a plan for vaccinations, parasite control and neutering.
Cats are kittens for their first year, though they can breed from about four months. They are in their prime as young adults, are generally counted as mature from about seven and as senior from about eleven. Many live into their late teens. Older cats benefit from more frequent veterinary checks, since kidney disease, thyroid problems and arthritis become common with age.