Obtaining a cat from a Reputable Rescuer
The Pros and Cons

PROs:

• SATISFACTION OF "GOOD DEED":
  Purchasing a cat from a reputable Rescue offers the satisfaction of providing a home for a homeless cat and, in some cases, potentially helping them to save a life, especially in the case of special needs cats.
• SOCIALIZATION & TEMPERAMENT:
  Cats that are bought from reputable rescues often have been bonded to people in their lives (their owners had to relinquish them for whatever reason) and may bond well with new owners and become very faithful to them. In those cases where the rescued cat has previously acquired a known problematic attitude or behavior, reputable Rescues work with the animal to correct these problems before placement or will forewarn you of known potential problems.
  
  Reputable rescues watch their cats carefully to determine their readiness to be placed as a pet in a new home and attempt to find the best home to match up the cat’s individual needs and those of the buyer.
• INFORMATION AND RESOURCE:
  Generally all reputable cat rescuers will provide you with cat care information and respond to any questions that arise. In addition, many purebred rescuers, many of whom are or have been breeders, provide the opportunity to talk to someone who is knowledgeable about the particular breed and its characteristics and will make sure you are aware of the care needed by that breed.
• HEALTH:
  The cat is already vet checked, including testing for FELV and FIV, and has been vaccinated and likely also spayed/neutered.
• REFERENCES:
  When asked, the rescuer will willingly provide references from people who have previously purchased kittens and give permission to discuss the rescue’s cats with their veterinarian.
• COST:
  There are purebred rescuers of various breeds, most of whom are expert at identifying cats of that breed, which allows you the opportunity to have a purebred adult cat at less cost than a purebred kitten from a breeder. Often reputable rescue organizations, with no fixed overhead, only try to recoup all or a portion of the rescued cat's veterinary work-up.
• CONTRACT:
  There is a written contract which protects you and the rescuer.
• SAFETY NET:
  Reputable Rescues will help with placing the cat if at some future time circumstances force you to have to part with the cat. They may indeed require that you return the cat too them for rehoming.

CONs:

• KITTENS & CHOICES:
  There are very rarely purebred kittens available. With the exception of kittens from feral/unowned randombred cats that are abundant in spring and summers, usually cats, and not kittens, are available in purebred rescue. The advent of successful stray spay/neuter programs is reducing the feral source of kittens, as well. You may not have a full choice of color, sex, and age.
  
  Less than 1% of all cats entering shelters are purebred. Therefore, the likelihood is high that there will be a waiting list for your chosen breed if you want a purebred, and that with the rarer breeds a cat might never become available through rescue.
• ADJUSTMENT:
  Most are older cats who have been through at least two displacements from their homes before they arrive in your home and may take some time to adjust.
• ACCESS:
  You may have to travel to get to the closest rescue or may have to have the animal transported to you if that rescue does ship. Note that most reputable rescues do not ship and insist on your visiting to meet the cat.
• SCREENING PROCESS:
  The process may take some time. You will have to answer many questions about your knowledge of cat care and be willing to learn. You will also be asked many questions about the home you offer, and there is a chance you may not be approved for purchase of a kitten. Reputable Rescues do screen potential buyers as they care about the quality of the home where they are placing cats. If you don’t like answering a lot of questions about yourself and your home, you may count this against buying from a reputable rescuer. However, this process is beneficial ad this "screening" actually helps them ensure that the new feline family member will be an exact fit with your family’s expectations and desires.
• OTHER PROBLEMS:
  Occasionally, a Rescue is doing rescue only for the money available from sales or donations and, on occasion, a few other Rescues have become "collectors" with far too many cats, so do make sure the Rescue is reputable. (See "How can I Tell if a Breeder or Rescue is a Reputable One?"). Buying from such a rescue only facilitates further neglect on their part.