Answer: There are several options for prospective cat owners, some better than others. If your person doesn't have a particular breed in mind then one of the best places to find a cat or kitten would be your local animal shelter or humane society. Shelters are filled with cats and kittens in desperate need of good, life-long homes. Because most shelters have limited space available to them they will usually carefully screen the cats and kittens and only attempt to adopt out the most well adjusted, well socialized animals. Many shelters have specially trained adoption counselors who will help match people with the right cat or kitten. They may also have "play rooms" where prospective owners can interact with, and handle their potential pet. Shelters do charge an adoption fee, and will screen prospective pet owners. They have very good reasons for doing this, although some humans may take offense. Most shelters want to make sure that the animal being adopted out is placed in the right life-long home. They charge an adoption fee that in many cases includes a free veterinary exam, the cost of a spay or neuter surgery, first vaccinations and deworming. All in all a very good deal indeed!

Another common way in which to find a nice cat or kitten in need of a home is to look in the classified advertisements of the local paper. This is a good deal more risky than going to a shelter and anyone using this method should be prepared to be very observant. People should assess the owners when they call. Caring owners will spend time talking about their cat and why they're giving the cat up. They should ask questions as well, to make sure their cat will have a good home. If they seem too eager and don't have a "good" reason-such as a child's allergy or moving to housing that doesn't allow pets-the cat may have a serious medical or behavioral problem they aren't mentioning. Your person should meet the cat on its home ground. If it is friendly with it's owners it will most likely be friendly toward people in general. Your person should be sure to ask for copies of the cat's medical records, or at least the name of its veterinarian-and check up on the cat. Call the veterinarian and ask for the cat's vaccination history.

If your person has a particular breed in mind, his best bet would be to contact a reputable breeder. He can find breeders by attending a cat show, through the classified advertising in the back of cat magazines such as Cat Fancy or Cats Magazine, or by asking local veterinarians. It is best to visit the cattery in person in order to inspect the cats and their home surroundings. The cattery should be clean, orderly and not overcrowded. Most reputable breeders will ask prospective buyers to sign a contract stating that they will have any pet quality kittens spayed or neutered, and many will take the cat back and issue a full refund if there is a serious problem within the first couple of weeks. There are also breed "rescue" organizations that can put people into contact with purebred cats in need of new homes.

It's usually unwise to buy a cat or kitten from a pet store. Many of the animals in pet stores come from unsavory dealers and may have undiagnosed health or behavior problems.