The decision to choose a pure or mixed breed cat is a very personal one. Some cat lovers welcome any type of cat that crosses their paths, others have definite preferences toward particular breeds. How you choose to get a cat may weigh into your decision about whether to pursue a pure or mixed breed cat, or your decision about breed may dictate how you get your cat.

When deciding where to get a cat, you can opt for adoption or purchase. One of the first decisions you must make when considering adopting a cat is whether or not a specific breed is important to you. If breed is not important, contact your municipal animal shelter or the local chapter of the ASPCA to find shelters near you. Your local vet may also be a good resource for locating groups or individuals who have cats for adoption. It is easy to find a wide variety of mixed breed cats looking for good homes.

If you are certain you want a particular pure breed, adoption or rescue can still be a viable option. There are many groups that specialize in rescue and adoption of particular breeds of cat. The Internet can be a great resource to locate rescue groups. There are both local and national groups; local groups may have cats readily available, while national organizations may be able to provide you with information and link you to individuals in your area who rescue cats. A good way to get started is to type the breed name and words “cat rescue” into an Internet search engine.

In looking for a pure bred cat, deciding whether to adopt a pet or purchase a pet from a breeder is a personal choice. Whichever you decide, be sure to research the source and find out as much as you can about how the cat has been cared for up to this point. A good breeder will always have at least as many questions for you as you have for him. A breeder who cares about his animals will want to know that each cat is going to a good, loving home. You may find that you have a lot of initial contact with a breeder over the phone or via email. When you actually meet with the breeder, you may have your choice of only a few or several cats, depending on the size of his breeding operation.

Some people prefer pure bred cats because they have at least some idea of what to expect the appearance and temperament of the cat to be. Each individual cat, like each individual person, has his own personality, though, and not even all purebred cats conform to the typical expectations with regard to temperament.

Other people prefer mixed breed cats because they blend some of the best qualities of the parent cats. Expectations about physical appearance and temperament may be a bit more relaxed with mixed breed cats, allowing more of the cat’s own personality to freely shine through.

There is no right or wrong decision in choosing a pure or mixed breed cat. It is a personal decision that should be considered carefully. The right cat for you is the cat that best suits your environment, family situation, and personality. Whether that is a pure or mixed breed cat is entirely up to you.