(First of all, if this is not the right forum, please relocate it where it belongs Thanks!)
So, this is a very tough dilemma for me and I have conflicting feelings. Every responsible cat owner says that you should adopt cats or kittens from shelters so as not to encourage "back-yard breeders" and to prevent the shelters from euthanizing unwanted kittens or cats. But what of all the kittens born to "back-yard breeders" (a.k.a. free kittens posted on Craig's list etc.)?
See, I live in Boulder, CO and I know the kittens at the Humane Society *will* get adopted and it is a no-kill shelter. Also, I want a kitten because I am hoping it will adapt better to my cat Luna, and the shelter has very few. (Sometimes they have more, but they do get adopted fast). Also, I know that I will take great care of my kitten and get it fixed and stuff. So, on that note, I feel like I'm helping by getting a kitten from some random person. (I would make sure that everything seemed OK with the kitten before adopting it, of course). Lastly, I know it would be cheaper for me to adopt a free (or very low priced kitten) and have it fixed at a clinic, then adopt one from a shelter. I know that some day, when I have a steady job (I'm a graduate student right now) I would love to foster moms and kittens and fix them and adopt them out, but right now I am only able to save one. But I am feeling very guilty about not adopting from a shelter.
So, I just wanted to share my dilemma, and see if anyone had any thoughts or advice or if anyone has been in a similar situation. Thanks for listening (or reading) my rambling!
So, this is a very tough dilemma for me and I have conflicting feelings. Every responsible cat owner says that you should adopt cats or kittens from shelters so as not to encourage "back-yard breeders" and to prevent the shelters from euthanizing unwanted kittens or cats. But what of all the kittens born to "back-yard breeders" (a.k.a. free kittens posted on Craig's list etc.)?
See, I live in Boulder, CO and I know the kittens at the Humane Society *will* get adopted and it is a no-kill shelter. Also, I want a kitten because I am hoping it will adapt better to my cat Luna, and the shelter has very few. (Sometimes they have more, but they do get adopted fast). Also, I know that I will take great care of my kitten and get it fixed and stuff. So, on that note, I feel like I'm helping by getting a kitten from some random person. (I would make sure that everything seemed OK with the kitten before adopting it, of course). Lastly, I know it would be cheaper for me to adopt a free (or very low priced kitten) and have it fixed at a clinic, then adopt one from a shelter. I know that some day, when I have a steady job (I'm a graduate student right now) I would love to foster moms and kittens and fix them and adopt them out, but right now I am only able to save one. But I am feeling very guilty about not adopting from a shelter.
So, I just wanted to share my dilemma, and see if anyone had any thoughts or advice or if anyone has been in a similar situation. Thanks for listening (or reading) my rambling!