I'm thinking of adopting a cat

Cats make a welcome addition to any home and are the most popular pet in the UK. If you are thinking about an addition to the household there are several things you may want to consider:

Food
Adult cats need two meals a day, it needs to be a complete, balanced diet and of good quality. Kittens will need more frequent feeding, up to four times a day, and would need a special kitten food that contains everything they need to help them grow up fit and strong. Cats and kittens will need a fresh supply of drinking water every day.

Veterinary treatment
Your cat will need to be registered with a vet and will need routine vet care such as flea and worm treatments, vaccinations and check ups.

Insurance
It is advisable to have pet insurance for your cat, this will cover veterinary costs if they become ill or are injured, some can even cover advertising if your cat goes missing. It's worth remembering that you may have your cat for up to 20 years and although we don't like to think of it, they may become unwell in that time.

Holidays
You will need to provide a safe and secure environment for your cat when you go away on holiday. This can be done by putting him in a cattery during your time away or arranging for a cat-sitter to come to your home and feed and play with him. Never leave your cat to fend for himself.

Once you have considered all of these things and you have decided that you are ready to adopt, the next step is to email us at Derby.cats.org.uk where we can start to tell you about some of the cats in our care.