pisi.cat A person for every cat. A cat for every person.

Ethics and fit

Why adopt? Why buy? A choice without slogans.

Adoption saves a life that already exists and frees up space, time and resources for the next one. It is by far the path taken by most people who are truly ready for a cat. Responsible buying remains possible, but it is rare and requires much more serious checking than a pedigree or a pretty photo — and, as feline genetics show, “breed” says far less about who your cat will be than you might be tempted to think.

Why it's worth starting with an association

People who do rescue and responsible adoptions most often do unpaid, exhausting and underappreciated work: they sterilise, treat, socialise and take cats to check-ups, often with their own money. An adopter who chooses carefully — who asks questions, respects an adjustment period and stays with the cat — is exactly the kind of person this work is looking for. If you recognise yourself here, you're already off to a good start.

Adoption

You can meet kittens, adults, seniors and cats with special needs. An adult often has a temperament that is easier to assess. Responsible associations provide medical and behavioural context and look for a match, not speed.

Responsible buying

It can rarely make sense, for someone willing to thoroughly check a breeder and support their health practices — not for someone in a hurry or drawn to a “rare breed”. It doesn't guarantee health or a particular temperament, and demand directly supports a market where abuse is easy to hide.

Signs of a responsible breeder

  • Raises few breeds and few litters, indoors, with proper socialisation
  • Shows the parents and original documents, not just photos
  • Does the genetic and cardiac tests relevant to the breed and explains the results
  • Does not separate kittens too early; as a rule they leave after 12–14 weeks, vaccinated according to age
  • Uses a contract, offers support and asks for the cat to be returned if you can no longer keep it
  • Asks you lots of questions and accepts that you wait

Red flags

Several breeds permanently available, handover in a car park, refusal to allow a visit, very young kittens, lack of tests, pressure for a deposit, unusually low price, courier delivery and talk of «rare» colours are reasons to stop. Do not buy a kitten «to save it» from an abusive seller: the money funds the next litter. Report the situation to the authorities or a competent organisation.

If you're not ready, waiting is a good choice

You can help through foster care, volunteering, donations, responsibly sharing listings or caring for other people's cats, without adopting permanently. And if you are ready, also read what prevents a return before you start searching — it's worth five extra minutes now. Love doesn't need to be proven through possession.