Before you start looking for a kitten, can you definitely offer the right type of home? The typical life expectancy for a cat is now around 14 to 16 years. If you're still living at home with your parents, where will you be in ten year's time? Does your job take you away from home frequently or will it even take you abroad? Does your social life take up most of your time at weekends? If you're unwell, who will look after your cat? What happens if your relationship breaks up? Who will be responsible for the cat?

These may seem like pretty obvious considerations but we still continue to encounter cats needing to be rehomed because of these situations.

It's also important to consider the financial implications of pet ownership. A recent survey discovered that cat owners spends an average of £800 to £900 each year on their pet (food, litter, cattery fees,vets fees etc).

Do you have the time to devote to rearing a young kitten or would an adult cat be better? Do you want to keep your cat indoors all the time? If so, they need a lot of attention and they need to be kept mentally stimulated-otherwise behavioural problems can set in.

If you're out at work all day you may consider getting two cats rather than one to provide company for one another.

Do you want to get a pedigree cat or would you rather get a moggie? Some pedigrees can be quite hard work and they are often prone to certain disorders because of inbreeding. Longhaired cats look very pretty but their coats need daily grooming.

If you've considered all the above points and you're still committed to getting a kitten or a cat, how do you find your new companion? If you're keen to obtain a particular pedigree breed, litters can be few and far between so be prepared to travel a considerable distance. One of the best initial contacts is The Governing Council of The Cat Fancy. You can also look at advertisements in the national cat magazines such as Cat World and Your Cat.

If you would like a non- pedigree cat your local newspaper may have adverts for litters of kittens from a family home. The best local contacts are usually the cat rescue organisations.

Regardless of where your kitten comes from, work your way through the following checklist:

• TRY TO OBTAIN AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE ABOUT THE HEALTH OF MUM AND LITTERMATES -ASK IF MUM/KITTEN HAS BEEN TESTED FOR FELINE LEUKAEMIA VIRUS (FeLV)
• CHECK FOR EVIDENCE OF FLEAS AND WORMS

• CHECK FOR EVIDENCE OF DISEASE. A HEALTHY KITTEN SHOULD BE BRIGHT AND ACTIVE AND FREE OF DISCHARGE FROM ITS EYES AND NOSE.

• IF THE KITTEN IS 9 WEEKS OF AGE OR OLDER, ASK IF HE/SHE HAS STARTED A VACCINATION PROGRAM

• ASK IF A KITTEN HAS HAD A LOT OF HANDLING. IF IT HASN'T HAD MUCH HUMAN CONTACT IT CAN BE VERY NERVOUS AND SHY AND NOT SUITABLE FOR A FAMILY PET.

• BE WARY OF ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH ALLOW NUMEROUS CATS AND KITTENS TO MIX FREELY WITH EACH OTHER AS THIS ALLOWS SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE.

Hopefully we haven't scared you off by this stage and you're about to be the proud owner of a new cat or kitten. What are the next steps?

• Buy everything you will need for the kitten/cat before you bring him/her home- food, bowls, litter tray, bedding etc.

• Register your cat with a veterinary surgeon. Don't just choose the nearest one. Talk to friends and other cat owners for personal recommendations. Visit the practice to get a feel for the service and care. A good relationship with your veterinary surgeon is extremely important. Veterinary practices now offer much more than just the "firebrigade" emergency treatment. Reliable, professional and usually free advice can be obtained about preventive healthcare, diets and behavioural problems.

• Ensure your cat is vaccinated against potentially fatal viral diseases. Vaccines are available in this county (UK) against cat flu, enteritis, feline leukaemia virus and chlamydia. Your veterinary practice can advise you of the most appropriate vaccinations for your cat.

• Start worming your cat against roundworms and/or tapeworms.

• Check to see if your cat has fleas and use an appropriate treatment.

• Arrange to get your cat or kitten neutered. Check with your veterinary surgeon for the best age.

• Start feeding as you mean to go on. This is the time to prevent having a faddy eater. Dried diets are becoming increasingly popular- they are economical and have several health benefits including helping teeth stay clean and healthy.

• Consider having your cat microchipped. A new cat or kitten may sometimes get themselves mislaid or in scrapes when they first venture outside. Collars are easily lost so have your cat permanently identifiable with an identity microchip.

• Look for a good cattery locally. Many people initially don't plan to board their pet at a cattery but you can never predict when there might be a need to use one. An alternative which is becoming more popular is to have your cat cared for by a catsitter.

• Consider taking out medical insurance. Veterinary fees are rising quite rapidly because of the advances which are being made in veterinary medicine. A small monthly or annual premium prevents you being faced with an unexpected bill of several hundred pounds and also allows your cat access to the best possible care