If you've decided that you want a new kitten, it's nearly impossible not to find one!

In fact, free kittens are almost always available. You can find posters for free kittens in your local grocery store as well as ads in nearly every newspaper and sometimes, just by word of mouth. Although this can be a quick and easy way to find a free kitten, there are some drawbacks to this option.

In most cases, "free kittens to a good home" are from a rescued litter or someone's unspayed cat gave birth. This means it is difficult and usually impossible to know the parents, which can be bad because you don't know what types of temperament or possible health problems to expect. For example, if the mother cat was a starving stray, then the kittens may not have had much nourishment in utereo, and so might be under-developed with a weak immune system. Furthermore, these kittens most likely have not been to the vet, given their first shots or been dewormed so--while you are to be commended for giving a newborn kitten a loving home--you should be aware that you could be in for some additional veterinarian expenses.

Animal shelters and rescue groups often don't know anything (or at least much) about where the kittens in their care came from, so you are still facing unknowns when you adopt from them. However, the benefits here are that some shelters provide vet discounts for first appointments and vaccinations as well as on the spay or neuter. Furthermore, if the shelter in your area is still one of those that routinely kills animals who are not adopted, you will literally save a life. Also, if the kitten is slightly older, it may have already been fixed which can be helpful to you financially.

Many of the smaller rescue organizations even have stipulations in their adoption contracts that the animal be returned to them in the event it ever has to be rehomed. This is a little like insurance for you. For example, if five years down the road, your life takes an abrupt detour and you are forced to give up your cherished friend, the knowledge that your cat will be cared for until adopted into a new, carefully screened home, is sure to ease the process.

Until there are no stray and abandoned litters of kittens and adults cats, most animal rescue workers are of the opinion that people who wish to adopt should not go to breeders and pet shops. If your local pet store, however, is one of those that works hand in hand with the area humane society, then by all means, support their effort and adopt a kitten through them.