Buying from an Animal Shelter:
The Pros and Cons

PROs:

• SATISFACTION OF " GOOD DEED": 
  Buying from a shelter offers the satisfaction of giving a homeless cat a home and possibly saving the cat’s life. Many shelters cannot keep animals very long and have major space limitations.
• COST:
  The cost may be lower than other sources. Fees may vary from one shelter or rescue organization to another, so some comparison shopping might be in order if cost is a major concern. City or county operated shelters are funded by tax dollars, so fees will usually be even less than from private humane organizations.
• SOCIALIZATION & TEMPERAMENT:
  With an adult cat, the family can see the adult cat's appearance and get some idea of temperament to try to gage how it will fit into their family, and the more active and potentially destructive kitten stage is avoided.
  
  On occasion, some of the kittens may have been raised by fosterers and may be well socialized.
• AVAILABILITY & ACCESS:
  A variety of domestic cats and kittens may be available depending on the time of year.
  There is generally a shelter in your local area without much traveling.

CONs:

• HEALTH & Socialization:
  You never know what you may be getting from most shelters.

1. There is a greater likelihood that some cats may be ill and it may not be obvious until later
2. Some may lack socialization or have personality quirks.

• AVAILABILITY:
  If you are looking for a purebred, it is quite unlikely you will find one, though many shelters will err on the side of calling any cat that may have some characteristics also found on purebreds a "purebred or mix" as then they are easier to place with a breed name.
• ADJUSTMENT:
  Many are older cats who have been through at least two displacements from their homes and may take significant time to adjust.
• SOCIALIZATION & TEMPERAMENT:
  The environment is not optimal for maintaining cats or raising kittens. Kittens can not be properly socialized while being kept in cages and only being handled by prospective buyers and the shelter personal. There is often increased risk of exposure to germs for which kittens have no immunity built up due the cats and kittens coming from varied sources and being stressed by the circumstances.
• SCREENING PROCESS:
  The amount of time the process takes varies greatly from one shelter to another and may be minimal.
  
  Humane Societies, more often than publicly owned shelters, do more carefully screen potential buyers as they care about the quality of the home where they are placing cats. These Humane Societies ask many questions about the quality of the pet home you offer and some may require that you show proof of ownership of your home. So, there is a chance you may not be approved for purchase of a kitten or cat. If you don’t like answering questions about yourself and your home or having to prove your home ownership, you may count this against buying from a Humane Society. However, this process may be beneficial as this "screening" actually helps them ensure that the new feline family member will be a welcome and permanent addition to your family.