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I'll be getting a cat. This has been weighing heavily on me for some time. At first I wanted a dog, but honestly, I'm at work all day and it would be unfair to the dog to leave it home all day. I feel a cat would be more easy to care for since they tend to do their own thing. Provided of course I find the right cat. But it's not as simple as going down to the local shelter and getting a cat. Wish it was that simple.

I've never owned an animal before. I had some fish once but, fish aren't very good pets. I had a hamster for a day, till my mother made me return it when I was 12. (I was really sad...)

I've got an allergy to pet dander. It's not super sever but it's enough that I probably need to stick to a more hypoallergenic cat.

I work all day and also, cat would probably be in the house all day. It wouldn't be an outdoor cat. Not in my area. Too much wildlife.

I'd prefer a kitten to start only because it would be a learning experience for us both and I feel like we would bond better.

If in the future the cat needs a companion I'd probably try and get another, but for now I just want one.

I've got no clue where to start. I've asked a few people and they've given me a few names of cat breeds to look into that would not annoy my allergies but it's all up to the animal on how it would react to me.

Help! gonk

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Have you got your cat yet? did you still have any questions?

Trust me when I say this - there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat or dog. I am also allergic to pet dander (deathly allergic to horse dander). I did own several cats and dogs. Alaway is the best instant cure for itchy eyes if you pet an animal and don't wash your hands right away and you somehow touch your eye and it goes into an itching frenzy. Keep zyrtec or another allergy medicine on hand.
My daughter bought a small dog from a pet store and he was supposedly "hypoallergenic" I can tell you that I was so allergic to this one.

Cats shed, they need their litterbox cleaned daily, they claw at furniture and leather boots - the cat scratch stuff you can buy at the store never worked for me. Aside from that, they are good listeners, fun to play with, have interesting characteristics (cattitudes), cuddly, loyal if treated right and a friend for life. I had my last cat for 14 years. Suffered a few allergies here and there, but I wouldn't have traded her for the world.

Don't worry about breeds or anything - the right kitten will show up in your life at just the right time. You'll know wink

If you get a boy, I suggest getting him fixed if he's going to be indoors. Because he will "spray" everything and it's very hard to remove the odors. And consider getting a female fixed if she will be indoor/outdoor unless you want a bunch of kittens in the near future.

Still animaless. When it comes to pets. I'm taking my time. I view animals just about at the same level as a human so unlike some people I know, I'm not going to jump into getting a pet till I know I can take care of it properly.

A lot of stuff went down this past year and it turned into a time where getting a pet just wasn't in the cards. But soon. I'm hoping in the next few years at least.

Christmas is coming up this year. As some of you know, we lost our grandfather sometime during or after Hurricane Micheal. I have been forced to stay with his family until the legal phase is completed or I can get my own place. Until then, I am worried my brother will tell me to get rid of him for simply messing with the tree.

I get where he is coming from but I already lost too much emotionally it feels like. He is not trying to be an...a*****e but I tend over react when my pets are being threatened.

Any advice on how to keep him away from the tree? Better yet, any way to keep my sanity over the thought of giving away him alone?

When you are ready to find your new best friend, I suggest going to your local animal shelter. They will have plenty to choose from. You are allowed to take your time getting to know the different ones until you find the "right one" for you. They will take care of shots, spay/neuter and licence, if needed in your area.

All of our pets, except my rabbit, have been pound pets.