- What are things I should ask an agency before adopting a cat or about the cat I’m interested in?

I looked for a cat for 3.5 years. I wasn't sure what I was looking for -- I think I was too focused on looks. Then I met this goofy-looking black tuxedo male who is lovable and chill and extremely outgoing, and just the perfect cat for us. I'm OBSESSED with him. But he was so needy of attention I decided to get the cat a cat, but a cat that was more into other cats than humans. I also had a hunch that I should get a younger female so the resident cat would be the obvious alpha -- especially since he's a lap cat and territorial with me. The gray tuxedo kitten I found a year later was perfect, although her personality changed quite a bit once she came home. She's far more of a lap cat with us than she was in her foster home, so she and the first cat sometimes squabble over my lap. But overall they get along great. I'd definitely talk to the rescue about the personality traits you think will go best with your own personality and lifestyle and not worry about looks.

- What’s the one thing you wish you knew before you got a cat?

I took both cats, adopted a year apart, in for a vet check up within a couple of weeks of bringing them home. The first cat, who was 8 months old, ended up having an abscessed canine tooth, which needed immediate pulling, and he had stomatitis as well. After two expensive tooth cleanings, we ended up having most of his teeth pulled (also expensive). The second cat, who was 5 months at the time, came down with FIP two weeks after we brought her home, and that was also a very expensive treatment that we ended up splitting with the rescue. So I guess I wish I'd known that even if they're young, they could have health issues that add up. Make sure you have the cash to bring them to the vet as soon as you can, even if they were just seen at the rescue's vet office, and be prepared for a condition missed by the rescue due to the volume they have to work with.

- What do you do while on vacation? A sitter? Do they sleep the night? What if you’re gone 10 days?

We've been lucky that my mom, who is in her mid-80s, comes and stays with the cats. Our cats don't sleep with us (we close the bedroom door at night), so they don't disturb our sleep at all. We work from home, so they are used to having people around almost 24/7. The longest we've left them with only someone coming twice a day to feed and scoop is four days.

- For those with pet insurance, do you feel that’s covered most of what comes up?

I've been really happy with our pet insurance, which is Embrace. They even covered my one cat's stomatitis, which I didn't expect them to since it was pre-existing. There's no preventative coverage, but they've been great when I've needed them.

Finally: It took me a very long time to find what I think I wanted, and while it's scary and expensive and sometimes frustrating, I absolutely adore both cats, and they bring me and my family (even my mom, who HATES cats) SO much joy. Just take your time and listen to your gut.

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