Conference misery::feline_v1

    I don't think the combination will matter, if they are both kittens,
    they will probably get along no matter what the gender is.  As for
    taking them from the same litter, I don't think that will matter
    either.  Kittens are very adaptable and will probably take right
    to each other, whether they are littermates or not.
    
    The humane society that you get the kittens from will tell you what
    they have had and what they need.  Most humane societies have you
    take the kitten to the vet within the first two or three days for
    a general health checkup.  This is a very good idea, and a good
    way to get to know the vet before a problem comes up.  Also, if
    their is a health problem present, you may have the option of taking
    the kitten back, depending on the severity.  Our humane society
    charges about $35.00 for the kittens, and a portion of that is refunded
    when you provide proof of spaying/neutering.  Or you can bring the
    kitten back to them and they will spay it as part of the fee you
    pay to get it.  It is your choice.
    
    I think it is great that you are gonna give two needy kittens a
    good and loving home.  Good luck to you.
    
    Jo

    Oh goody.  More kitty parents which means more kitty stories
    to read.
    
    Welcome to the land of *crazy but unique* Feliners.
    
    Sandi  (mom to Lightning, DejaVu & Thunder)
    
    

    Paula-
    
    I know where there are two black and white, double pawed, tuxedo
    kitty sister which still need homes.   they are approx 12-15 weeks old.
    And they are located in Grafton.
    
    Michele

    We adopted 2 adult cats from a shelter.  They were a brother and
    sister, 2.5 years old.  They are very dependent on each other.
    They were both spayed when we got them, since they were older.
    Also, our shelter asked for a donation of $35 for the two.  Their
    usual request is $30 per cat, but they were happy that we took
    2 adults (harder to place), so they asked for less.
    
    It seems with kittens, any sex and litter combination works out
    well.  Kittens usually are not spayed until 5 or 6 months of age.
    Almost all shelters require proof of spay/neuter when the time
    comes.  The kittens should have their shots already (so they won't
    spread disease within the shelter), unless they are brand new 
    arrivals with no info available.
    
    As for low cost spay/neuter certificates, the shelter will probably
    be able to direct you to where they can be obtained if they do
    not have them.  They may ask you why you need the certificates if
    you can afford to feed and provide vet care for two kittens though.
    

    
    Paula,
    
    congratulations on a very wise decision to get two kitties  -they'll
    be happier, and you'll be happier!  I got my two (Molly and Iago)
    together, as brother and sister at 6 weeks of age.  They were
    incredibly close when I first got them (when one ate, the other
    ate; when one used the box, the other sat in the box for company!)
    After I got them fixed though, they definately have not been as
    close.  At times the female really seems pained by the existance
    of her brother.  He actually likes her, I think, and tries to play
    with her etc. (they are now 7 years old).  Anyway, I can only go
    by my own experience, but it does seem that the cats I grew up with,
    which were always male, stayed closer than my male and female. 
    But then, it may just be Molly  --although I love her to pieces,
    most people who meet her call her a "little bitch", so...
    
    Anyway, congratulations, you're in for a GREAT experience, and a
    life long love affair!
    
    Lynn
    

    I have five neutered males and all of them get along pretty well.
    I grew up with both males and females and the females merely tolerated
    each other while the males stuck together like glue.  Of course
    this is my experience only but I feel that going with 2 cats of
    the same sex is the answer.  Lots of people have two cats of the
    opposite sex, though, and things work out quite nicely.
    
    Best of luck with whatever you decide!  Cats are great fun to have
    around no matter what their gender!
    
    
    /Roberta
    

    
    We have two males - 2nd cousins.  One is much larger and therefore
    dominates but down deep they really like each other and can be quite
    affectionate with each other (grooming, sleeping together etc.) but
    they can also beat the tar out of each other (5:30 AM this morning!)
    It's hard to tell when they are playing and when they are having a
    "tiff".
    
    We got them as 8 - 10 weeks old.  Unless you're up for kittens, go for
    compatible adults.  I love kittens but I'm getting too old for "kids"
    especially when you've had an adult cat for 16 years before.  These
    guys are now two and still play like kittens so still a lot of fun.
    
    Good luck!

    We have five kitties, all female.  the only reason for that is that
    the oldest one, Mama Kitty (not called so because she had kittens!)
    will not tolerate males, cats or dogs.  We aquired her and Duchess
    about 4 years ago when we still lived in an apt.  The cats lived
    in the nest building with two alcoholic sisters who did not take
    good care of them.  They often went hungry and were out in all kinds
    of weather sleeping in piles of leaves, etc....well, to make a long
    story short, we started feeding them outside as we were not suppose
    to have any pets.  This grew into feeding them inside and letting
    them back out after--Duchess would insist on going back out, we
    used to call her eat and run.   Gradually they came to trust us
    more and more and decided that they would adopt us...soon we had
    a litter box and were buying cat food, which is difficult to hide
    as your climbing up the stairs with this 4 lb bag!!  Especially
    if there is an old busybody who lives down the hall who hates cats
    and couldn't understand why there were cats running up and down
    the back stairs all the time!!!
    
    Soon after they adopted us we found a kitten wandering around the
    back.   She belonged to another cat that these sisters "owned" and
    was maybe 5 weeks old.  Her name is Isis.   With three cats in the
    apartment that we weren't suppose to have, we decided it was time
    to move.   So we bought a house.  Just for the cats, of course!
    Sable came next, she was the only one we picked.  She is a 3/4 
    all black (with a few white belly hairs) Siamese, and my special
    baby!   Jasper is the latest addition, and despite the name is also
    female.  My S.O.'s mom found her beneath her car one morning out
    in Wilbraham, which is a rural suburb of Springfield.  People drop
    animals out there regularly thinking that someone will just adopt
    them.   Unfortunatly, it doesn't always happen.  Jasper was just
    lucky she hooked up with some suckers!!
    
    Anyway, our girls all get along pretty good except for M.K., she
    tolerates them but is really a big bitch to anyone but us.  But
    I love them all anyway!  They have such fun together (I think!)
    but they do fight over who gets the best window spot, you would
    think that with six rooms full of windows that they could learn
    to share!   By the way, they don't go out any more without supervision
    by us.  The enclosed front porch seems to keep them happy most of
    the time.
     
    We also have a year old Standard Poodle named Nikki.  She unfortunatly
    thinks she's a cat having grown up with them.  It's so much fun
    watching them run around the house, up and down the stairs, over
    the waterbed, out onto the porch.....well, you get the idea.  Nikki
    did come in handy the other night though, I went to the door to
    let her in just before bed.  When I opened the door Isis scooted
    out between my legs.  Sigh...I turned around and went to get the
    flashlight to get her back when all of a sudden there was a striped
    streak zipping past my legs going the other way, followed by a
    galloping poodle!!  "Good dog, Nikki, good dog!!"  "That was fun
    mommy, let her out again so we can play some more!!"
    
    Yes, two or more kitties are great--but expect them to adopt you
    and own you, not the other way around!   But have fun, I know that
    your new additions will!
    
    Debbi--et al.
    

    Welcome to feline!!  I can't wait until you tell us about your
    new cats.  I think you ought to really consider the two littermates
    that Michelle Peluso wrote about.  They aren't in a shelter and
    need someone to care for them.
    
    re: Spay certificates - I keep a stock of Friends of Animals & K&H
    spay applications on hand.  Send me your mail stop and I'll send
    some along to you.
    
    re: sexes and how they get along - well, I think that has more to
    do with the purr-sonality of the cats than anything else.  Our
    first two Bumpy-tail and Xiao-mao both came from the Boston Animal
    shelter almost 10 years ago.  At the time, Bumpy was 2 and Mao was
    5 months (I have NEVER regretted adopting an adult cat - Bumpy is
    a real treasure).  Mao, as a kitten, was more concerned about this
    Strange cat than Bumpy as about Mao.  They weren't housemates before
    I took them.   But Bumps is so laid back that in about a day they
    were getting along fine.  To this day they will still groom each
    other and sleep together.  They are both spayed females.
      We also have two more, Isis who is now 5 and came from Hopkinton
    Humane - a spayed female, and Dundee MacTavish, a 14 month old
    Scottish fold alter.  Isis thinks that Dundee is her kitten.  They
    are the greatest of friends.  
      Basically, all the cats get along very well with each other. 
    Its definitely not a matter of tolerating each other.  So I say
    get what you want.  Kittens will have a better chance of forging
    a strong bond, but adult cats can do the same.
      Nancy DC
    

Thanks for the responses, everyone.  I guess we won't worry about the gender 
and just leave it up to fate!  I'm sure we'll be happy with whatever we get.

Re. 3:
Thanks Michele, they sound beautiful!  The only thing is that we live in 
New Hampshire and work in Tewksbury, so Grafton would be a haul.  We won't be 
in a position to take any kittens for another couple of weeks, so if they're 
still available by then let me know and maybe we can work something out.

Well, as soon as we get our new additions to the family, I'll be here telling 
you all about them.  I can't wait!

Paula

    Paula -
    
    The road from Nashua to North Grafton is already well traveled isn't
    it Robert?
    
    Roberta and I make it going east or west in about 45 minutes. The
    traveling is always done on a saturday or sunday.
    
    We are going to make the trip again next weekend to see her new
    Ragdoll kitten Kirby, and bring her some more of her wedding
    goodies. With all her brood it's great fun to visit and our mouths
    never stop for a minute.
    
    Let us know as soon as you have made your choice.
    
    Barbara (Mocha & Ming)

    Well, I can speak for Roberta but not for Robert :^)
    
    Yup, from Grafton, I can get to Nashua in about 45 minutes -- just
    hop on 495 to Route 3 (or in your case Route 3S to 495S).
    
    Michele has been trying to find homes for these kittens for a long
    time.  Please consider them.  Right now, they are living outdoors
    with no real home of their own.