Maybe you should look into a rescue group that fosters, you know like Jen does. That way you know the health of the cat and it seems most in foster homes are already healthy and flea and parasite free. Plus the foster mom can tell you about their personality and behavior so you will make a good match for Josie. Just something to consider.

I understand your fear about the shelter. The shelter I adopted both Jazz and Scout from tends to be extremely overpopulated and even though they may have treated the cats for fleas and other things when they first came in by the time I adopted them they were infested again. Jazz came to us so sick with fleas, tapeworms, ear mites, ringworm and a URI that I was terrified I'd have to go through it again with Scout but luckily she just had fleas and earmites. Whenever I adopt again I'm planning to go through a local rescue group who only houses the cats in foster homes, I think.