Hi Chris,

Don't be scared about getting a kitty. If they could they would look after themselves *laughs*. Cats are highly independent creatures with minds and characters of their own.

Bastet is only 2.5 years so I was a newbie 2.5 years ago too *laughs*. I went through all the problems too of her being lonely and away from her brothers and sisters and the fact she slept on my chest for 3 weeks! I let her because I knew that eventually she would know that I would always be there for her.

As for the indoor/outdoor debate - I beleive that having an indoor cat not only saves you the worry of roads and nasty people but also saves the wildlife as well. Bastet has a wonderful time inside. I hide toys for her and little pockets of food. She gets to see me when I get home. She has places to watch the outside world and really she is very contented.

I think its commendable that you are considering a shelter cat too! When I did work at the RSPCA here in Australia - it was always the older cats there that didn't find their forever homes. Some of those cats had the best personality! It was a shame at that time I could not take them all home and love them but I did go in whenever I could to sit and stroke them and be their company.

The older cats (not from my experience mind you) do not have any trouble adjusting to an indoor environment.

I wish you all the best!