I couldn't agree with you more, david p! I volunteer at the Cats Protection League (see the siggy) in Wellington, (they have a no kill policy), and they don't keep young kittens there, they are usually able to find foster homes for them until they are old enough. The youngest residents there at the moment are about 10 months old (and they're adorable!). However, it's quite sad when we do get phone calls from some people and I overhear the other volunteers speaking to them saying that we don't have very young kittens at the shelter. It seems like all people want is the novelty of something cute, small and helpless. When I go to get another cat (or two, or three, or the 5 I currently have my eye on!), they will most probably be adults. The only way I would have kittens is if they needed a home more than someone else - I wouldn't choose a kitten just because it's a kitten. (But now I've made myself feel bad for saying that!)