How do you convince your mom and dad to buy a kitten?

Answer 1

First of all, tell them that you don't need to buy a cat (or a dog, for that matter). There are plenty of animal shelters that are happy to let you adopt a cat for free, or for a small fee that just helps them cover their costs. And if you adopt from these shelters, you will be saving a life. More than 3/4 of all cats and dogs that wind up in shelters end up being euthanized (killed), because the shelters just aren't equipped to handle the massive cat and dog overpopulation in the United States.

You can try your local ASPCA/RSPCA or Humane Society, or, even better, your local Animal Care and Control (AC&C). At the ASPCA and Humane Society, you can adopt a cat or dog for free. At the AC&C, there is usually a small fee (when I adopted my cats, it was $30 for one cat and $45 for two). The ASPCA and the Humane Society pride themselves on being no-kill shelters, but what they don't tell you is that they send all the cats and dogs they can't find homes for to the AC&C, and if the AC&C can't find homes, they will euthanize the animals. So, if you go to the AC&C, you will have to pay a small fee, but you will definitely be saving a life. The animals at the ASPCA and the Humane Society have more time on their sides, while the animals at the AC&C are in immediate danger of being killed.

Contrary to popular belief, shelter animals are not unhealthy, disease-ridden strays. Most of them are animals who once had a home, but for whatever reason, were abandoned or given up by their owners. And the ones that are strays are screened for diseases.

When I was there, I got an 8 year-old tabby whose owners had given him up because they had had a baby that turned out to be allergic to cats. This cat is the gentlest, sweetest, most friendly cat in the world, and I love him more than anything. The other cat was a tiny stray kitten, just as sweet and just as cuddly, and the two of them are best friends.

Trust your instincts. A cat that is friendly and sweet at the shelter is likely to be the same way at home. If you find a cat that just seems right for you, go with it. And if you don't find someone special that day, you can always go back the next day, and they will have a whole new set of cats to look at.
Convincing parents to get you a pet can be challenging at times. Make sure you plan it out and know what you are going to say. Research kittens and find some cool facts about them. Know that cats/kittens take responsibility to take care of. Let your parents know you will be responsible and affectionate. Volunteer to help pay for the kitten or volunteer to be the one in charge of feeding or grooming. Make sure you list out what you are going to say. Good luck!