You like cats and would love to have one of your own, but are not sure how to take care of one. Don't worry! If you are a reasonable intelligent person the cat will have you trained in time at all.

Just in case you have some trouble understanding her requirements, here are a few tips.

When you first take your new companion home try to keep her indoors for a while. Allow her to get to know her new home at her own pace. Just make sure that her favourite food and bowl of clean water are available. Put them in the palce where you plan to feed her in future.

Put a sandbox for her to use the first few days - but make sure you do not put it anywhere near her food. If you have a garden she will probably begin to go outside after a day or two, then you can dispense with the sandbox.

She may be able to come and go from the house without asking you to open the door; it depends on the design of your home. Cats are usually able to slip through burglar-proofing and one blade of some well-pretectd lovers may be removed for her convenience. Adult cats need two meels a day; kittens three or four. A newly weaned kitten should be given some soft food, such as boneless fish, to which a little cooked rice has been added. Cat-chow can be introduced gradually.

An adult cat may be fed tinned or packaged moist food, or she ma prefer minced fish or meat cooked with some rice. She will let you know what she likes best. Most cats enjoy cat-chow and it is a good idea to leave some in a bowl for her to nibble between meals. Cats are dedicated nibblers.

Encourage your cat to try different foods so that, if you cannot obtain her favourite you will still be able to get her to eat something. You should be aware, however, that cats are notoriously stubborn and, by starvation, will try to blackmail you into providing their favourite food.

The water bowl should be filled with fresh water every day. Once weaned cats do not need milk. In fact, drinking substantial amounts of it may lead to diarrhoea. However, if the cat likes a little milk to drink let her have some. Cats vary in their preference for milk from 'couldn't care less' to 'need my own personal cow'.

Your cat should be offered a place of her own to slepp - a box or special cushion. There is, however, no guarntee that she will use it. She will probably preferr the most comfortable chair in the living room or your bed.

A new kitten should be provided with a box lined with newspaper and a old towel. A clock may be placed in a corner of the box or nearby, as it will provide a comforting noise to a kitten who has been to snuggling up to his mother and hearing her heartbeat.

Female cats become mature about 9 mounth of age and should be spayed at that time to prevent them from producing up to three litters of kittens every year. The operation does harm the cat and will make both her life and yours easier. She will be contented, affectionate pet (less vulnerable to certain types of cancer) and you will not have to try to find homes three times a year. Remember, it is not always possible to find homes for all the kittens.

Male cats should be neutered at about 6-7 months of age. You will not then have to put up with the spraying by which a tom-cat marks his territory (your home). He will not disappear for days at a time only to return badly injured in a mating fight. You will gain a pet ho will retain his hunting instincts and (very likely) some of his 'macho' attitudes while becoming more of a home-body.

So....now you know a little more about cats and how to care to care for them how about adopting one?

At the T & TSPCA we have cats and kittens in all shapes, colours and sizes. There is sure to be one there who will make you an ideal copanion.

We shall be glad to help you adopt a cat, we can even make arrangements for that spaying or neutering mentioned earlier.

Come and see us on Saturdasy between 9:30 a.m. and 2p.m.