(peppy music)
[onscreen text] Adopting the right cat.
[onscreen action] Family and cat sitting on the couch.

[Female Narrator] To help ensure a lasting relationship
with your new companion, you'll need to choose
the right cat for your family.

[onscreen action] 
Cat sitting in sink while woman brushes hair.
Woman and child petting cat on couch. 

[Narrator] So it's important to know which personality traits
you're looking for in a cat before you visit
an animal shelter or rescue group.

[onscreen action] Cat at scratching post.

[Narrator] These are the things you'll need
to consider before you adopt.
First, can you afford a cat?

[onscreen action] Cat being inspected by veterinarian. 
Research suggests an average cat
will cost about 650 dollars a year.

[onscreen action] Woman and child playing with cat in living room. 

[Narrator] Second, do you have the time it takes
to exercise and play with your cat?
And finally, consider the personality you're looking for.
Do you want a cuddly, lap cat or one
that's playful and active?

[onscreen action] Cat sitting on table and cat tree. 

[Narrator] Now, one of the most common mistakes people make
when adopting is choosing a cat based
on his looks rather than his personality.

[onscreen action] Family petting cat on couch. 

[Narrator] For instance, if you have children or other pets,
it's important to know if the cat considering adopting
will get along well with them.
Shelter volunteers and staff interact
with the cats daily, so ask for their opinions
to help you make an informed decision.

[onscreen action]
 Cat playing with colorful rope. 
Woman petting two cats on couch. 

[Narrator] We all know kittens are cute and can be lots of fun
but they require a lot of your time and supervision.
If you do decide a kitten is right for your family,
consider adopting two together.
They can make great playmates and provide lots
of entertainment and companionship for each other.

[onscreen action] People holding and playing with cats. 

[Narrator] Of course, while most people are immediately
drawn to kittens, we encourage you
to consider adopting an adult cat.
They're typically less active, making it easier
to meet their exercise and playtime needs.
Most adult cats are already familiar
with family life, plus they can bond
with you just as quickly as a kitten, if not quicker.

[onscreen action] Webpage demonstrating features of petfinder.com.  
[onscreen text] www.Petfinder.com

[Narrator] To begin your search for your new best friend,
we recommend starting with Petfinder.com.
It's the largest pet adoption site in the world,
with over , pets available for adoption
from over , animal welfare organizations nationwide.
(bell music)