How to Buy a Kitten or Cat in the United States | PetzLover
To buy a kitten or cat in the United States safely, choose a seller you can visit, see the kitten with its mother or littermates, check its vet records and any registration papers, and pay only once you have met the animal. Plan for the full cost too: the ASPCA estimates a cat costs about $1,904 in its first year, well beyond the purchase price.
Kittens and cats for sale range from pedigree kittens from registered breeders to mixed-breed kittens from home litters and adult cats whose owners are moving. The steps below help you pick the right kind of cat for your home, spot a trustworthy seller and avoid the deposit scams that target kitten buyers.
Key points
- Meet the kitten and the seller in person before you pay anything; scam ads often use stolen photos and ask for deposits by wire, gift card or payment app.
- Most kittens should stay with their mother until at least 8 weeks old, and many pedigree breeders keep them until around 12 to 13 weeks.
- Ask for vet records showing vaccines given so far, deworming and, ideally, an FeLV/FIV test; registration papers from CFA or TICA prove parentage, not health.
- Budget for the first year: the ASPCA puts it at about $1,904, including spay or neuter, microchip and routine vet care.
- Rules on sales, rabies shots and declawing are set by states and cities, so check where you live.
Where can you find kittens for sale in the US?
You will see kittens and cats for sale from four main kinds of sellers. Each suits a different buyer, and knowing which one you are dealing with tells you what paperwork and price to expect.
- Pedigree breeders raise one or two breeds, such as Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Siamese or British Shorthair, and usually register litters with a registry such as the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) or The International Cat Association (TICA).
- Home litters are mixed-breed kittens from a family cat. They are often low priced but rarely come with full vaccines or a written contract.
- Owners rehoming an adult cat because of a move, allergy or a new baby. An adult's personality is already known, which helps if you have children or other pets.
- Shelters and rescues usually adopt rather than sell, but the fee often covers spay or neuter, first vaccines and a microchip.
On PetzLover you can browse kittens and cats for sale and filter by breed and location, save the search to get alerts when new kittens are listed near you, and message the seller through PetzLover before you arrange a visit. If you are open to an adult cat, the guides on adopting a cat and getting a free kitten or cat safely cover those routes.
Should you buy from a breeder or adopt from a rescue?
Neither is better for everyone. A breeder makes sense if you want a particular coat, size or temperament, for example a long-haired Persian for a quiet home or an active Bengal for a family that plays a lot. A rescue makes sense if you mainly want a healthy, friendly companion and are happy with a mixed breed or an adult.
| Point | Pedigree breeder | Shelter or rescue |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Purchase price, often much higher than adoption fees | Adoption fee that usually includes basic vet care |
| Age | Usually goes home at 12 to 13 weeks | Kittens and adults of all ages |
| Health work | Varies; ask for vet records and parents' screening | Often spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped |
| Papers | CFA or TICA registration, often held until spay or neuter | No pedigree papers |
| What you know | Breed traits and the parents' temperament | The cat's own personality, if it is an adult |
Whichever you choose, think about your household first. Long-haired breeds need regular grooming. Very active breeds get bored in a small apartment without play.
What should you ask a kitten seller before you buy?
- How old is the kitten, and when will it be ready to leave? Expect at least 8 weeks, and many breeders wait until 12 to 13 weeks so the first vaccines are done.
- Can I visit and see the kitten with its mother and littermates? A good seller expects this.
- Which vaccines has it had, and when is the next one due? Ask for the vet record, not just a verbal answer.
- Has the kitten, or the mother, been tested for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)?
- Has it been dewormed, treated for fleas and examined by a vet?
- For pedigree kittens: which registry, and are the parents' registration numbers available? Is the kitten sold as a pet or with breeding rights?
- Is there a written contract or health guarantee, and what happens if I can no longer keep the cat?
A seller who invites a visit and asks about your home in return is usually a good sign.
What health checks and papers should a kitten come with?
Veterinary guidelines from the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) treat feline panleukopenia, herpesvirus and calicivirus (often given together as the FVRCP shot) and rabies as core vaccines for pet cats, plus feline leukemia vaccine for cats under one year. Kittens need a series of shots, so a young kitten will still have boosters due after you bring it home.
The AAFP advises testing a cat's FeLV and FIV status as soon as possible after you acquire it. If the seller has not tested, book that test at your first vet visit, ideally before the new kitten meets any cats you already have.
Registration papers from CFA or TICA record the kitten's breed and parentage. They do not guarantee health or temperament. CFA notes it is common for breeders to hold back registration papers until you send proof the kitten has been spayed or neutered, so ask about this up front.
How do you avoid kitten scams?
The Federal Trade Commission warns that fake pet sellers advertise animals for far below normal prices, push you to decide quickly and ask for money up front for an animal that may not exist. The Better Business Bureau advises never buying a pet you have not seen in person and searching the ad photo online to see if it was copied from another site.
- The seller refuses a visit or video call and will only ship the kitten.
- You are asked to pay by wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency or a payment app; the FTC says only scammers insist on these.
- New fees appear after the deposit, for shipping crates, insurance or vaccines.
- A purebred kitten is offered for a few hundred dollars when the breed usually costs much more.
If an ad looks wrong, use the Report Scam button on the listing and report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
How much does it cost to buy and keep a cat?
Prices for pedigree kittens vary widely by breed, region and breeder, so compare several listings for the breed you want rather than relying on a single quote. Running costs are easier to plan. The ASPCA's estimates give a sense of scale:
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| First-year total | About $1,904 |
| Each year after | About $1,149 |
| Spay or neuter | About $150 |
| Initial medical costs | About $175 |
| Microchip | About $20 |
Low-cost spay and neuter clinics run by shelters can reduce the biggest one-off bill.
What US laws affect buying a cat?
Most rules are state or local. A few examples show the range: California has required pet stores since 2019 to offer only dogs, cats and rabbits from shelters or rescue groups, and New York banned pet store sales of dogs, cats and rabbits from 2024. Massachusetts law since April 2025 bars anyone from selling or transferring a cat under 8 weeks old. New York, Maryland and Massachusetts ban declawing except for medical reasons. Check your own state and city rules on licensing, rabies shots and how many cats you may keep. If you are on the other side of the deal, see how to sell kittens and cats responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age should a kitten be when you buy it?
At least 8 weeks, fully weaned and eating solid food. Many pedigree breeders keep kittens until about 12 to 13 weeks so the first vaccines are done and the kitten is well socialized. Be wary of anyone offering kittens younger than 8 weeks, which is also illegal in some states.
Are kittens for sale online safe to buy?
Many are genuine, but scammers copy photos of real kittens and ask for deposits. Meet the seller and the kitten before paying, and never pay by wire, gift card or cryptocurrency. Message the seller first and arrange a visit.
Do I need registration papers when I buy a cat?
Only if you want a pedigree cat and want proof of its breed and parents. Papers from CFA or TICA show parentage, not health. Many breeders release them after you prove the kitten has been spayed or neutered.
Should a kitten be tested for FeLV and FIV before I buy it?
Ideally yes, and if not, test it soon after you bring it home. The AAFP recommends knowing a newly acquired cat's status, especially if you have other cats. Keep the new cat apart until you have the result.
How much does a cat cost in its first year?
The ASPCA estimates about $1,904 for the first year and about $1,149 for each year after. That covers food, litter, routine vet care, spay or neuter and supplies, but not emergencies. Add the purchase price on top.
Can I buy a kitten from a pet store?
It depends on your state and city. California and New York, for example, only allow pet stores to offer cats from shelters or rescues. Buying from a breeder you can visit, or adopting, lets you see where the kitten was raised.
Helpful guides
Pet for SaleHow to Sell Kittens and Cats in the United StatesSell kittens or cats in the US by checking state and local rules, waiting until at least 8 weeks, providing vet records, writing an honest ad and meeting buyers in person with a written contract.
Pet for FreeHow to Get a Free Kitten or Cat Safely in the United StatesA free kitten or cat in the US still needs vaccines, testing, a microchip and spay or neuter; meet the owner and animal first, never pay shipping fees, and see a vet within a few days.
Pet for FreeHow to Give Away a Kitten or Cat for Free Without Risk in the United StatesGive a kitten or cat away safely in the US by waiting until kittens are 8 weeks or older, screening every caller, meeting in person, signing a short rehoming agreement and transferring the microchip.
Pet for AdoptionHow to Adopt a Kitten or Cat in the United StatesTo adopt a cat in the US, choose a shelter, rescue or owner listing, complete the application and meeting, pay the adoption fee, then give the cat a quiet room and a vet visit in the first weeks.
Pet for AdoptionHow to List a Kitten or Cat for Adoption in the United StatesList a cat or kitten for adoption in the US by setting clear adopter criteria, preparing vet records, charging a fair fee, screening applicants with a meeting, and signing an adoption contract with a return clause.
Pet for RehomingHow to Take In a Rehomed Kitten or Cat in the United StatesBefore taking in a rehomed cat in the US, ask the owner why it is being rehomed and about its health, habits and vet records, meet it at home, then give it a quiet room and several weeks to settle.
Pet for RehomingHow to Rehome Your Kitten or Cat Responsibly in the United StatesRehome your cat responsibly in the US by checking any return clause first, preparing vet records, writing an honest listing, screening applicants in person and handing over with a signed agreement and microchip transfer.
Pet for MatingHow to Find a Mate or Stud for Your Cat in the United StatesBefore you look for a cat stud in the US, check that both cats are registered, health tested and blood typed, and agree the terms in a written stud agreement.
Pet for MatingHow to Advertise Your Cat for Mating in the United StatesFinish health tests and blood typing, check local breeding rules, then list your cat for mating with papers, results and clear stud terms, and screen every queen owner.
Pet WantedHow to Respond to a "Cat Wanted" Ad in the United StatesBefore you answer a cat wanted ad, check that the person is real, can keep a cat where they live and will meet in person, and refuse any overpayment or shipping request.
Pet WantedHow to Post a "Cat Wanted" Ad and Get Replies in the United StatesA good cat wanted ad says what cat you hope for, where you live, how far you will travel and your budget, and you should never pay a stranger to ship a kitten unseen.
Lost PetHow to Help Find a Lost Cat in the United StatesLost cats usually hide silently close to home, so the most useful help is to search your own yard, garage and shed, report sightings with a photo and time, and never chase.
Lost PetWhat to Do When Your Cat Is Lost in the United StatesIf your cat is lost, search hiding spots within a few houses first, update the microchip registry, visit shelters in person, post a lost cat ad, and never pay a stranger before you see your cat.
Found PetHow to Find Your Lost Cat Through Found-Pet Ads in the United StatesCheck found cat ads and shelter lists every day, match by photos rather than descriptions, and have vet records, microchip papers and photos ready to prove the cat is yours.
Found PetWhat to Do When You Find a Cat in the United StatesWhen you find a cat, first check whether it is really lost, then get a free microchip scan, report it to local animal services, post a found cat ad and check proof before handing it over.