DH wants to buy an abyssinian kitten, I want to find a rescue cat. Pros and cons please

[tryhardrep]

We have two DC, 5 and almost 3. Haven't had a cat since DD1 was a baby and our beloved old mog died suddenly. We think we're ready again i.e. DD2 can I think be trusted to be gentle with a new cat. Growing up we always had rescue cats/cats that friends or family couldn't look after. Sometimes they had kittens so we did have the lovely kitten experience too but I suppose I've always felt a duty to rehome a needy rescue cat. However, DH has fallen in love with Abyssinians as a breed but I'm a bit concerned that:
(a) they might be a bit neurotic and not ideal for small children
(b) health-wise they might be a bit fragile (some seem to be prone to a thing called Renal Amyloidosis)
(c) house training a kitten could be really hard work (is it like potty training all over again?!)

But I may be being unfairly prejudiced and they are gorgeous. Would love to hear thoughts/experiences.

Thanks v much

[BagCat]

Personally I'd go for a rescue cat every time but that's just because there's so many great cats out there looking for their forever homes and it's so rewarding to think you gave them a great life after them being dumped/whatever. You can get kittens from rescue too, so maybe that is a compromise to think about?

[Lonecatwithkitten]

There is a solution that will suit you both the Abyssinian cat club of great Britain has a list of Abyssinians who through no fault of their own are looking for new homes - result rescue cat and an abyssinian!

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Millie and Clio both could be possibles for you.

[cozietoesie]

I saw them earlier - and they both look like real honeys!

[colditz]

Who is going to be one cleaning of the kitten crap?

[tryhardrep]

sorry for sluggish response - has been a crazy busy weekend.

Thanks v much for your thoughts. And especially for introducing me to the Abyssinian cat club of great Britain - a fab resource!

colditz that will almost certainly be me!

[VenusRising]

Re homing an older cat or pair sounds like the best option.

But don't worry about training a new pedigree kitten, they are only released at >three months, so are totally litter trained when you get them.

[thecatneuterer]

I just posted this in a thread above, but it's worth repeating: From a moral point of view you shouldn't be paying anyone to bring more cats into the world (ie a breeder). Hundreds of cats in the UK are put down every day because there aren't enough homes to go round. As you have a home to offer you can make a small difference by taking a homeless cat/kitten. If you buy one you are just encouraging people to add to the already appalling cat overpopulation problem.

Just look at any cat charity website and read about the problem.