I'd have to agree--the best cat parents are those who adopt a cat for
companionship, fun, and most of all, love.  Granted it's good thing for
the cat's owner has the werewithal for good food, regular vet checkups,
inocculations etc etc, but I would assume most of the people on this
board are of less than extravagant means. =o)  However, I hope the
kitty in the picture WILL go to a loving, responsible human family that
will value him for many years to come.

Melissa

[[I don't think that "able to spend lots of money on a cat" necessarily
equates
to "considers the cat valuable and treats the cat well."

It's a slippery slope to suggest (even hint at) the idea that rich people
are
better caretakers than poor(er) people]]

I was thinking more along the lines of people taking the stance that "cats
are hard to come by, and therefore I will take care of the one I have".
People tend to place value on whatever costs them time and effort to
achieve, so I'm hoping that attitude will result in these imported kitties
being treated as important and valuable.

This is in contrast to the attitudes of some (so-called) people in places
where cats are plentiful. The ones that adopt a pet at the start of summer
vacation and leave it behind when they go home, the ones that neglect
their pets or abuse them... and the ones who don't care if their pet is
lost or dies because "they can just get another one". ARRRRGH. If only
THOSE morons would find it difficult or impossible to obtain a pet...
maybe they either wouldn't bother trying, or else they'd treat it better
if they did get one somehow.

Donna