We have been thinkikng about getting a companion for our cat, Norton,
who is strictly an indoor cat except for leash walks on occasion.

I saw a picture in the local paper of a cat at the animal shelter who
needs to be adopted who looks just like her and I called.  She is still
available, has a mild temperment, and they think she is about five or
six years old.  She is a stray, but is friendly.  The woman I talked to,
however, said it is not a good idea to introduce another female adult
cat into our household because our cat, also a female, has had no
contact with other other cats since kittenhood, and they are close to
the same age.  She said it won't work unless the new cat is a kitten.

Is this always true?  I know I have read of ways to gradually introduce
grown cats.  I would be willing to do this because I don't want the
shelter cat to be put to sleep!  My husband is afraid our cat, who is
VERY spoiled, would feel put-upon, and my husband doesn't like change,
though he wasn't crazy about this getting this cat either, and now loves
her to pieces.  He would be willing to accept a kitten, but, as I said,
this shelter cat has had no takers and I don't want it to be put to
sleep.

What do you guys think?  My cat is friendly to people, though she hides
when there are any children around, which isn't often.  I have no idea
how she would react to another cat.  If I get this new cat, there will
be no going back.  Is it possible that they might never get used to each
other?

Thanks for any advice you might have.  

Dot