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A kitten will spend the next 16-20 years with you so it is important to select your new friend with care. A visit to the breeder's quarters will greatly enhance your chances of selecting an outgoing, emotionally stable and well-socialised kitten. Kittens prime socialisation period is before 7 weeks, which means that you rely heavily on the breeder of your kitten to socialise your kitten. When you visit see if the kittens are encountering the sort of things they would in your home. They must have negotiated with other cats in a non-threatening way. If you have a dog they should have met a dog. They also benefit from gentle, brief handling by a variety of men, women and responsible children. A good breeder will have gently examined their paws, mouths and ears in a friendly, non-threatening environment for a short time each day. This gets them used to the handling that they will have to tolerate for interaction with humans and for preventative health measures like worming and flea treatments. If possible meet both the mother and the father of the kittens. A bold outgoing tomcat is the greatest influence on breeding resilient kittens with less problems with stress and anxiety as adults. The mother has more control over raising and training kittens. Kittens hand-raised by humans often have unique behavioural problems as adults because they have not had a mother's firm paw as youngsters.

Have you bought your tickets for the Cat Film Festival yet? It's this Saturday so don't delay! All proceeds go to the RSPCA pet shelter here in the ACT. Canberra Cat Vet will have a stall at the Depot, too. Call in and say hello!

Cats and humans are very different. We're pretty intense in company, talking, hugging and kissing, but don't see our friends and family very often. Cats are much cooler. They prefer frequent check-ins but not a lot of prolonged physical interaction. Many cats regard our hugs and need for touch as oppressive and only just put up with it. They would rather be close by, reassured by a frequent word or stroke. Better if we allow our cats to initiate physical interactions. Studies show that cats that jump up on laps and curl up stay much longer than cats picked up and placed there. The little grey cat above chose that lap and looks perfectly relaxed - and in for the long haul - there. Cats appreciate minimal restraint and prefer to be in control at all times. They will enjoy our company much more if we respect their wishes.