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We never had to go and adopt a cat. One morning, when the kids went out to play, they left the kitchen door open, and a big black and white striped cat strolled in. He sat down next to my wife, who was clearing dishes at the sink, looked up at her and said his first word to to his new family. Some may say it was just a cat's meow, but as we later found it, it was, "Hey, I'm here. What's for breakfast?"

After my wife got over her initial shock at seeing this strange animal next to her, she obediently put out a plate of leftover scrambled eggs and bits of bacon. The can looked a bit miffed, sniffed and then rather reluctantly ate the meal. Another meow meant, "OK, if that's the best you can do, I'll do you a big favor and eat it."

So, did we adopt this strange cat who came to breakfast? No, he adopted us and stayed around for more than 12 years. When the kids returned, they were delighted, and despite my wife's warnings, they immediately started petting him. He accepted it without showing any signs of resistance or anger. The kids did the "could we keep him, huh" routine, but my wife insisted they check neighborhood houses to see if any people would claim him. Either someone was glad to get rid of him, or he didn't belong to anyone nearby.

The next task was to name the new arrival. Simple. It was the Memorial Day holiday, so our new family member was to be called Mems. He proved to be a very responsible family member, because he took to the kids like a Mary Poppins. He took them for walks, knowing they thought they were taking him for walks. He took them to the school bus that stopped two blocks from our home in the morning, and was there in the afternoon when the bus returned. When anyone in the family was sick in bed, Mems always cuddled up next to the patient, giving warmth and assurance. At such occasions, the kids called him Doctor Mems, and it was only half in jest.

Of course, for parents who want to adopt cats or kittens, our reverse adoption of Mems is rarely the way to do it. We were always very happy that Mems decided to adopt us, but for others the best way is to contact a local cat shelter. Those organizations take in strays, contributed cats and kittens, then make sure all the health requirements are met,. All adoptees are clean and flea-free when new families pick them up. Your cost would be between $25 and $100.

Of course, you can always look in the want ads or check with neighbors for kittens "free to a good home" offer. Even with a free animal, you should make sure you're adopting a healthy one, and if necessary, you'll be responsible that it gets correct health care and required shots. When there are small kids in the family, consider the potential dangers of having a growing, clawed animal in the house with them.

Another way is to buy a cat or kitten at a pet store. Because of all the bad publicity about poor care in so-called animal factories, there are legitimate stores where it is safe to buy a new feline friend. Just make sure the store has a clean record and your adoptee has had all the necessary shots and other healhcare. Your cost would be between $50 and $200.

At the top of the adoption list are the purebred cats and kittens. If you're willing to shell out $500 to thousands for a family friend, you're either out of your mind or you intend to enter the animal in cat show competitions.

Learn more about this author, Ted Sherman.
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