When deciding what kind of pet you should adopt, there's no right answer, as this will depend on a variety of factors. Whether you should adopt a kitten or cat might depend on your lifestyle, the size of your family, your expectations for your pet, and other key elements you should discuss as a family. Research is essential when picking any pet, especially when deciding between an older or younger cat. With that being said, I would personally recommend to anyone in the market for a new pet to buy a cat.
I have been volunteering regularly at the Humane Society for a long time, and it's no exaggeration that people always go for the kittens and ignore the older cats. I've heard many different myths about adopting adult cats, all of which are false. Some people are under the impression that older cats are at the pound because they're bad or they misbehave, so they aren't suitable for a household. This simply isn't true. Many times cats are abandoned due to a lack of motivation to take care of the pet, a family's decision to move, the death of an owner, or an inability between the cat and another pet to get along. Many older cats are also strays that irresponsible owners don't bother bringing back home.
While it is true that older cats might have certain quirks, so do kittens. When adopting a cat from the pound, they will make sure that it's the best fit possible. If a cat is terrified of other animals, and you have two dogs and three cats, it evidently isn't going to work out. Likewise, if the cat isn't good with children, you'll be warned in advance. This is a luxury you won't have when buying a kitten. No past owner has been able to warn the workers about the cat's personality, nor has the kitten fully matured and developed all of its different traits and characteristics.
Some might argue that they would rather adopt a kitten because they can socialize and train it to their liking. However, consider the fact that most owners look for the same things in a cat, and train them accordingly. They want them to use the litter box (it's rare to find a cat who doesn't use the litter box, anyway, as they naturally want to hide their waste), stay off the furniture and counters, and avoid scratching anything valuable. Most owners find that their adopted adult cats are already well-trained. If this isn't the case, you should know that abandoned cats are the most loving creatures you will ever meet in your life. These cats have been dropped off into a strange place where they rarely get the full attention and love they need. Once you bring them into your home, they will bend over backwards in order to make you happy and keep their new family. It is not difficult in any way to train an older cat.
People seem to be under the impression that it's difficult to train a cat when it's already learned something from another owner, but this is not true. With the correct research and technique, it is just as easy, if not easier, to train an older cat as it is to train a kitten. Therefore, if your concern is that you won't be able to mould an older cat to suit your lifestyle and home, you can put these worries to rest.
It's also a misconception that older cats are lazy, and that kittens are far more entertaining and playful. This, again, is a myth. As long as they are stimulated with toys and attention, I have seen older cats play just as much as kittens, and then some. Cats love batting at pieces of string or chasing after balls across the floor, but many people don't bother entertaining them because they figure they're "too old". Not only are cats great for snuggles (while kittens often have to be well asleep before we can cuddle with them for more than two minutes), but they're also eager to play and have fun. Adult cats are versatile, because they often respond to our desires. If we're sleeping, they'll come curl up next to us; if we dangle a piece of string in front of them, they'll play. Kittens often do whatever they feel like doing, whether we want some quiet time or not.
Finally, please know that while animal shelters try their hardest to save animals, many are far from being no-kill. With the current economy, shelters are overwhelmed with abandoned animals who need homes, and beautiful, loving and wonderful cats are being put down simply because there isn't enough space to keep them all. When you first enter the pound, it might be tempting to rush over to the kittens and admire them. However, I don't think any of us can take a look at those older cats without feeling guilty. They seem so depressed and morose, as if they know their time might soon be up.
If you're thinking about getting a pet, I ask you to please strongly consider buying an older cat. I can guarantee that they make loving, caring pets, as though they somehow know that you have saved them from what could have very well been a premature death. I can assure you that all of those kittens will be adopted immediately, while you can be happy knowing that you have saved a precious life.