The first thing you should consider is whether you will be able to handle having a vocal cat. Some cat breeds can actually be quite noisy. While many cat owners do not have a problem with these vocal breeds, as they realize their cats are just communicating with them, a loud cat can be a problem in an apartment situation. Breeds that are very vocal are the Siamese Cat, the Korat, and the Burmese. The Scottish Fold, Somali, and the American Curl are considered to be very quiet cat breeds.

Next, you will want to think about whether you want a cat who is cuddly or if a more aloof breed is right for you. If you do not have a lot of free time, a cuddly cat who loves attention may be the wrong choice. However, affectionate cats are usually better with children than more reserved breeds. Some of the friendliest cat breeds are the Snowshoe, Abyssinian, Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Tonkinese, and the Himalayan Persian. Less sociable breeds are the Norwegian Forest Cat, the Nebelung, and the Russian Shorthair.      

If you are looking for a cat who can amuse himself and will not get into constant mischief, then the Sphynx, Siamese, Rex, Balinese, and British Angora breeds may be a bad choice. These cats are very inquisitive and energetic. However, for someone who is homebound or has a lot of free time, these cats are a wonderful source of entertainment. In fact, the Rex is downright silly in his attempts to amuse those around him.

Of course, while you are looking at what cat breed to shop for, don’t get so caught up in selecting the right temperament that you overlook other important features. One of the most important things to consider when you are looking for the right cat is whether you want a long haired or short haired breed. People who don’t have a lot of time to devote to a pet may want to opt for a short haired breed. Although that fuzzy ball of fluff may look adorable right now, grooming adult long haired cats can take up quite a lot of time. If you neglect your cat’s coat, it can tangle and matt up at an alarmingly fast rate, right down to his skin. Once this happens, your only option is to have him shaved completely, which can be quite traumatic. Also, your cat will probably have to be sedated before he can be shaved down, which poses a health risk.

Once you consider all of the different features and traits for the cat breeds you are interested in, you will finally be ready to start searching for your new pet. Now, you will need to decide whether you want a kitten or if you would prefer to give an abandoned older cat a second chance. If you are looking for a certain breed of kitten, check out your local cat show, since most exhibitors have a few kittens for sale. If an older cat is right for you, give your local humane society or animal rescue a call.

Susan’s interest in understanding people and animals has been lifelong. At 11, she learned to take care of an orphaned Maine Coon kitten. Later, Susan became the first junior member of the New York Herpetological Society, then based at The Bronx Zoo near her home. One freezing cold March day, a man brought in a baby boa constrictor who had been born after his mother was discovered in a shipment of bananas. Only the size of a pencil, and fed only once since his birth the previous year, he was nursed to health by Susan, and remains with her to this day, although he has grown quite a bit larger and heavier at age 40. At fifteen, Fiedler’s experiences with reptiles and amphibians led her to contribute the humorous column “Snakes Alive” to her summer camp newsletter.

Flash forward to Queens College (CUNY, NYC) where she studied Cultural Anthropology, Psychology, and Ancient Civilizations. At Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ) she earned a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Service, which enabled her to become more comfortable with computers and enhance her research skills.

Articles written by her husband David led them to start a publishing company which specialized in reviewing products and services in the computer industry. Two magazines and one newsletter were successfully launched and eventually sold. David kept writing about computers, while Susan went on to other projects.

Two sons and lots of volunteer work later, Susan did what many Moms do: she went back to work. She now works at a pet superstore with some of her favorite animals, and teaches people how to properly care for their own pets.

Susan does not do animal communication "commercially", only within the family.