There are so many benefits to adopting a cat, namely that you're giving a pet a second chance at a fulfilled family life! If you're wondering how to adopt a cat and what to expect during the process, read our guide. You've decided to give a cat from a shelter a forever home-a fantastic thing to do! There are so many pets in the UK that have been abandoned, abused or simply had owners that were no longer able to take care of them. All of these animals are looking for a second chance at a loving home. Whether you're looking to adopt a kitten or an adult cat with a fully formed, unique personality, there are many things to consider before bringing your new family member home. Find out how to adopt a cat and what you'll need for your new arrival with this guide. How to adopt a cat When considering how to adopt a cat, the first thing you need to do is locate a suitable shelter or charity with an established reputation. You can easily find plenty of these by searching for your local centres online. You can also try looking on Cats Protection, Blue Cross and RSPCA websites for your closest rescue centre to you. Once you've located one, most have online directories of the cats they currently have up for adoption, alternatively you can speak to the staff at the centre for advice on the kind of cat which will suit you.

Where some may find them overwhelming due to their large size, giant dog breeds actually make perfect family pets. Discover 10 of our favourite big dog breeds. Tiny teacup pups aren't for everyone - while their teeny paws may delight some dog lovers, there are those out there looking for a little more dog to love. Giant dog breeds can be intimidating, and of course they'll require more upkeep and a lot more space than a Chihuahua or a Shih Tzu, but their large size makes them the best cuddle companions and when well socialised, they can become amazing family members. If you've got room in your home and on your sofa, a giant dog breed can be the perfect match for you. Keep reading about our top 10 big dog breeds. 1. English Mastiff Standing between 27-35 inches tall and weighing around 200-230 pounds, the English Mastiff is among the biggest dog breeds alive today - in both height and weight. Known throughout history for its fearsome beginnings, this breed is descended from ancient war dogs and now warms sofas around the world and makes a loving family member. When they're not snuggled up with their favourite humans, this giant dog breed is also used for security, police and military work thanks to their high intelligence. 2. Irish Wolfhound

Cats with blue eyes have captured the hearts of people all over the world, but which cats actually have blue eyes? Keep reading to find out more and discover what can cause them. There's something special about a cat with blue eyes. Dazzling baby blues are a fairly unusual feature in the feline world and it's easy to see why so many people are drawn to them. Blue eyes in cats are generally caused by a lack of pigment, and all kittens are born with blue eyes because cats don't develop eye pigmentation until they're around six weeks old, when the production of melanin kicks in. Some cat breeds with blue eyes (especially pointed breeds) have a recessive albinism gene, which means that they'll always have bright blue eyes. Whereas other breeds have an extra gene which also blocks the coat colour, so these cats will not only have blue eyes but they'll also be white in colour. Here at Purina, we've created a list of cat breeds with blue eyes for all you blue eyed admirers. Balinese This blue eyed cat breed is a longhaired variety of the Siamese. The Balinese has a silky, flowing coat and gorgeously deep blue eyes. The breed's long and elegant body makes the cat incredibly graceful, and it's thanks to this elegance that they're named after the exotic dancers of Bali. The Balinese are known to be an affectionate breed and are extremely friendly toward their owners. They are willing to shower anyone who gives them attention in lots of love. Birman The Birman is a cat breed with blue eyes that's hard to resist. Their glossy blue eyes gives them a sweet appearance which will have you bending over backwards for them. Their common characteristics are gentle, affectionate and playful, making them ideal as family pets.

There's nothing cuter than a cat with big ears. Usually quite delicate in appearance, we think these kitties look nothing short of endearing when sporting bat-like ears, that's why we've created this list of our top 10 cat breeds with big ears - read on to find out who made the list! Cats are known for their delicate appearances with little toe beans, lithe bodies and small, boop-worthy noses. But nothing makes them appear more endearing than when these elegant little features are contrasted with a big pair of ears! We've put together this list to show you the best cats with big ears - some of which almost rival satellite dishes - so if you love your kitties a little more bat-like in appearance, read on! 10 cats with big ears From the playful Abyssinian to the mysterious looking Sphynx, here are our top 10 cat breeds with big ears:

Boasting cute, shaggy appearances that warm the hearts of people all around the globe, wire-haired dogs are nothing short of special. If you're looking for a bristly companion to bring into your life, take a look at our list of the best wire-haired dog breeds. Wire-haired dogs possess strong, robust coats which are a bit bristly to the touch. Aside from their unusual texture, these wire coats were mostly designed to protect them against the elements and kept them free from harm whilst running through the underbrush as the dense wire is much harder to penetrate than smoother coats. If you want to bring one of these endearingly shaggy dog types into your life, you'll likely be wondering what wire-haired dog breeds are out there, which is why we've created this list to show you our favourites. Keep reading to discover everything from fearless terriers to lively hounds! 1. Wire Fox Terrier This wire-haired terrier breed was originally bred to flush foxes out and their tough, intelligent coat meant they were less prone to injury whilst out hunting. Today, Wire Fox Terriers make great companions due to their brave and smart personalities but they'll need to be groomed regularly in order to keep their coat in tip top condition.

Black and tan dogs are truly stunning and their unique colouring has made them popular as show dogs and companions. At Purina, we think black and tan dog breeds are simply wonderful, that's why we've created this list of our top 9 favourites. Black and brown (or tan) is among one of the most striking colour combinations found in dogs. The two colours offer a stunning contrast which gives them a regal and smart appearance and once you see a dog of this hue, it's sure to make an impact. From elegant Dobermans to fearless Miniature Pinchers, we've created this list of black and tan dog breeds which are as wonderful in personality as they are in looks. 1. Rottweiler The Rottweiler is a strong and compelling black and tan dog that was originally bred to herd cattle to market. Due to their strength, they were also used to pull carts for butchers and farmers! Despite their often-fearsome reputation, this breed is very kind, loving and adores their people. Black and tan is the only hue you'll find this dog in and no other colour variations are currently accepted by The Kennel Club. 2. Doberman Perhaps one of the most iconic black and tan dog breeds on this list, the Doberman is a striking and elegant dog from Germany that has roots in guarding. Highly intelligent and very active, these dogs are extremely gentle and are always at their happiest when they're part of a family. Aside from stunning black and tan they can also be blue and tan, fawn and tan and red and tan.

Big cat breeds just means that there's more kitty for you to love! Find out more about the largest domestic cat breeds with Purina. Many of us often dream of having our very own tiger or leopard to snuggle up with, as their large toe beans and big stature just means there's more cat to love! Though it's not be possible to have these big cats as pets, there are actually quite a few big domestic cats which will quite happily share your residence. You may be wondering what cats are bigger than the average moggy, which is why we've done all the hard work for you and picked out our top 8 large cat breeds. 1. Maine Coon If you're looking for a big cat breed, you'll find everything you want with a Maine Coon. Weighing up to 20 pounds and with big, fluffy coats, they're a lot of cat to love. The Guinness World Record holder for the longest cat was actually a Maine Coon called Barivel, and measured an impressive 3ft 11.2in from head to tail tip.

Boasting super soft coats and a teddy bear-like appearance, fluffy cats are guaranteed to melt your heart and make perfect snuggle companions. Find out more about our top 8 fluffy cat breeds in this article. With their cuddly appearance and super soft fur, fluffy cats are almost like real-life teddy bears. There's nothing more comforting than when they're lying on your lap and you get to run your fingers through their silky coats. But, with great coat comes great responsibility, and it's important to know that there's a price to pay for a long, luxurious coat - and that's regular grooming! If you have enough time in your schedule for a fluffy cat breed, we promise they'll make the perfect cuddle companion. How does a cat's coat work? Cats can have up to three layers of coat which can be made up of the following: • Topcoat - these are the guard hairs on the surface, they're the thickest type and will protect your cat against the elements. • Undercoat - the undercoat is also referred to as 'down' and these are the incredibly soft and fluffy hairs which act as insulation. • Awn hairs - the awn hairs will depend on your cat's breed, but usually they make up your cat's normal coat. Not all cats will have all the layers and some will only have the one. 8 Fluffy cat breeds If you like your kitties with a little more fur, then you'll probably be wondering about the fluffy cat breeds you can get. This list of our top 8 has everything from Persians to Ragamuffins - keep reading to find the perfect fluffy cat for you. 1. Persian Most commonly seen as white fluff balls in television and film (think Mr. Tinkles in Cats & Dogs), the Persian is one of the best loved fluffy cat breeds. Their coat is long and thick all over, with an impressive ruff around their neck and a dramatic tail which would put your feather duster to shame. Due to their amount of fur, it should come as no surprise that they'll require daily grooming to ensure their coat's kept in tip top condition. 2. Maine Coon You'll probably know the Maine Coon as one of the largest cat breeds, and believe us when we say that they have the coat to match! Boasting long bushy tails and a thick, silky coat which was adapted for Maine's climate, this fluffy cat even has paws with thick fur, bred to help protect them against snow during the winter months.

Boasting shimmering coats which range in shade from silver to slate, it's clear that grey cats are simply stunning. Keep reading to find out about our top 7 grey cat breeds which are sure to steal your heart. Black, ginger, cream and brown - cats come in just about every shade imaginable. But there's just something extra special about grey cats, isn't there? Often referred to as 'blue cats' for the ethereal glow of their coat which contrasts with a vast spectrum of eye colours, these cats look nothing short of magical. If you love kitties with a coat of this enchanting hue, you may be wondering what grey cat breeds exist around the world. From far-flung places like Thailand and Russia to right here on our doorstep, discover our list of gorgeous grey cats, guaranteed to capture your heart.

Black and white cats are incredibly popular throughout the Country, but are there any specific breeds that come in this wonderful hue? Keep reading to find out more. Black and white cats have adorned our TV screens and book pages for years, from the Looney Toons Sylvester, Pinocchio's Figaro to our very own Felix. These monochrome kitties seem to have a personality all of their own and are well known for being mischievous. Some people even believe that they're more vocal and friendly than cats of other colours! It's no secret that cats with this colour combination are loved around the world, but did you know that there's actually no such thing as a purely black and white cat breed? Currently, there are no cat breeds that are exclusively black and white - instead it's just a colour variation that's available in some breeds. Types of black and white cats The colour patterns on black and white cat breeds are actually known by different names, the most common pattern variations are as follows: • Locket: mostly black with just a small bit of white, usually located on the stomach or neck. • Mitted: black all over with only white feet which look like mittens. • Tuxedo: black body with white feet, chest, stomach and nose which makes the cat appear like they're wearing a tuxedo. • Bicoloured: half black and half white colouring. • Magpie: white cats with random black spotting. • Harlequin: similar to the magpie with random black spotting, but with a black tail as well. • Cap and saddle: coloured head with a saddle patch on the cat's back, these felines might also have a black tail. • Van: Splashes of black colouring between the ears with a black tail. Black and white cat breeds 1. British Shorthair The British Shorthair is an incredibly popular cat in England and where they're most commonly blue, but the breed can produce black and white cats too! Originally bred to keep rodents at bay in homes and on farms, Shorthair breeds have a thick, dense coat that was designed to keep them warm when living outside. They have kind, easy going personalities and get along famously with dogs and even children, therefore they're best suited to family life where they can get plenty of attention. 2. Cymrics Cymrics are often thought to be a long-haired version of the Manx cat and much like them, they can be completely tailless. If this black and white cat breed has no tail whatsoever, the cats are referred to as 'rumpies', whereas if they have just a stump of a tail they are called 'stumpies'. The lack of tail is the result of a genetic mutation, which just happened to become a staple of the breed because of the remote location of the Isle of Man where they were bred. These black and white cats make kind and loving housemates but are very people orientated, so they're best suited to individuals that don't spend too much time out of the home. Did you know? There's a legend surrounding the Manx/Cymric cat tails. The story goes that they were napping when Noah summoned the animals to the ark, then just as the door was closing, they woke up and bolted to the door! The cat just made it, but their tail got snipped off in the door in the process.