Hi Abbie,

Welcome to the forum.

I agree with everyone else and have to say if you can't afford it, don't get it.

A cat is a huge commitment and you will have to think about injections and neutering. If you don't want your cat to have kittens, the kitten will need to be neutered - and to be honest I think anyone that isn't a breeder should get their cat neutered. For cost if nothing else!

If you buy a boy he will spray everywhere - which means neutering is a godsend and for a female - well, let's just say my little girl entered season before the vet anticipated, and it was three days of hell! My poor little girl wailing all day and all night and trying to hump anything that she came into contact with! I couldn't wait to get her done!! She was like she was in pain and there was no way I was going to allow her to get "with child"

Plus if you are going away - it seems better to wait after your trip.

Remember also cats can be very independent. I have two that would happily stay in my arms and would probably like to be strapped to me 24 hours a day but not all cats are like that! Some only acknowledge you at meal times!!

Plus remember they aren't kittens for long and you are getting a cat not a kitten, I know this seems a silly thing to say but a lot of people forget that they are little cute balls of fluff for very long. It's a hell of a lot of commitment and you need to think about where you will be living it the future - will you be able to take the cat with you when you return from Australia. The situation with your mum's dog is another indicator that it would be best to wait.

Sorry if that seems negative but I see lots of cats that end up being rehomed after a few months and always worry that people don't take them on a a life long (their life) commitment.

Alternatively have a word with one of the cat rehoming charities, they often look for foster homes for cats - this benefits people that want a cat but can't give a long commitment but gives cats that haven't had a good start in life the chance to settle before they are rehomed. They would need to check that you could offer the cat the right home and have the stability for them.

All the best with what you decide.