I found Mr.Peach in the park and the vet said he was about 5 weeks old at the time. I would not get a kitten again..I had forgotten what it was like to have a baby in the house! PetSmart has cats from the shelter here for a fee which includes shots, neutering, etc. (definitely costs less than a "free" cat that you have to take to the vet for shots, neutering, etc.). Peach has his claws and uses a scratching post and though he never goes outside I didn't have his claws removed because my vet doesn't really think it is a good thing unless he decided to destroy furniture. I suspect if you get an older kitty it will not scratch furniture. Peach doesn't bother sewing "stuff" but loves to sit on fabric..especially what I am working with at the time! He is not a "lap cat" but he is always in the same room with me. He also sleeps by my side but never under the covers like my last cat did for 20 years. It sounds like you have prepared everything and some lucky kitty is out there waiting for you. I wish you many years of being owned by a cat. You have got to love it!