Shorthair is good and also try to get a young cat not a kitten. That's what we did and have never regretted it. Also don't go for a feral cat they never get accustomed to humans.
We use cat food that helps fight urinary problems. Most rescue places have already spayed or neutered.

So how old?

Good luck. I love my kitties but I like them outdoors so I don't have any tips for you on keeping them indoors.

Age is your choice. Remember - young kittens (less than 12 weeks old) go first. Adults have a tendency to get adopted slower. Young adults (3 - 11 months old) can be hard to place because they are no longer the *cute* kittens but do not have 'established' personalities yet. Some people go for the older cats because they are more settled and don't want to deal with wild kitten behavior.

Great advice, thanks. I hope my daughter will be reasonable. She is fairly cautious!

Having had both male and female, solo and multiples, declawed (came to me that way) and natural I support every thing that PamH, jrhboxers, and Grammy O5 have said.
Your vet should advise you but usually it is around 6 months for spay/neutering.
Cats are wonderful additions to a home, and great companions. Love them to pieces and enjoy thier antics.

I knew I'd find good advice here! Stay tuned. We have calls into the cat rescue folks.

Some shelters / states will not let you take the kitten if you are going to declaw they are against it. I would get a spray bottle with water it is a great deterant. there have some apple bitters at the pet store that cats do not like you can put on your furniture if she is scratching they have some great cardboard scratchers that are rectangular shaped and work really well. I have had many cats over the years and I may not be an expert but these are the tricks we used and work.

I remember my Mom training the kitten w the spray bottle!TY

I second the spray bottle idea - we used to call it the "Cat Convincer".