Hi NewCat and welcome to Cat Forum!
I was in much the same situation as yourself. I had been owned by several dogs through the years, but finally got to a point where pets were just not to be a part of my life, due to a hectic schedule. I finally got to a point where I could have a pet, but a kitty was the best choice for my current living quarters, schedule, etc. So, I started studying all I could, to learn as much about kitty care as possible. My GF has a kitty and her mother had a small cattery for several years, so I had a lot of assistance.
NewCat said:
It seems (what people use to say) that a cat is an animal that basically ignores you, and just cares about being fed and being warm...
Ahhh, beware of this mindset. Kitties will want to have their own quiet time in their own quiet spaces, but they are very loving animals, too. They do require certain things to survive, such as food and warmth, but they also require your love to thrive.
NewCat said:
But I would like your help to make me understan what I could expect from a cat, what type of relationship will I have with it...that kind of things.
Probably the first thing to understand is that cats are definitely not dogs. They rarely (if ever) will play fetch with you. There are even those days when they refuse to admit your presence when you are calling them by name. But when they decide it is time to be loved, they will seek you out and demand that you love them. On a typical evening, as I walk up the steps, Angel will usually come see who has had the insensitive audacity to disturb her sleep :wink:, stretch, yawn and go to see if I have put her dinner down for her. :lol: As the evening progresses, she will usually seek me out and demand that I scratch her neck and pet her, while she purrs like a freight train.
NewCat said:
Another question is the breed. I would like just to have a kitten from a rescue.
Good for you! There are hundreds of loveable kitties in rescues, just waiting for people like you to give them a "forever home". If there is a humane society or shelter near you, pay them a visit. Learn what their adoption requirements are. Learn what they are going to provide for the adoption fee. Ask to visit with the kitties, to see if there is a kitty there that touches your heart. (Be careful, they will ALL seem special to you!

) Visit your local pet shop and check out the items you will need to purchase. Bowls for food and water, food, treats, litter and litter box and don't forget the TOYS! I have found a tremendous amount of information on this forum and also at
http://www.littlebigcat.com Spend some time learning all that you can, before you rush out and grab the first available kitty.
NewCat said:
There are cats that live in the street here at Madrid ( Spain ) and why buy one when you can get one for free, and save its life?
I would recommend that you not start out that way. I am like you, I hate to see strays, but some strays can be feral and it really takes a person with a lot of cat wisdom to socialize a feral. It can be done, but it is usually not easy.
If there are breeds that you are specifically looking for, by all means, keep looking. I am betting that the shelters in Spain are like the shelters here and you will find many purebred kitties that have been given up. When I was ready to sdopt, I had my heart set on a Persian and I found lots of them in shelters in this geographical area.
Keep reading and keep looking and I bet you will find the furbaby that is right for you. Keep us informed, OK? Good luck in your search!
Peace,
Mike