Cats and Kittens that are up for adoption often have an unknown past. This means that they could have suffered abuse or experienced a dysfunctional or feral upbringing. Sometimes cats have been considered abandoned, lost or stray and have simply been handed in at a shelter. Cats in both categories can be more vulnerable but, conversely, they can also be tough and more adaptable than the cat that has led a comfortable life.
There is always an element of luck in obtaining a rescue cat as often you only have your instinct to go by. However, the rewards can be great: you may gain a feline friend that enriches the lives of all who encounter it.