Yeah I would say get a female one, I think the boys can smell (not sure if that’s cats or rats lol). If I where you I would talk to you family about it and make the decision together and then go and pick one out together. Cats are really great pets thought we’ve had lots over the years. We live more in the country and they just do what they please, we have a cat flap so they can go in and out as they please, you can also lock the cat flap which is good. They just go out and can have a shit and look around and what not. Over all cats are great pets, however I would strongly suggest that if you live near a busy road not to get one. So yeah I would say talk to the family and decide together whether to get one or not.