Rob: I encountered similar difficulties. I first tried the dog pounds, run by local towns, one had one old cat, another was "Closed", but the employees were visible inside.
I found a place about a mile down the road from, didn't know they even existed ! They are a no kill place, operated out of a residence. They had about 30 cats, 20 kittens, made me wait 2 weeks. The kitten was about 6 weeks old, they wouldn't release it until 8 weeks.
I had to fill out an application ( about 3 pages long). They don't check the info, filling out the form seems to indicate you are serious enough about wanting the kitten.
They charged $50, gave first shots, you can't fix the kitten until about 6 months old. Females are better, they tend to roam an area about 1/10 of a male cat ( if allowed outdoors). This one isn't going out. Males tend to "mark" their territory, you don't want that !
But spay the female. A female cat in heat, isn't pleasant either. I reccomend a short-hair female. That line should get a comment, or two.
The long haired types, shed a lot, and make a mess, also the fur tends to get matted and you then need to take it to a pro , for grooming, often requiring the cat to be sedated and shaved. I won't brush a cat for half an hour daily.
The kittens are available, just not where you think. A shelter is probably better than a kid in front of the supermarket.
A Petstore may not give the info, they want to sell you a cat.
Forgotten felines may help, not sure if they are national, but something similar must exist where you live. I got mine from a local place, that surely doesn't exist where you are.
Good Luck,
Doug