advice for those wanting to become foster parents (kittens, eating, safe)
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Hi all. My partner and I are thinking about fostering cats for one of our local adoption agencies. We currently have one cat. We have room in our apartment for one more (any more than that would be pushing it).
Ours is almost 3 years old. The adoption agency is looking for those willing to foster kittens (7-12 weeks old) and young cats (3-6 months old). That sounds great, but tbh, I've never had a cat who wasn't an adult. I don't necessarily know what that entails. We would also be leaving the foster home alone for up to 6 hours some days, due to our work schedules. Most days, they would definitely be alone for about four hours.
Does anyone have any advice? Does our situation sound conducive to becoming fosters? Thanks for any insight you might have!
Hi all. My partner and I are thinking about fostering cats for one of our local adoption agencies. We currently have one cat. We have room in our apartment for one more (any more than that would be pushing it).
Ours is almost 3 years old. The adoption agency is looking for those willing to foster kittens (7-12 weeks old) and young cats (3-6 months old). That sounds great, but tbh, I've never had a cat who wasn't an adult. I don't necessarily know what that entails. We would also be leaving the foster home alone for up to 6 hours some days, due to our work schedules. Most days, they would definitely be alone for about four hours.
Does anyone have any advice? Does our situation sound conducive to becoming fosters? Thanks for any insight you might have!
I wouldn't rule you out completely, but the fact that the fosters would be on their own for several hours a day, could have an affect on their socialization. It would also depend on what living arrangements you provide for them. For example, a room to themselves would be necessary while you're away, and to isolate them from your resident cats till they are old enough to interact with adult cats.
As you said, most rescues will be needing kitten raisers and you could probably do ok with them as long as they are safe from the other cats. Also depends if there is a Mama cat with them or not. If mama is with them, there would be less risk when leaving them during the day.
There may also be times when an older cat needs fostering before rehoming, and that can be a whole different ball game. Again, a lot depends on living arrangement, the fosters temperament, as well as your resident's temperament. Leaving an adult foster on it's own for hours on end could be problematic.
It might be best to contact a rescue, tell them your circumstances, and see what they say. I applaud you for wanting to foster, and wish you success in making it work. Just beware of the "Foster Failure" phenomenon.
I wouldn't rule you out completely, but the fact that the fosters would be on their own for several hours a day, could have an affect on their socialization. It would also depend on what living arrangements you provide for them. For example, a room to themselves would be necessary while you're away, and to isolate them from your resident cats till they are old enough to interact with adult cats.
As you said, most rescues will be needing kitten raisers and you could probably do ok with them as long as they are safe from the other cats. Also depends if there is a Mama cat with them or not. If mama is with them, there would be less risk when leaving them during the day.
There may also be times when an older cat needs fostering before rehoming, and that can be a whole different ball game. Again, a lot depends on living arrangement, the fosters temperament, as well as your resident's temperament. Leaving an adult foster on it's own for hours on end could be problematic.
It might be best to contact a rescue, tell them your circumstances, and see what they say. I applaud you for wanting to foster, and wish you success in making it work. Just beware of the "Foster Failure" phenomenon.
Thanks for the info! I confess that I am worried about the time we spend away from home. We would be able to give them their own room, away from our cat, though. I might just have to chat with someone at the organization and see what they think. Thanks again.
Thanks for the info! I confess that I am worried about the time we spend away from home. We would be able to give them their own room, away from our cat, though. I might just have to chat with someone at the organization and see what they think. Thanks again.
I have a good friend who has fostered for many years. She does not allow her resident cat to socialize with the kittens/cat for health and safety reasons. The shelter you'll work with may have opinions on this too--ask someone there about it.
While there are many happy moments, there can be sad ones too. She has had kittens die, for instance. I don't mean to be a downer, but it sadly does happen and is something you should at least be aware of.
I'd suggest asking the shelter to hook you up with one of their fosters and talk to him/her about their experiences.
I fostered a pair of kittens this summer, and they were so much fun to have around! Especially since I was dealing with the decline of my oldest cat (he passed on 8/25), so having the babies there was a welcome distraction.
I live alone (with my dog and then 3 cats) and work 40 hours/week, but the little ones were fine once we got into a routine. They had a full setup in my bathroom, with a scratching tower, food/water, litter pan, and plenty of toys + a nightlight and fan, since it was June and we don’t have A/C here. Every morning I’d let them out while I got ready, then feed them some canned food, shut the bathroom door and leave. They’d usually fall asleep right after a meal, so I assume they slept for at least a few hours after I was gone... and cats spend most of the day sleeping anyway, even when they’re babies.
As soon as I returned from work, they’d get another can of food in their bathroom; but this time I’d only close the door until they mewed to be let out, typically after a 30-ish minute nap. Then they’d have free run of the home all night, mostly spent playing and snuggling with me. Everyone seemed perfectly happy with this routine, and my own cats just kept their distance when the kittens were out & about. They thrived during the month I had them, became very sociable with humans, cats, AND dogs, and now live with a friend of mine. I visited them a couple weeks ago, and they’re doing fantastic. So I say go for it!
P.S. Feeding them in a closed room with a pan also helps with litter training, since they tend to pee & poop within ~10 minutes of eating. Plus they seemed to like having a safe space, and would go back on their own when they got tired or scared by something.
To show how they’ve thrived, and also because KITTEN PICS - here they are when I first got them, versus when I saw them recently. Their names are now Scarlet (with the white paws/chest) and Fibi.
(I gave my friend the scratching tower, since they loved it so much)
Hi all. My partner and I are thinking about fostering cats for one of our local adoption agencies. We currently have one cat. We have room in our apartment for one more (any more than that would be pushing it).
Ours is almost 3 years old. The adoption agency is looking for those willing to foster kittens (7-12 weeks old) and young cats (3-6 months old). That sounds great, but tbh, I've never had a cat who wasn't an adult. I don't necessarily know what that entails. We would also be leaving the foster home alone for up to 6 hours some days, due to our work schedules. Most days, they would definitely be alone for about four hours.
Does anyone have any advice? Does our situation sound conducive to becoming fosters? Thanks for any insight you might have!
I have fostered kittens for our local humaane society for years. I am mom to three cats of my own (although I admit one is a foster fail!). I have also been a volunteer in the humane society kitten nursery for six years.
Fostering kittens worked well for me because I have a large extra bedroom with little furniture. I put the large cage in the room until the kittens were ready to explore (I let them roam the bedroom freely)and before they weighed in at two pounds each (the spaying and neutering ages; I took them back to the clinic). The most I fostered was three at a time. My kitties, while curious, never presented any problems.
The biggest pitfall is falling in love with the little ones then giving them back to the humane society so they could be put up for adoption.
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