Fosterers...

I dunno, I would be the kind to get very attached to my pets but with fosters I take them on knowing I am doing it to help them and I know it's short-term. I had a foster a few years ago that stayed for 6 months, that one was difficult but she went to a great home and that was the main thing.

I haven't fostered in a while but would happily do it again.

I've fostered 2 kittens this year, for an animal charity down here in county Cork.

The first case was us actually adopting 2 kittens, out of a litter of 3. The 3rd kitten had an adoption lined up which fell through last minute, so we kept the 3 of them together for about 2 weeks.
The second case was very short-term, the regular foster parent couldn't keep her, s owe took her in for 3 days.

In both cases, it helped working with the charity, knowing how they would vet anyone looking to adopt and actually meeting the new owners myself so I knew the cats were going to a really good home.

I just remembered, we had another foster kitten a few years ago. The kitten had just showed up in our elderly neighbour's garden, who couldn't really look after her. We took her in, got her vaccinated, checked out, neutered, microchipped, the lot. And we then found a good home for her a few weeks later, through some friends. I got to hear about the kitten's progress for quite a while after, as a friend of mine was house-sharing with the person who had adopted her. So I think knowing that they're happy is really a big help in letting go.

BuileBeag I couldn't foster for the same reason, but thank you for what you are doing for that kitten. Horrible to think of what would have happened to him if he hadn't been lucky enough to be found by you.

Fosterers are a stunning breed of people.

Builebeag, I like you found a half dead kitten. I had never had a cat. I fell in love with this little ball of fur. I had 2 terriers. I thought they would never accept her. But slowly, slowly, slowly it worked. I showed the kitten to the dogs while I Carried her about the house. She lived for many weeks, seperately, in the work room. She was half feral.They were fascinated by her. I would say NO! crossly/loudly anytime they got too close, or looked aggressive. Eventually, after many weeks of being seperate and growing and getting strong, the kitten was allowed into the house, with a glass door closed and the dogs staring in at the kitten. All very slow/gradual. If Im honest it was a total pain in the bum, but it was either that, change the dogs attitude or rehome my lovely little kitten. I had invested so much time, energy and money in her at that stage, I loved her to bits, I wasnt going to give up on her. Now, she is currently snoring in a ball on the armchair beside me, and the terrier is snoring on the other armchair. They are friends, she loves the dog (my elderly dog passed away) he has no interest much in her, apart from the odd chasing game, but he wags his tail every time he sees her, and they hang around together out in the garden.

SO what Im saying is, if you can find a good foster home, great, but if you cant and are prepared to put in some very long and tedious work on your dog with the kitten you might get there too. If nothing else, when the cat is full grown she may be able to co-exist with the dog if she is brave enough to put up with him.

good luck to you, and major brownie points to you for saving the little scrap

OMG that kitty is unreal

Nody wrote: »

We're still in contact with the families for the cats we placed years ago as well which do help.

Does it really? Because we took in Shade about 6 months ago and I feel kinda bad bombarding the fosterer with pics and videos!

I agree, you HAVE to keep that kitten! You have certainly saved its life. You cant let pesky anti-cat terriers prevent you from being that cats forever home!
Ok, take it from me, if my terrorists would accept a cat, yours will too!
If necessary, the cat will live in one part of the house and be around when the dogs are outside. They will eventually get so used to it being 'their' cat that it will be ok! My dogs seem to think our cat is not the same as cats outside the house - they are 'fair game' - but our cat is the exception to them!

If the kitten is tough enough to give them a faceful of sharp claws, they will learn to respect it. If the kitten gets confident and brave in your house, it may just assume ownership and wallop the dogs into submission. My JRT met the cats very sharp claws on his nose a couple of times when he got too close to her. Before anyone jumps in about abuse of my dogs - When it comes to the safety of my cat, I dont mind that the dogs get their come-uppance - a scratch on the nose is a small price to pay to keep the cat safe

My dogs live by MY rules (mostly!! well usually!!) and when the kitten moved in, they were shouted at or even an odd smack (gulp!) and once when one was just not getting it, I waved a wodden spoon at him in a threatening manner. He finally got the message... it took time, and that kitten was carried around for an awful long time, but as a result she is the cuddliest, friendliest, happiest little cat!!

Dont give up OP! Stick to your guns, let the little kitten stay, and show those dogs who is boss!!

Deleted User wrote: »

You should take up motivational speaking aonb!

Well the intros are going pretty well. Khali my lab x loves cats. As I mentioned in an earlier post she wasn't always that way but I spent a loooong time when my mum got her cat and eventually she went from kill kill kill to play play play. The problem with her now is her level of excitement at having her very own kitten in her very own home, is dangerously high. I'm quite certain she would accidentally do damage to the little guy if I let her near him, so I'm just working on only letting her have a sniff etc only when she's calmed down a bit.
Hiro the yorkie x is doing relatively well. He does try to run up my legs and grab a hold of him. (Hasn't come near to succeeding, does he think I'm stupid!?) He barks a bit at first in a very unfriendly way but I flail my arm about and give out to him and he shuts up then and just tries silently running up my leg or jumping on nearby furniture for leverage. But the thing is he loses interest very fast and then I get to congratulate him for being lovely and quiet and doing his own thing and ignoring the kitten. Happy days. He's a good little dog and very very clever so I'm sure he'll learn soon enough.
There still remains a bigger obstacle to keeping him that i cant be bothered going into but there is a glimmer of hope that it will get sorted next week. So we'll know by the end of next week if he's ours or not. Fingers toes and everything else crossed cause hes deadly. He's so playful now. The first couple days he wouldn't let us so much as look at him and now he just wants to be playing with us or cuddling us. He's brightened up these dark evenings no end!

GREAT NEWS! Hope you get your obstacle sorted, and can become a dog AND cat home! Ive never had a cat til this little rescue, and Im besotted with her - they are such fun and as you say brighten up your day! I think its something to do with the fluffiness???

GREAT that the 2 dogs seem to be settling down so well to

GOOD LUCK!!

p.s. and you know what, if you cant get to keep him, you will have saved his life anyway, and given him a great start - he will trust humans now - and you can concentrate on finding him an excellent alternative home!

Deleted User wrote: »

But cats are different. They aren't as quick to bestow their affection on people. So when they choose you... its just extra special.

So much this. Sammy is exceptionally shy and took a long time to feel at home with me. Now he runs over to me for cuddles, and sits there looking up at me with those big eyes while I scratch under his chin, and I am so full of love and gratitude for his trust that it's almost overwhelming sometimes

Really hope you can keep your little guy BuileBeag!

I have fostered a load of kittens this year for one of the local charities.

It is a win/win IMO. we already have a mature cat and two dogs. It may sound harsh, but I'm not taking on any more long term animals until one of the ones I have kicks the bucket.

So I get the pleasure of little kittens till at least 14 weeks, and all the cuteness, silliness, etc etc The kittens get used to an older cat, dogs, kids, husband, and general madness of a busy house. And then they go on to the home they will have for 15 or more years.

I really don't mind handing them on. I trust the rehoming policy of charity.

The current kitten I have/had, being rehomed in the morning, was hard work (his brother is already rehomed). Their mother was feral, women who was feeding mammy cat did TNR. She kept kittens and mammy cat in dog crate for 14 weeks before giving to charity. The poor kittens were agoraphobic and hyperactive at same time. Took three week of utter craziness for two of them to calm down. He is a beautiful kitten now and you would never think he has been through what he has.