Cat fostering advice
Discussion
After some advice about cat fostering advice please.
Having had our last two cats PTS earlier in the year we've gone through the grieving stage, the "isn't it great not having to keep the house cat friendly/think about meal times and medications" stage and are now onto the stage of the house feeling a bit empty.
Our three cats were all rescue animals and not long after we lost the last one the vets rang to see if we would be interested in fostering a cat for an elderly gent that needed to go into hospital. At that time it was too soon so we politely declined.
The mention of getting more cats has been brought up which has got the other half thinking about fostering.
She sees the plus points as being if an animal has been returned to its owner, and you want a break from having any, you can decline from fostering until such time as it's convenient/you're ready for more.
If the cat is on any form of medication then this is all paid for. (Not that would be a problem anyway).
It would be a nice thing to be able to offer to people who might need some respite from looking after an animal.
As one of our last cats was diabetic we don't have a problem with administering regular insulin injections which might put other fosterers off.
I can see her point.
However, I see the minus points which I would like peoples thoughts on.
As they're foster animals they're never really with you long enough to entirely accept their surroundings/environment meaning it would be difficult to let them out. I don't have a problem with house cats but I do like to have windows and doors open in the summer.
If you have a foster cat that ends up being with you long term how do you get over the emotional attachment when it's time for it to go back to its original/new owner?
Thoughts people, please.
Having had our last two cats PTS earlier in the year we've gone through the grieving stage, the "isn't it great not having to keep the house cat friendly/think about meal times and medications" stage and are now onto the stage of the house feeling a bit empty.
Our three cats were all rescue animals and not long after we lost the last one the vets rang to see if we would be interested in fostering a cat for an elderly gent that needed to go into hospital. At that time it was too soon so we politely declined.
The mention of getting more cats has been brought up which has got the other half thinking about fostering.
She sees the plus points as being if an animal has been returned to its owner, and you want a break from having any, you can decline from fostering until such time as it's convenient/you're ready for more.
If the cat is on any form of medication then this is all paid for. (Not that would be a problem anyway).
It would be a nice thing to be able to offer to people who might need some respite from looking after an animal.
As one of our last cats was diabetic we don't have a problem with administering regular insulin injections which might put other fosterers off.
I can see her point.
However, I see the minus points which I would like peoples thoughts on.
As they're foster animals they're never really with you long enough to entirely accept their surroundings/environment meaning it would be difficult to let them out. I don't have a problem with house cats but I do like to have windows and doors open in the summer.
If you have a foster cat that ends up being with you long term how do you get over the emotional attachment when it's time for it to go back to its original/new owner?
Thoughts people, please.
We foster for a local charity. We don't worry about letting them out, after they've been here a few days they soon learn that we feed them so we've never any problems wihen we have let them in the garden etc.
It's hard when they go to their new homes but them moving on frees up space in our home for a cat who has no one to care for them.
It's hard when they go to their new homes but them moving on frees up space in our home for a cat who has no one to care for them.
Im a fosterer and volunteer for www.catsnottingham.com and I foster kittens back to back, I have 5 kittens and a mummy at the moment..
I love it and yes I get attached but I know I cant foster any more if I keep them all! Saying that meet Poppy, our newest family member lol
I love it and yes I get attached but I know I cant foster any more if I keep them all! Saying that meet Poppy, our newest family member lol
I would personally be unable to let them go, as I would be too upset. Saying that, I bred a litter of puppies and was fine with letting go (mind we kept a lovely one).
I think those who do are admirable, but I do not have the courage to do it myself. I have adopted a few older cats from rescues though.
I think those who do are admirable, but I do not have the courage to do it myself. I have adopted a few older cats from rescues though.
Not cats, but we have fostered dogs for small rescue centres. We are failed fosterers though, I.e. We ended up keeping one after 4 days!
But... We have just found a home for a dog we fostered for over a year.
Pros are as you say, we got to look after and enjoy a dog without paying pet insurance as the rescue covered that. You get to look after an animal that would otherwise be kept in a kennel/cattery for long periods of time. Satisfaction of knowing we helped him into his new life.
Cons are definitely getting attached. Having lived with us for over a year it was hard to see him go but it feels rewarding that you helped them out. What I found tricky was not putting human thoughts on the dog, I.e. Are we letting him down by letting him go, he lived with us for the longest he lived anywhere, so would he think we gave up on him and made him go. He doesn't know that we weren't his owners, and that the new home is his forever home. But then does he think he just moves on every so often so won't completely settle? As I say, he's a dog he probably doesn't have any of these thoughts but I think about him quite often and whether we let him down, (he only went on Saturday). He matured to such an extent we didn't think he'd ever be rehomable when he arrived with us but became such a nice lad with only a couple of issues by the time he left and I'm proud we helped him. If you have existing animals it can impact on their relationships and their relationships with you but as you don't have any currently that shouldn't be a problem.
Apologies for the thread jack but I'd say if you think you can let them go then do it. We paid to feed a dog for a year but feel that was a small price to pay for his companionship and it helped out a small rescue with something more than just finances. Not sure if we'll do it again but at least we know now we can let them go (though tough). I'd try not to have such a long termer again if possible to reduce attachment issues though....
But... We have just found a home for a dog we fostered for over a year.
Pros are as you say, we got to look after and enjoy a dog without paying pet insurance as the rescue covered that. You get to look after an animal that would otherwise be kept in a kennel/cattery for long periods of time. Satisfaction of knowing we helped him into his new life.
Cons are definitely getting attached. Having lived with us for over a year it was hard to see him go but it feels rewarding that you helped them out. What I found tricky was not putting human thoughts on the dog, I.e. Are we letting him down by letting him go, he lived with us for the longest he lived anywhere, so would he think we gave up on him and made him go. He doesn't know that we weren't his owners, and that the new home is his forever home. But then does he think he just moves on every so often so won't completely settle? As I say, he's a dog he probably doesn't have any of these thoughts but I think about him quite often and whether we let him down, (he only went on Saturday). He matured to such an extent we didn't think he'd ever be rehomable when he arrived with us but became such a nice lad with only a couple of issues by the time he left and I'm proud we helped him. If you have existing animals it can impact on their relationships and their relationships with you but as you don't have any currently that shouldn't be a problem.
Apologies for the thread jack but I'd say if you think you can let them go then do it. We paid to feed a dog for a year but feel that was a small price to pay for his companionship and it helped out a small rescue with something more than just finances. Not sure if we'll do it again but at least we know now we can let them go (though tough). I'd try not to have such a long termer again if possible to reduce attachment issues though....
I'd have had him if he'd liked cats & I had the time at home Thanks Alikat.
Yep, he went last Saturday to someone fairly local. He will be leading a quiet life in the countryside away from hustle and bustle which should suit him (not that where we are isn't quiet but you know what I mean).
We've only had one report from his new family so far and all seems good! Touch wood he seems to be settling in ok. He has another collie for company and apparently they are getting on well so fingers crossed he can have a happy rest of his life with no stress.
We said we'd have him back if it doesn't work out though......
Yep, he went last Saturday to someone fairly local. He will be leading a quiet life in the countryside away from hustle and bustle which should suit him (not that where we are isn't quiet but you know what I mean).
We've only had one report from his new family so far and all seems good! Touch wood he seems to be settling in ok. He has another collie for company and apparently they are getting on well so fingers crossed he can have a happy rest of his life with no stress.
We said we'd have him back if it doesn't work out though......
No need for apologies chrisga.
My wife feels she'd be strong enough to let foster cats go, personally I don't know if I could.
We've had a tough twelve months personally and I think having to give up foster cats might be a bit much.
I really admire the likes of mubby who can do it all the time.
We've both got some time off over Christmas so we'll sit and discuss it properly.
Thanks for all your thoughts.
My wife feels she'd be strong enough to let foster cats go, personally I don't know if I could.
We've had a tough twelve months personally and I think having to give up foster cats might be a bit much.
I really admire the likes of mubby who can do it all the time.
We've both got some time off over Christmas so we'll sit and discuss it properly.
Thanks for all your thoughts.
Another 4 coming on on Monday! so that's 9 kittens over Xmas and new year for us!! haha!
here are some of my latest litters....
Crumble and her gingers - 5 kittens came to me 2 weeks old, left at 10 weeks (except one we kept! now 16 weeks)
Peaches and her little Apricots - 7 kittens! came to me at 4 weeks old, left at 10 weeks
the snowballs, they came at about 6 weeks, left 10 weeks
here are some of my latest litters....
Crumble and her gingers - 5 kittens came to me 2 weeks old, left at 10 weeks (except one we kept! now 16 weeks)
Peaches and her little Apricots - 7 kittens! came to me at 4 weeks old, left at 10 weeks
the snowballs, they came at about 6 weeks, left 10 weeks
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