Kitten fostering - what do I need to know?

[MrsVincentPrice]

DC's have been saying "why can't we have a cute widdle kitten?" for years and the answer is "because we have two middle aged cats and that's enough for one household - also, kittens grow up very quickly.

But Christmas begging letter from the rescue where we got our cats says "could you foster a mum and kittens for us?" and actually I think maybe we could - we have a large attic spare room, and the DCs are old enough to be gentle. I reckon we maybe could take in a mother and litters for a couple of months until they could be rehomed - they'd have shelter, quiet, affection and socialisation; the shelter would have more space and we'd have actual kittens!

So can someone tell me what the flaws are in this genius plan? What appalling downside have I failed to realise?

[PeahenTailFeathers]

You won't want to give them back

[Sparklingbrook]

I think the flaw is the two middle aged cats TBH. If I did it (and I would love to) Sparkling Cat would not be pleased.

But if you can keep them totally separate it may work. Would you need to start letting the Mum cat out eventually though? That could be tricky.

But shelters a full and you would be doing a great deed IYKWIM. Mmmm tricky isn't it?

[MrsVincentPrice]

The DCs are pretty robust about the ghastliness of Mother Nature - two of our previous cats have died and they haven't been abnormally upset. I was planning on keeping the cat and litter incarcerated with litter trays in the attic, or possibly the guest shower room, (putting disposable carpetting down first) completely separately from the existing cats.

[MrsVincentPrice]

I was relying on you lot to tell me it was unfeasible .

In fact I was relying on DH to tell me to get a grip, but he grabbed the newsletter off me and went "Awwwwww! Kitties!" while making goo goo eyes so he's no help either.

[Sparklingbrook]

Now I want some.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Do it.

I think it's a brilliant thing to do.

[cozietoesie]

It'll be saying goodbye to any work around the house other than your own. You'll be scrubbing in the kitchen and DH and the DCs will be up in the attic playing with looking after the fosters!



PS - Go for it. Great thing to do.

[sashh]

You will need to keep them seperate to your existing cats, they will not be allowed out so you will have to endure litter trays.

At this time of year it's fine, but in the summer keeping a cat in and having the windows closed can be a pain.

Do it.

Now I have my own cat I can't foster, the layout of my house means I couldn't keep a cat seperate to my own.