Foster cat problems, please help

[QuestionableMouse]

Full thred here but ill just repost my last post

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_litter_tray/4798641-first-cat-foster-am-i-doing-this-right?reply=125931987

I'm not sure i am! Literally sitting here in tears and I don't know what to do.

She's just bitten me badly, including my face. I was sitting on the floor letting her rub on my hands and im not sure if she has a sore spot or something but she yowled and jumped at my face. I've come away from her (she's safe and has what she needs). Genuinely don't know what to do - I don't want to go near her at the moment but i also don't want to let her down.

Heading off to urgent care because my hand is quite bad, and I've messaged the rescue about what happened.

Would i be a terrible person if i asked them to take her back? It might sound stupid but I'm feeling quite scared of her!

Oh that's so sad - she's such a lovely cat - best thing would be for the rescue to take her back - from your last thread you have done everything right - maybe they need to get her checked at the vet or maybe she's just a ratbag?

I have a little house panther - he came to use following being rescued with a spinal abscess - he will not let us near him most of the time - he's a growly. spitty, hissy little boy and I hate to think what his life was like before - we just leave him be and let him come and go as he pleases - he will occasionally accept a head stroke or chin tickle but not often x

It's a difficult one. You poor thing. It's happened to me on many occasions.

If you overstimulate cats through stroking, etc, they will sometimes react in this way. You need to know the signs tail twitching, mad eyes, ears back. You need to stop and make a run for it😄 Did you notice any of that?

How long have you had her and how's she been generally?

Hope you're not too sore.

Sorry that happened to you OP, cat bites can be nasty and you might need antibiotics.
I don’t think you’d be a terrible person for asking the rescue to take her back, it may be that she needs a more experienced fosterer. Cats can get over stimulated really easily when being petted, even my soppy docile cats will occasionally nip or swat when being stroked. She may be a cat that needs a lot of space, it can be really tricky to read their body language sometimes too. Do you know much about her background? Good luck, I hope you heal quickly from the bite.

Cat scratches and bites are the worst. Hope you heal quickly.

Cat owner here, 12 of the little darlings consisting of 2 house cats, 5 stable cats and 5 cattery cats (previously stable cats but too old and sick to free roam now)

Assuming the rehoming centre vet had given her the once over and she got the all clear, some cats need plenty of time. And by time it could be months! One of my house cats was a rescue, I've had her 7 years and she sat on my lap for the first time last week! Just came out of nowhere.

I would leave her be with access to her essentials, toys etc and let her approach you in her own time, and even then don't necessarily put your hands out.

Have you introduced her to your other cat yet?

My own cat is spicy so I'm aware of the signs. Didn't notice anything, and it really has scared me, i think especially because she got my face. I feel liike such a failure but I don't think i can teust her agaim. In the car now headinf to urgent care (im not driving)

Hand is veey sore and bleeding but i think she just grazed my face.

Feel like utter shite tbh 😭😭😭

Forgot to say i had my hands resting on my knees and was letting her rub on me. I wasnt stroking her, if that makes sense?

No, they're being kept totally separate. I wasn't planning on introducing them until much later on, if st all.

It's not your fault. You're trying your best. You could let her stay and just keep your distance. How long will you be fostering her for? Are you supposed to be socialising her?

I'm a long term cat owner, and quite honestly, they can be a nightmare

I have a holiday booked for the end of may so said i could take her until then. She's only been here for a couple of days.