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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Christmas foster arrived

75 replies

chemenger · 17/12/2017 09:25

We have a new foster cat who will be with us over Christmas and new year. He’s a gorgeous ginger boy who has been a stray for about three years. A group of neighbours had been feeding him but couldn’t take him in. They decided it was too cold to leave him outside so we picked him up. They had called him Keith, but we have a family member called Keith (coincidentally also ginger) so we changed it. Unfortunately at his vet check they found a grade 3 heart murmur, which will need investigating. Our own last cat was a ginger boy who died of heart failure, so this is a worry. No picture yet, he’s hiding under the kitchen units, just nipping out to use the litter tray and eat. He did come to look at us from the living room door last night so it won’t be long till he comes out.

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TimeIhadaNameChange · 07/03/2018 16:21

Sounds wonderful! Congratulations! Must feel so rewarding.

Do we get some more photos???

chemenger · 07/03/2018 16:47

It is really rewarding when they are difficult. Its lovely to look after easy cats but with the difficult ones you really feel that you are changing their life.
Here he is. Who could resist him?

Christmas foster arrived
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chemenger · 07/03/2018 16:52

The vet went really well. He was spitting like mad in the car and the waiting room and I could see the vet was nervous about him, but once I opened the box he was fine. He had his vaccinations and his claws clipped (they were so long he was getting stuck in the carpet at times) and he ended up purring to much to let her hear his heart murmur properly. She doesn't think its a problem, his colour is good and he doesn't have any heart symptoms. Down on the floor he was rubbing up against the vets legs like, you know, a proper cat (or rather like a really wierd cat who doesn't know he's not meant to like the vet).

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TimeIhadaNameChange · 07/03/2018 16:56

He is stunning! Are you sure you're going to let someone else adopt him?

Glad to hear all went well at the vets. Hopefully the heart murmur will end up just being one of those things. Love the fact he was rubbing her legs afterwards, that's cute! How was he when he went back in the box? Did he revert to spitting, or was he ok?

chemenger · 07/03/2018 18:19

Sitting in the box on the way home. Everything is fear, he is not a bad cat. I would not be approved for adoption, too close to a busy road, and I really like fostering, it is really rewarding to see the cats move on.

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chemenger · 07/03/2018 18:19

Spitting on the way back, not sitting.

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buddhasbelly · 07/03/2018 18:30

I dont have and couldnt have a pet (not enough time or money) but this thread just brightened my day. Thanks OPSmile

Archfarchnad · 07/03/2018 19:15

Ooh, I have a real soft spot for cuddly ex-strays who like to remind you of their well-'ard roots. He's gorgeous with his wide cheeks. And is that a whole chunk missing from one ear after a fight? He will need new slaves who can tolerate his occasional feisty outbursts, I think. Well done on persevering with him.

thecatneuterer · 07/03/2018 19:23

Oh you have done so well!! I wish there were a lot more people like you in this world.

He really is a gorgeous boy.

chemenger · 07/03/2018 19:50

You want cuddly, look at this! Fluffy tummy anyone? And yes, you are allowed to tickle it, it’s not a trap.

Christmas foster arrived
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EachandEveryone · 07/03/2018 20:23

Gorgeous boy. Well done. Id have been a nervous wreck. Does he move straight to his new place from yours?

chemenger · 07/03/2018 20:24

Yes, his new owners pick him up from me, after they have a successful home visit.

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lcc7 · 07/03/2018 21:08

chemenger what a succes! From 24-Dec-17 to this fluffy tummy showing!!!

TimeIhadaNameChange · 08/03/2018 09:09

I want to stroke that tummy! (Actually, I really want to blow raspberries into it, but I fear you'll all think I'm a weirdo!!!)

chemenger · 08/03/2018 09:30

No faces are allowed close to him, I have learned that the hard way.

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YetAnotherSpartacus · 08/03/2018 10:41

How on Earth could you give him up? Seriously?

russiandwarf · 08/03/2018 10:59

He's gorgeous, he's going to make someone very happy Smile He has come such a long way since Christmas, good work!

chemenger · 08/03/2018 11:02

I can give him up because we have a waitlist of cats that need to come in. Our little branch of Cat Protection rehomed over 180 cats last year. We just took in a three legged cat who had been abandoned outside when his “owner” went away for a month. There are so many cats that need help.

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PestoSurfissimos · 08/03/2018 11:07

Ah he’s gorgeous chemenger. Seems like he’s really come out of his shell. I do hope his new owners will be as patient as you Smile

AuntyElle · 08/03/2018 11:13

This is so lovely. Smile

chemenger · 11/03/2018 20:43

So, I took him to a rehoming day, where we have the fostered cats in table top pens to meet the public. None of us like these events but they are successful for finding adopters. My foster did fine in the beginning, letting all the volunteers give him strokes and head rubs. Not so good when some children came in with their parents for a look. He does not like children. I think he may have had a hard time with children when he was a stray. He’s fine now we’re back home and hopefully he’ll be adopted soon.

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Vinorosso74 · 11/03/2018 21:17

Fingers crossed someone takes him soon; he's a cute fella and as you say and the aggression is down to fear. Am sure he'll be just fine with a single adult or couple.
There's a tricky cat at the CP centre I'm at-she's been there since November (a long time for that centre). She came in with another cat-turns out they weren't close and the other was rehomed about a month ago. She hisses and can swipe if you get close however they have noticed she loves watching children. DD was testing the child friendliness of some other cats and they asked her to go in the pen (not to approach her) and she didn't hiss at her or hide but with adults she is a complete grump. Am sure she will settle in a quiet home but the right person just needs to come along.

chemenger · 11/03/2018 21:32

There is a match out there for every cat. More than once I’ve seen a tricky foster cat fall in love with an adopter as soon as they meet, which is great. I’ve also seen a cat totally reject prospective adopters in no uncertain terms!

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Want2beme · 11/03/2018 21:34

He's a lovely lad. Love the back paw curls in tummy picGrin

chemenger · 12/03/2018 16:12

Coming on in literally leaps and bounds. Today he jumped up to sit next to me on the sofa and put his paw on my leg! He’s been following me round to be brushed and stroked all day. He’s even getting the hang of looking sad when I go out.

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