Fostering

[Bonjovispjs]

I was just wondering if anyone on here fosters cats? I do and I'm currently fostering my 31st cat, I always have scared/nervous cats and it's my job to bring them out of their shells and get them used to being around people so they can find their forever homes, anyone else? I'd be interested to know.

We've just started fostering and have our our 3rd and 4th cats now. We started out fostering a cat because we rescued him off our street but couldn't afford the vet treatment he needed so the charity agreed to cover it and we'd look after him until they could find him a home. It was really hard to let him go but it was so rewarding to have helped him, so we ended up carrying on with the charity bringing us the next two. Our 4th we took in from the street today and we think she's pregnant. Will call the vets on Tuesday to get her checked out. I know next to nothing about cat pregnancy or newborn kitten care so I'll most likely be back on here with questions soon!

@Estraya It is very hard to give them up and it doesn't get any easier no matter how many times you do it, I have a little cry every time they leave, but when the next foster cat comes along (often the same day) that makes it better and the new owners are usually very good at sending updates.

I started fostering because I don't have a garden, that doesn't matter so much as they're only with me temporarily. It is a very rewarding thing to do and not having to be responsible for vet's bills is obviously a huge advantage.

Good luck with your new foster kitty.

We fostered for a few years and really enjoyed it. We had had two cats die in quick succession and wanted a cat around without the thought of losing it. We had everything from mums with kittens to semi feral ex strays. I didn’t find giving them up that hard, I always met and approved the adopters and sometimes chose from several potential adopters.
We’ve downsized recently and no longer have the space for fostering but we got a cat of our own this weekend when we took on a little boy whose owners couldn’t keep him any more.

It's something I'm interested in as I'd love another cat, but can't afford insurance for 2. My cat loves visiting cats, and lies on his side and chirrups to ask them to play.

I'm probably a bit soft for fostering really, I do get very attached to them and not all of them have had a happy outcome unfortunately, but I hate not having a cat around, I've had my current cat for 6 months, he'll be harder to home because of medical issues. My shortest foster was 3 weeks, the longest 16 months. I know some fosterers only do it once as they find it so hard to say goodbye and adopt that cat. My sadness is usually short lived though and I am obviously glad they've found their forever homes, it's definitely worth it😊

I foster, though am currently on a break because I adopted one of them.... occupational hazard! I managed to hand back the first 17 but this one is staying. I loved working with scared or behavioural cats but because I've adopted one now I'll only be allowed to foster single-room-access cats (so kittens or mums and kittens or cats on cage rest).

I'm also a bit soft - despite the shelter "paying for everything" I end up buying nice toys/treats/beds etc haha. Fosters have been from a couple of weeks to about 5 months, I think I'd struggle to give them back after much longer than that. I've raised two litters of kittens, one of which were born here (from the mum who we've now adopted), 2 undersocialised kittens and then the rest have all been adults.