Still grieving, how about fostering?

[atinyrayofpitchblacksunshine]

DCat, almost 20, passed away earlier this year. I miss her so much still terribly and she was the last of 4 over a 25 year time. The kids are desperate for another cat or two but I feel so sad that any cat won’t be her (she had the best personality and was so intelligent and loyal). So was thinking of offering to foster mums and their kittens? I’ve lots of free time, space in the house and garden, and adore cats. The house doesn’t feel like a home without the energy of a cat. But am I setting myself up for more heartbreak?

I lost my cat 2 years ago and was so sure I wouldn’t get another, he was the best cat I have ever had and I just couldn’t replace him. 6 months ago a stray turned up at my door and after finally tracking down his original owner he was signed over to me. He is totally different to my old cat, I don’t feel like he’s a replacement at all but he has made me realise how much I miss having a cat around. Of course owning a cat always ends in heartbreak eventually, but the years of love s totally worth it. I think if you foster you will soon end up keeping one 😉.

I’ve adopted 4 cats (1 at a time) over the years also, and felt the same after each one. Each cat has presented with different problems, and different personalities, and made me long for the comfort and joy of the previous cat, especially in the first few weeks. But once they’ve settled I’ve fallen in love all over again, marvelled at the differences in character, and felt very privileged to have had such wonderful past companions, and the current new one ! You sound like a true cat person, don’t deny yourself the opportunity to start a new relationship ! You will feel very sad when it inevitably ends, and it’s very hard, but it is also proof and a measure of how much happiness the cat had brought to you and, IMO, a price well worth paying !

I get the impression that the majority of cat fosterers eventually end up failing in the fostering and keeping one (or more!). It's a good way to meet lots of different cats and "try them out", while doing a good thing in general.

I understand how you feel. ❤️ I was distraught when my dear girl died suddenly aged 11 last winter. But we've taken on a pair of kittens this year and they are living their best life and just adorable.

Yes, in a different way - my DH says 'These guys are Quality Cats - she was Elite!' - but we can see them qualifying more and more for Elite every day... 😁

There are so many cats needing a home... I thought I would feel disloyal, but it really is a different love with each of them. Get them now and they'll be well settled in for a much funner Christmas than you were going to have!

If you can foster you'd be doing people a massive massive favour - friend of mine works for CP and she's crying out for fosterers. For all sorts of cats, kittens, adults, all waiting for a home or to be big enough for a home.

It can be a really good way of further teaching your children about animal care, esp if take on kittens. If the house is set up where they can't get out accidentally or have a spare room then you'd be good to go. The only prob is you'll end up falling in love and keeping loads! 😂

I fostered 9 cats over 2 years, & the 9th was the one I couldn’t let go.

It’s a fantastic thing to do but you do need to remember all the time that your job is to get the cats ready for their new homes.

Some have been easier to wave goodbye to than others but I loved all of them when I had them.

The rescue I fostered for has a rule that fosterers can only decide to adopt a cat if nobody has expressed interest in it yet, which I think is fair.

Thank you all. I think I may contact a few rescues locally and offer to help, the house just doesn’t feel right without a cat or 2 and like pp said I’m denying the whole family at the moment.
Am so sorry to those who have lost but hopeful that you’ve loved again.

If you’ve got any small local rescues, they’ll be delighted. They’re all full to the brim & unlike the big organisations, they can’t afford paid staff or big advertising campaigns.