Author Topic: Fostering cats - experiences?  (Read 3943 times)

Sibley

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7428
  • Location: Northwest Indiana
Fostering cats - experiences?
« on: June 24, 2019, 10:29:17 AM »
I currently have 1 cat, who doesn't seem particularly thrilled about being the only cat. I am (emotionally) not ready to adopt another cat, plus the issue of choosing just the right adult cat to be friends with Arwen, not happening right now. The solution I'm considering is to try fostering. I've reached out to the local animal shelter and initial response has been positive. So this may very well happen.

Any lessons to share? Pitfalls? Things I should consider? I'm gone about 12 hours a day due to work, and I do have a room that I can segregate a kitty into.

wenchsenior

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3791
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #1 on: June 24, 2019, 01:11:09 PM »
We've successfully fostered a few kittens over the years, BUT 1) I work from home and was able to spend a ton of time taming the little ferals down to be cuddly; 2) we had a spare room separate from our 2-3 other cats, so everyone had time to chill out away from each other (feral kittens are absolutely food-obsessed and will try to steal adult cats' food); 3) our adult cats are fairly mellow, and even so there were a couple incidents of stress-peeing or territorial marking by a couple of our established adults.  If your current cat is not very easy going, there can be problems.  Also, some kittens require a fair amount of litter box training, while others take right to it, and you have to really be on top of that in the early days so a bad pattern isn't established.

We are currently managing this situation again with a new feral kitten (one that we are keeping), but things are settling down after a the first couple of months of need-for-attention and mild conflicts with our two adult cats.  They still need their separate spaces at night though...they each get a spare bedroom.

Sibley

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7428
  • Location: Northwest Indiana
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #2 on: June 24, 2019, 07:31:16 PM »
Cool, thanks. We'll see what they say. I was very upfront about my schedule, and I will definitely consider that before accepting a cat. I don't want to commit to caring for an animal that I can't actually care for.

SunnyDays

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3489
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #3 on: June 26, 2019, 12:57:53 PM »
Make sure any cat you take in has been tested for FeLV and FIV, since these are easily transmitted in close quarters and eventually fatal.  My dad took in a starving, freezing cat this winter, who turned out to be FeLV positive.  While healthy now, her life-span is expected to only be another year or so, and in the meantime, I have to keep my cats separate when visiting, which has proven to be rather a nightmare.

wenchsenior

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3791
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #4 on: June 26, 2019, 02:13:46 PM »
Make sure any cat you take in has been tested for FeLV and FIV, since these are easily transmitted in close quarters and eventually fatal.  My dad took in a starving, freezing cat this winter, who turned out to be FeLV positive.  While healthy now, her life-span is expected to only be another year or so, and in the meantime, I have to keep my cats separate when visiting, which has proven to be rather a nightmare.

Great point. I'm smacking myself for not mentioning that.  Of the ferals we've fostered, we either trap them and transport them immediately to the vet for these tests, or we sequester them in a closed room away from our cats until we can get them tested and for about a week to ten days after they are tested, just to reduce cross infection risks.

Also, feral kittens are very susceptible to some common, treatable viruses (like feline herpesvirus) that have eye infection and/or inflammation as a secondary infection.  The eye thing has to be caught and treated quickly b/c it can literally eat the eyeball out of the socket within a week or so.  We've killed a number of eyeless, starving feral kittens in our neighborhood over the years.

SunnyDays

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3489
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #5 on: June 27, 2019, 10:14:53 AM »
Also, feral kittens are very susceptible to some common, treatable viruses (like feline herpesvirus) that have eye infection and/or inflammation as a secondary infection.  The eye thing has to be caught and treated quickly b/c it can literally eat the eyeball out of the socket within a week or so.  We've killed a number of eyeless, starving feral kittens in our neighborhood over the years.

Oh, that breaks my heart!  Good on you for dealing with them.  So many strays everywhere...........  I used to feed them myself until they eventually dwindled to nothing for some reason.

sui generis

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3104
  • she/her
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #6 on: June 30, 2019, 12:05:55 PM »
I'm a former foster and current adoption coordinator for a rescue cat organization.  I got involved for the same reason you did - I wasn't ready to adopt after the loss of my former Best Little Friend and I thought this would be a great way to make a difference and not feel so empty at home.  One difference is that I started doing it right as I FIREd, so I was home all the time when I fostered.  We fostered 4 kittens, the last two of which we adopted (which I was upfront with the org about - that I'd eventually want to adopt again).  I hope to foster again, but have to work with my new landlord to see if he'll let me have more cats around.

The other advice above is great.  What I'd specifically suggest is that you try fostering older (1 year+?) cats, especially at first.  Kittens require a lot more attention and can grow terrible habits more easily when you aren't home.  (Well, they can form terrible habits even if you are, see, e.g., my now 10 month old monsters!).  They need a lot more interactivity and attention than older cats, and being gone for that long each day is much less desirable for young kittens.  In addition, the younger you get the more you have to be with them every few hours.  We started fostering our second set (our current adoptees) at 3 weeks and they needed to be fed and burped (<---yes, burped!  It's totally as cute as it sounds to burp a 3-week old kitten) every 3-5 hours.  Young kittens need this up until....6-ish+ weeks before they are fully transitioned to solid food and only two meals a day (doable with being gone for 12 hours).  They'll also be closer to litterbox trained by then, which will mean you won't find messes that have been sitting, soaking into your furniture, floor, etc. for 10 hours before you are able to clean it up.  Oh, and the impromptu bathing required because they are covered in poop or who knows what doesn't always coordinate easily with a busy work schedule!

But an older cat would be great!  They do need socialization and can be tougher to get there than kittens, so your help will be much needed there.  We have foster families in my group that love taking older cats and some that only take bottle babies, so I would think most groups would work with you to find age appropriate cats for your circumstances.

Also, I'm sure you've thought of this, but get to know your foster org's policies on what they pay for and don't.  Most pay for any medical care needed at all, but if something that comes up is not an emergency, may need you to get approval before going to a particular vet they have a relationship with (i.e. maybe not the vet you use for your current cat).  Some will give you food supplies and some will not.  Some have you drop your foster off at adoption events and you may never see them again if they get adopted.  Mine doesn't adopt on-site (they have an adoption/interview process) and the foster family actually gets a veto in the adoption application.  Those are the sort of things that can vary that you'll want to understand.

I absolutely love fostering and am really glad to work with orgs that get ferals off the streets when possible (to help them and the local bird population) and to always fix everybody they can to try to control the population out there, which sometimes feels like a Sisyphean task, but still needs doing.  I hope you enjoy!

AccidentialMustache

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 927
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #7 on: June 30, 2019, 12:16:05 PM »
Many foster organizations insist you keep your pets and the fosters separate -- for the health and safety of both.

We fostered, but we have no pets due to allergies. (DW can handle the adult fosters, with her on meds, for about a week. Kittens somehow aren't as bad and she can tolerate 4-6 weeks which is real close to the 8-week adoption range.) Great experience overall. At times frustrating, at times over-the-top adorable (pair-bonded young adult males would lay in the trapezoid between me, my keyboard, and my arms and fall asleep or just look at me and purr the whole time).

Sibley

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7428
  • Location: Northwest Indiana
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #8 on: July 02, 2019, 07:52:11 PM »
Thanks for the tips, appreciate it. Much better prepared to talk to them. They emailed today asking if I would foster a 13 yo male cat, he was dumped and just isn't doing well at the shelter. I indicated that I am interested but have questions since I'm brand new to this. Plus, I'm prepping to paint half my house this week so have moved a TON of stuff into that bedroom. So have a couple days to figure things out.

hudsoncat

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 359
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #9 on: July 05, 2019, 06:03:47 AM »
I've never foster cats and people above gave you much better advice on that front than I could, but I have fostered several dogs over the years. I will say in my experience, no matter how much support the fostering agency gives, it still costs me money. Sometimes more than I expect/budget when I agree to take one on. It's worth it. Overall positive experience.

wenchsenior

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3791
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #10 on: July 05, 2019, 09:35:00 AM »
I've never foster cats and people above gave you much better advice on that front than I could, but I have fostered several dogs over the years. I will say in my experience, no matter how much support the fostering agency gives, it still costs me money. Sometimes more than I expect/budget when I agree to take one on. It's worth it. Overall positive experience.

Agree on both counts.

Sibley

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7428
  • Location: Northwest Indiana
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #11 on: July 07, 2019, 04:24:00 PM »
Well, I'm fostering a cat. His name is Auburn, he was found and brought to the shelter in very poor condition. They think he's about 13, and he has hyperthyroidism. Currently he weighs just over 6 pounds, and really should be at least double that. He is considered to be a hospice foster, so assuming that my Arwen is ok with him, I'll have him the rest of his life.

I've got him in the spare bedroom upstairs, and so far he's settling in nicely. Granted, he's been here for 5 hours. Arwen is aware he's here and so far isn't screaming at the door at least. Mostly, she's been outside enjoying the sun.

Another Reader

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5327
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #12 on: July 07, 2019, 04:30:11 PM »
Well, I'm fostering a cat. His name is Auburn, he was found and brought to the shelter in very poor condition. They think he's about 13, and he has hyperthyroidism. Currently he weighs just over 6 pounds, and really should be at least double that. He is considered to be a hospice foster, so assuming that my Arwen is ok with him, I'll have him the rest of his life.

I've got him in the spare bedroom upstairs, and so far he's settling in nicely. Granted, he's been here for 5 hours. Arwen is aware he's here and so far isn't screaming at the door at least. Mostly, she's been outside enjoying the sun.

Methimazole and the occasional subQ fluids could buy him a year or two, as long as the kidneys are ok.

Life in Balance

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 434
  • FIREd in 2019
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #13 on: July 07, 2019, 06:20:13 PM »
Oh, Auburn looks like a sweetheart.  Poor baby, to be homeless at his age.  I'm glad that he will live out the rest of his life in comfort.

Sibley

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7428
  • Location: Northwest Indiana
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #14 on: July 07, 2019, 07:18:39 PM »
He's settling in quite nicely, and he LOOOOOVVVVEEESSSS wet food. I will need to be careful so he doesn't eat so quickly that he just throws up. My Arwen has been giving me the cold shoulder, at least until I picked her up and put her on my lap. Now she's sprawled across my lap, sleeping.

jeninco

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3997
  • Location: .... duh?
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #15 on: July 08, 2019, 02:07:40 PM »
Sounds like an awesome situation so far!

We adopted a formerly-feral kitten (we got her from the shelter, so already tested/treated/vaccinated) and it really only worked because I work from home. I socialized her by the shy kitty version of attachment parenting: she tended to hide in the corners and lurk under the furniture, and once an hour or so I'd go gently fish her out, pet her and talk to her and generally convince her that people are OK for 5 - 10 minutes, then let her go back to hiding.  I wouldn't say she's exactly social now, but she'll tolerate having other people in her space. She also will sometimes come sit in my lap when I'm on the computer (which is funny, as she turned out to be big and sprawl-y) and she sleeps in my vicinity. So I nth the advice to go for older cats: kittens, like children, probably need more frequent attention if you want them to grow up to want to be around people.

sui generis

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3104
  • she/her
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #16 on: July 08, 2019, 09:11:47 PM »
Congrats! Sounds like a great contribution you'll make in this guy's life. Enjoy the adventure!

ginjaninja

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 353
    • My Journal
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #17 on: August 06, 2019, 12:58:17 PM »
My sister successfully fostered 19 kittens and didn't adopt any of them.

Some of the fosters are sick and cannot be around other animals until they are healthier so keep in mind there might need to be a separation period before your cats can co-mingle.

FInd a good company to foster from, her rescue would neuter/spay all cats and provide all medicine, food, littler, cat boxes, and anything else you would need. 

Consider the needs of the kittens/cats you are fostering.  I had a different friend who fostered (the foster company was extremely pushy and needed alot of help) the foster company said they were eating solid food and okay to be left alone while she was at work.  This was not true, they were bottle feed only kittens and when she returned home 2/4 had passed away.  So be careful of which animals you can accept and ensure they fit within your schedule. 

Fostering can be a really great thing though!  I do not know if I personally could give them back every time.  But my sister did send some stinking cute pictures!

SunnyDays

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3489
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #18 on: August 07, 2019, 09:41:24 AM »
Aw, poor kitty!  I'm sure he'll have a great life with you.

Ginjaninja, that's horrible about the dead kittens.  A bit off topic, but I was looking for a dog a few years ago and contacted a rescue about a particular one, and the founder wanted to bring the dog to my house for me to see, which I thought a bit odd, because it was an hour drive, but whatever.  She seemed nice, and the dog seemed okay too (although I didn't adopt it).  About a year later, it was in the news that she had been found unresponsive in her home with several dogs in poor shape and/or ill and the house was a total shambles, with dog feces and filth everywhere.  Said she got overwhelmed by the amount of work involved.  The dogs were seized and the rescue closed.  My question was, why didn't the volunteers notice anything?


Sibley

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7428
  • Location: Northwest Indiana
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #19 on: August 07, 2019, 08:23:16 PM »
Since someone posted and I saw it, update.

I've had Auburn for just over a month now. He's got the run of the house, and has a for a while. He's gone from 6 pounds 4 oz to 6 lbs, 11 oz last weekend, still very thin but much better than before. He also has developed a fatal heart condition (forget the name...). Right now, he's happy and comfortable, with some minor breathing difficulties, but that will progress.

My cat Arwen is tolerating him. He's perfectly willing to be friends, but is being respectful. The fact that she hisses at him when he gets too close helps there. Overall, they fairly peacefully coexist in different parts of the house. She doesn't allow him in my bedroom, but has graciously allowed him to sit on the couch and a chair that she sometimes likes.

It's unexpectedly difficult for me, as Auburn wants a lot more one on one attention than Sibley did, or Arwen does. He's a lap cat. My lifestyle is just not a great one for a lap cat - I'm gone 12 hours a day, plus house and yard projects. I'm managing and he's fine, but he'd prefer to have someone to pet him as frequently as he can get.

Assuming it uploads, pic from a couple weeks ago of him supervising the outside.

Warlord1986

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1967
  • Age: 37
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #20 on: August 07, 2019, 10:37:05 PM »
Auburn sounds like a sweetie. Petting him sounds much better than yard work.

Rosy

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2742
  • Location: Florida
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #21 on: August 08, 2019, 10:39:19 AM »
Lucky kitty to end up with you:).
I've been thinking about adding a second kitty to our household.
Fostering sounds so heartbreaking, how can I let it go once it has become part of the family? Yet, it is such a necessary, admirable thing to do.
Kudos:)

Life in Balance

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 434
  • FIREd in 2019
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #22 on: August 08, 2019, 01:22:08 PM »
I'm so glad that he's fitting in and feeling comfortable.  :)

Sibley

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7428
  • Location: Northwest Indiana
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #23 on: November 03, 2019, 08:07:25 PM »
I'm putzing on the interwebs, and thought someone might like a cute picture :)

Auburn has stabilized around 7.75 pounds. He's on the thin side still, but is a normal weight. Medically, he's stable. He has a slight breathing problem due to the heart condition, and he's got a kidney problem (dear lord this cat can pee!).

In the past week or 2, Auburn and Arwen (my cat) have begun interacting. Up until then, they coexisted in parallel. Now, they're slowly making friends. In the pics, the 2 of them together is Arwen on my lap, Auburn next to me. The pic of just Auburn he's on my bed.

wenchsenior

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3791
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #24 on: November 04, 2019, 08:03:52 AM »
AWWWWWW!!  I love when adult cats are able to successfully blend to a new house. It doesn't always happen.

We also just took in 4 more feral foster kittens.  One of the cutest batches of kittens I've ever seen, and I've been really pleased at how fast they are integrating with our resident three (2 adults and a1 teenager). But SEVEN CATS in one house. Feeding times are insane... Yikes!

Got decent pics of three of the four.  Fourth is a tuxedo girl, who is very impressed with herself and unimpressed with us LOL.
« Last Edit: November 04, 2019, 08:16:09 AM by wenchsenior »

wenchsenior

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3791
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #25 on: November 04, 2019, 08:18:10 AM »
For some reason hard to upload photo...

Warlord1986

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1967
  • Age: 37
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #26 on: November 04, 2019, 09:43:51 AM »
I'm so glad for this update. It's nice to see Auburn stabilizing and living a comfortable life. <3

Wenchsenior, those kittens are darling.

Life in Balance

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 434
  • FIREd in 2019
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #27 on: November 04, 2019, 05:26:30 PM »
Such a great picture of Auburn and Arwen learning to share their human. 

And those kittens are super cute.

Sibley

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7428
  • Location: Northwest Indiana
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #28 on: November 04, 2019, 07:32:50 PM »
Aw... kittens :) I've grudgingly accepted that my lifestyle is not suited to getting kittens, so I will have to stick to adult kitties as needed. But kittens are so adorable!

Yes, Arwen and Auburn are making friends, slowly. It's all due to Arwen. Auburn has been more than willing to be friends for months now, and Arwen wasn't having it. Apparently, it takes about 4 months.

We'll see how long he's stable. Realistically, the heart problem is progressive, the kidney problem is most likely progressive, and the thyroid is controlled. So he could start declining at any time. Right now, he's happy.

Sibley

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7428
  • Location: Northwest Indiana
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #29 on: November 26, 2019, 11:47:24 AM »
One final update on this one. Auburn passed away today. He hadn't been eating well, and I took him to the shelter for their vet to look at him. They determined that his heart condition had worsened and was causing significant discomfort.

He had about 5 months of happiness and comfort, so I'd call that a success.

I'm once again a one kitty household. I will evaluate after the holidays if I want to adopt or foster, and when. This time, I will have solid information about how Arwen will adapt.

sui generis

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3104
  • she/her
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #30 on: November 26, 2019, 12:19:02 PM »
A wonderful and bittersweet update. It sounds like Auburn had a much improved end of life with you, which is such an amazing gift to give. And good intel going forward for you and Arwen. Thanks for the update and condolences on what was still probably a tough goodbye.

wenchsenior

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3791
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #31 on: November 26, 2019, 01:27:31 PM »
That was a really wonderful thing you did.  :warm fuzzies:

Life in Balance

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 434
  • FIREd in 2019
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #32 on: November 26, 2019, 01:47:13 PM »
Thank you for providing Auburn with a retirement home.  That's a lovely gift.

SunnyDays

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3489
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #33 on: November 26, 2019, 03:08:34 PM »
Aww, that’s sad, but at least he had a loving, comfortable home in his last months.  You did a good thing and I’m sure he’ll always have a little place in your heart.

Warlord1986

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1967
  • Age: 37
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #34 on: November 26, 2019, 07:11:27 PM »
That's sad, but I'm glad he had almost half a year of warmth and comfort.

calimom

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1363
  • Location: Northern California
Re: Fostering cats - experiences?
« Reply #35 on: November 26, 2019, 07:55:25 PM »
You gave that sweet Autumn a comforting place - you're a good person.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!