Advice for Beginners
The best information on what fostering is like is to talk to others who foster, asking them to tell you all the good things, the hard things, the expenses involved, where they go for advice, and what websites they can go to for information and support on health, behavior, products, etc.
Most Rewarding Aspects of Fostering
Knowing that their life has been saved and they will have a good home, and getting to be their "safe place" until then. Their love and appreciation last long past when they leave to go to their new home.
Saddest Aspects of Fostering
Losing one (rarely, but it happens) to untreatable illness is the worst. Saying goodbye to one who's on the way out the door with his or her adopter is always hard, but also really wonderful, because you know you now have room for one more who won't have to be euthanized.
Temptation to Keep Cats and/or Kittens
I remind myself that, with the turnover rate I've experienced for adoptions, for every one I'd keep, there would be at least 6 euthanized because I didn't have room.
How I became a foster parent to cats and/or kittens
As a lifeong cat lover, I went to the Rocky Mountain Cat Fanciers Cat Show in 2006, just to see all the beautiful breeds. There was a table set up by a rescue volunteer for donations, information, and seeking volunteers, so I signed up. The application process was more like what I'd expect if I was applying to adopt a child from Guatemala, but was well worth the time, because, since then, I've had over 40 wonderful cats and kittens, mostly from shelters, adopted to wonderful, loving adopters. All the litter boxes cleaned and all the meds given haven't taken anything away from the joy of having them in my home.
How I learned to care for my foster cats & kittens
Because I've had cats all my life, I was already familiar with a lot of what is involved, but it helped to have a handbook for fostering from the rescue I foster for, and a director who is available to advise. I also am fortunate to have 2 vets who are always willing to answer questions and offer support, and I've learned a lot from websites such as this one.
Lessons learned
- The hardest lesson is that we can't save them all. Every time I go to the shelter I have to see all the ones I can't pull, as well as the ones I'm taking with me.
- When in doubt, call the vet.
- Always isolate new cats/kittens for 14 days so any illnesses, such as URI, that they already have or were exposed to at a shelter are not passed on to others in your home.
- Always test for leukemia and FIV.
- Spay/neuter BEFORE adoption; don't leave it for the adopter to do.
- Don't expect your own cats to love all the fosters all the time
- If I had a second chance, I'd have a bigger house.
