Advice for Beginners
I have found that most tiny kittens do not know how to drink water by themselves. I had to give them water with a little dropper after each meal. They learned to drink on their own after 6 weeks.
Most Rewarding Aspects of Fostering
I have rescued several tiny kittens over the years- well under 5 weeks old. They are not fostered, they have their permanent home with me. I could never give them up. Each is unique and all are so loving. Watching them grow.
Saddest Aspects of Fostering
Knowing that if I hadn't rescued these tiny kittens, they wouldn't have survived.
Temptation to Keep Cats and/or Kittens
I've kept all of my rescued kittens. All are spayed and neutered now. They are my family and they are with me permanently.
How I became a foster parent to cats and/or kittens
Two of my cats were abandoned in the street when only three and a half weeks old. I thought Tasha was a male and luckily I found out in three days. With Walter [who's name is remaining Walter], I found out a few months later he is a she.
Gretel was abandoned in a field. My daughter brought her home. Gretel has never gotten over being abandoned. She will grab onto whoever picks her up. No amount of love is ever enough love. She is very emotionally needy. Her being abandoned left serious scars. She was only abut 10 weeks old when we found her. She is now 7 years old.
How I learned to care for my foster cats & kittens
I learned on my own, through experience. The most important thing I learned was how tiny kittens often do not know how to drink on their own. I had to give each of them water, using a dropper several times a day, especially after meals.
Tiny kittens also have to be kept warm. Tasha was rescued in the fall and I slept with her, keeping her warm, as it was getting cold. She slept under the blankets with me. She was very tiny, well under four weeks old.
Lessons learned
- I learned that animals are extremely sensitive, very loving and very aware, more than most humans would know. They feel and experience emotional pain just as we humans do.
- I wouldn't do anything differently. I am so glad I kept them, as they are family.
