Advice for Beginners
Make sure you have the space, time , financial resources and someone to ask for help and/or advice. If you are bottle feeding even just a single orphan at some point you will need help: either medical advice or perhaps just someone to cover for you while you get a nap.
Most Rewarding Aspects of Fostering
Watching kittens grow and flourish then go to a good home. Or nursing a sickly baby from the brink of death to become a plump, scampering, bouncy happy kitten.
Saddest Aspects of Fostering
When a sick newborn can't be saved - it seems so unfair.
Sometimes you feel sad when it's time for your foster kitten or cat to go to their new home. You wonder if their new family will love them as much as you do and if they will get the very best care.
Temptation to Keep Cats and/or Kittens
The temptation can be overwhelming ! Just remember that you need to let them go to a good home so that you will have room in your own home for another. The next one may need you more than the one(s) before. Besides, if you are fostering kittens you have already had the most fun part of their lives!
How I became a foster parent to cats and/or kittens
I began volunteering with a no-kill shelter as long as it was understood that I could only contribute my time and some of my money - that there was "absolutely no more room in my home for more cats." That lasted until someone dumped kittens at a friend's house and I had to ask my shelter if 2 of them could be admitted to the program if I fostered them. Then another volunteer found a litter under her house and there was this tiny runt that she was worried about and I was feeling lonely after the first 2 fosters had left. A week later she caught one of his siblings. Now we have added a 2 week old orphan to my group!
How I learned to care for my foster cats & kittens
Three years ago when I found a 3 week old I had to learn from books, online research and my vet. This time the shelter staff has been a terrific resource and the same vet has been a godsend. Now that I feel I "have the hang of it" it seems like the healthy babies can't grow fast enough to move into the shelter ( it is a wonderful place and we really pamper our cats!) so that I can bring home some that need special care. Unfortunately I have limited space and it is important to keep them segregated until all vaccines are completed or if any one of them is ill. Otherwise I would send hubby to the couch and I would fill my bedroom with babies!
Lessons learned
- Be financially prepared - particularly with kittens. The tiny ones can sicken very quickly and you should not wait to seek professional help. Even if you have the guidance and support of a rescue group or shelter there may be a time when you need to take the initiative and visit the vet at your own expense.
- Be obsessive about hygiene! Keep their bedding and living quarters pristine and remember to scrub your hands (and arms) after handling kittens as well as before. I might have been able to avoid contracting mange if I had washed as well "after" as I did "before".
- Seek knowledge and share what you learn!
