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Normally when I write about my personal fostering experiences, it’s about the puppies that I take home. Truth be told, I prefer fostering kittens over puppies for the following reasons:

  • They do not feel the need to put everything in their sight line in their mouths.
  • They do not chew on chair legs, drywall, flooring or other permanent fixtures in the house.
  • They do not require eight weeks of 24/7 monitoring in order to keep them from doing serious harm to themselves.
  • They do not scream at the top of their lungs for hours on end when the lights go out for the night.
  • They don’t need to be bathed every other day.
  • And, most importantly, they don’t leave me little “presents” or puddles every 10 seconds.

Iris

Developing a bond with foster animals is inevitable, and it’s always bittersweet when they leave you for their forever homes. In this case, I knew I was setting myself up for heartache when it’s time to let her go, but I usually bounce back quickly when I see how excited and happy the adopters are as they come to pick up their new family member.

I’m normally fostering puppies and kittens that leave as soon as they’re 8 or 9 weeks old and can be altered. Puppies are easily adopted, and I’m usually VERY ready for them to go and pee on someone else’s floor. With the kittens, it’s much more difficult to find homes. And since they’re no trouble, I’m fine waiting for a good home for them. I knew in the case of Merida (named after Disney’s heroine princess for her bravery), I probably would have her a couple of extra weeks because she would need that extra time to grow and develop. But panic surged through my veins when I talked to the vet about the schedule for her normal kitten wellness care and her surgery … FOUR MONTHS! The vet wants to wait until she’s at least 4 months old before we spay her! She’s only 6 weeks old now, which means I have to love her for another 2½ months and then let her go!

I lucked out with Amazing Grace, the last foster puppy we had. I couldn’t help but have a special bond with her because of the near-death experiences she suffered and the fact that we got her when she was just a few days old. As soon as I wrote about her, a wonderful couple came forward after reading the column, so she was on track to go to a fabulous home right from the beginning. I’m hoping that Merida, with her beautiful face and outgoing personality, also will pull on someone’s heartstrings so that she can move on to the next chapter in her little life as soon as possible.

Source: Lovable kitten’s short-term stay gets longer

Posted in 2016, SJRAS Articles