Tips for new foster please

Booktigger · 19-10-2006, 07:45 AM

WAs at the rescue last week taking pics (and determined not to come home with any), and it made me want to stop having a break, but rather than the 3yo the rescue expected me to take, I will be picking the 15 week old very shy cat up. She needs some one on one socialisation, she has no chance of a home at the moment, as she just hides all the time - although I did get her playing. I have my Messybeast article, but some tips might help as well. Here are a couple of pics, I think she looks a bit small for her age, but could be wrong.

Elaine · 19-10-2006, 08:05 PM

Aww bless, she looks so sweet. If she is very nervous and stressed, how about some brewers yeast, either tablets or powder, provided she is not prone to any urinary tract infections that is. Its full of B vits and a stressed/nervous cat will use up loads of B vits.
Maybe some feliway?

Booktigger · 19-10-2006, 08:15 PM

Cheers Elaine - I still have those tabs you sent me, so shall use the pill crusher on them - someone might finally eat them!!

Booktigger · 20-10-2006, 09:54 PM

WEll, she is here. No photos though, as the poor little mite is still hiding in the carrier (luckily that fit in the cage, so I might take the blanket out and just leave hte carrier), so I thought I would come upstairs so I could make the room quiet and dark for her - she has toys, catnip, food (with RR)and water. I did get a quick stroke though, as one of the other cats pinched the carrier!! She does allow it, but looks very scared, so I only did it as I had to hold her while the rescue took the other cat out of the carrier. They did come in off the streets, but doesn't act like a feral, and her siblings are both confident cats now. Hopefully I will be able to win her round - the rescue did say that if I am good at it, I might be getting a few next year!! They also wanted me to take on a 10 year old, but I said that I need to devote time to her.

dandysmom · 20-10-2006, 10:04 PM

Poor little mite looks so scared,,,so glad you took her; she couldn't have gone to a better place than with you! Please keep us posted......

Booktigger · 20-10-2006, 10:10 PM

she was, bless her. I only saw her about 3 times, and I was there for a couple of hours. Hopefully without manic kittens she will be a lot better. I do hope she is in a good place, I havent done anything like this before, so am nervous!!!

yola · 20-10-2006, 10:20 PM

BT - I think, from all your caring posts that you have a natural affinity with these poor homeless cats and I'm certain that you will excel at socialising this and other nervous cats . . . I look forward to reading of your progress

Booktigger · 20-10-2006, 10:25 PM

Thanks, that really does mean a lot. She is my 19th foster, i have been doing it for 2 years and 3 months. I know people who have done more in that timespan, but i do seem to keep ending up with long termers, and I do work full time as well, but I am proud of the ones I have helped, esp the two that I picked up off the street, they would have still been there otherwise, and now both are in wonderful homes. I mustn't have done too bad a job on the shy/timid adult I fostered, he went to a new home after 5 months, and has done really well in his new home, she can do loads of stuff with him - he would have been released into a working environment if I hadn't taken him.

dandysmom · 21-10-2006, 01:57 AM

Yola said it very well; you are doing wonders with these cats; I do respect you so much for it. Does the shy little back girl have a name?

Booktigger · 21-10-2006, 10:12 AM

Thanks!! Her name is Shadow!!
Not a particularly good night though - I thought I heard her crying a couple of times, but wasnt sure as I play music all night, and when I went down she was quiet. When I went to feed her though, she had got litter on top of the carrier, in the food and water, all over the bed, food all over the bed and a biscuit on top of hte carrier!! So I think she was a bit stressed - the cage was completely covered last night, so have left it partly covered now, and moved things inside it to see if that helps - I might sleep downstairs tonight, or leave a nightlight on. The rescue say i should take the carrier off her as soon as possible so she cant hide from me, but I feel a bit cruel doing that, I would prefer something where she feels secure but can still see me - just can't think of anything I have, unless the wigwam bed will fit in - must try that!!

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