Keep them?

carolpetunia · Jun 22, 2007

It sounds like a wonderful solution to me -- as long as it's safe for Calamity. I'm sure you can do some research on the health implications of nursing for an extended period... and as I understand it, you can help keep her healthy by giving her kitten food and pregnancy vitamins.

Remember that the shelter probably gets discounts on the supplies and vet care they'll be providing... and they wouldn't suggest this arrangement if they didn't feel it would be beneficial to them.

At least give it a try -- if it doesn't work out, you can always adjust the plan later on.

starryeyedtiger · Jun 22, 2007

to be honest hon- it is NOT a good idea to let them be "foster moms" the reason for this is any other tiny kittens you put with them are too young to be tested for numerous illnesses- so you could be unknowingly exposing them to many diseases or other illnesses that they haven't been tested or vaccinated (too young) for. It is also not a good idea for them another litter to nurse calamity for that very reason- they can pick up sooo many illnesses that way- not to mention it is not good for momma kitties to nurse litter after litter- it depletes their body and does not allow their nipples or other parts to fully heal (like it would between litters in the wild) as a result it can make them stressed and more prone to illness- it can also cause infections if their nipples are nursed too much. I know it seems like a good idea- but please decline for the sake of those kitties. Also- i am astounded a shelter would even suggest doing this- knowing that at that age with a tiny kitten they are too small to be tested/etc- it would definitely expose calamity and the other kitty to illnesses as well as the rest of yours. It is not a good idea at all! - sure it may help infant kittens- but soo will bottle feeding- and when you do that you can keep them seperate from your other animals and at least reduce the instances of exposure.

The right thing for the shelter to do is to spay Calamity and Skye! It will reduce their odds of reproductive cancers, behavioral issues, and not to mention- prevent them from having any other litters of kittens and contributing to the overpopulation. You are doing a good job as a foster mom- but it sounds like that shelter needs to get its priorities straight and help the animals that they have taken under their wings by ensuring that they are not exposed to certain preventable situations and that all animals are spayed/neutered when appropriate ages are reached. If the shelter is concerned about infant kittens needing a "foster mom"- they need to be bottle feeding them if at all possible to reduce the spread of diseases/exposure all the way around.

white cat lover · Jun 22, 2007

I don't really like the nursing idea a whole lot, but if you are talking about socializing, then yes, I say keep them. At the HS here, sometimes we've got two options: 1) Find a nursing mother 2) euthanize day or week old kittens. We usually find a nursing mother & risk it, because it's better than outright killing the babies. Sorry to say that...but it at least gives the kittens a chance.

fostermomm · Jun 22, 2007

Originally Posted by StarryEyedTiGeR

to be honest hon- it is NOT a good idea to let them be "foster moms" the reason for this is any other tiny kittens you put with them are too young to be tested for numerous illnesses- so you could be unknowingly exposing them to many diseases or other illnesses that they haven't been tested or vaccinated (too young) for. It is also not a good idea for them another litter to nurse calamity for that very reason- they can pick up sooo many illnesses that way- not to mention it is not good for momma kitties to nurse litter after litter- it depletes their body and does not allow their nipples or other parts to fully heal (like it would between litters in the wild) as a result it can make them stressed and more prone to illness- it can also cause infections if their nipples are nursed too much. I know it seems like a good idea- but please decline for the sake of those kitties. Also- i am astounded a shelter would even suggest doing this- knowing that at that age with a tiny kitten they are too small to be tested/etc- it would definitely expose calamity and the other kitty to illnesses as well as the rest of yours. It is not a good idea at all! - sure it may help infant kittens- but soo will bottle feeding- and when you do that you can keep them seperate from your other animals and at least reduce the instances of exposure.

The right thing for the shelter to do is to spay Calamity and Skye! It will reduce their odds of reproductive cancers, behavioral issues, and not to mention- prevent them from having any other litters of kittens and contributing to the overpopulation. You are doing a good job as a foster mom- but it sounds like that shelter needs to get its priorities straight and help the animals that they have taken under their wings by ensuring that they are not exposed to certain preventable situations and that all animals are spayed/neutered when appropriate ages are reached. If the shelter is concerned about infant kittens needing a "foster mom"- they need to be bottle feeding them if at all possible to reduce the spread of diseases/exposure all the way around.

Thanks Nikki. I told them if I did it I wouldnt want tiny babies. And both of them are already spayed. I still havnt decided anything though. We'll see. Calamity has already been taking care of another litter. The rescue already decided that Skye is going to be used as a foster mom anyways. If I dont keep her here she'll be in a different foster home doing the same thing.

Calamity I think they just dont want to deal with trying to find her a home.

starryeyedtiger · Jun 22, 2007

Originally Posted by Fostermomm

Thanks Nikki. I told them if I did it I wouldnt want tiny babies. And both of them are already spayed. I still havnt decided anything though. We'll see. Calamity has already been taking care of another litter. The rescue already decided that Skye is going to be used as a foster mom anyways. If I dont keep her here she'll be in a different foster home doing the same thing.

Calamity I think they just dont want to deal with trying to find her a home.

no problem hon

if they are already spayed- then calamity's milk should be drying up soon. were they recently spayed?? if so- do they still have stitches/etc because that can cause infection/other problems if the kittens are nursing on a mommy who has recently been spayed. i can't believe they suggested that

for calamity's own health that is not safe. the decision they've made concerning skye does not seem to be in her best interest eithor seeing how they're planning to put young kittens (too young to be tested/ vaccinated for most things) with her and exposing her to the unknown. i do hope skye is fully vaccinated- however if she is- and it has been recent and she is still nursing -that can harm the kittens in some instances depending on what she was vaccinated with. i wish you the best whatever you decide to do hon- i'm only a pm away anytime you need anything!

those furbabies are sooo lucky to have you to care for them and love them! i do hope the shelter improves some of its policies.

also for kittens that they ARE able to test/vaccinate depending on age- at least insist that one from each litter be tested for Felv (kittens are too young for a combo test in most instances). - if one kitten is negative and has been in the same identical environment/etc as the others the likelyhood the others are negative is good too (not fool proof - but a good guess- testing gets VERY expensive so some shelters test one sibling from a litter or a momma to save $ - at least then you'd have SOME sort of idea of what you're dealing with then. Just be aware that false negatives aren't uncommon though so make sure whatever you bring home if you take anything home is seperate from your other animals and that your own furbabies are completly vaccinated (if you can find any extra $ to vaccinate for additional things such a FIP / upper respiratory etc that is always a good idea!) Also- be before introducing ANY new kitten to your others that they are dewormed first. Even the tinsy tiny ones can have a small dose of Strongid (but not panicure! - different type of worms it treats/prevents).

booktigger · Jun 23, 2007

nikki does bring some good points. I am a bit iffy with the thought of them being 'used' for foster mums, personally I Think it is a bit unfair on the females, surely they deserve to be found a good home environment now?

fostermomm · Jun 23, 2007

Originally Posted by StarryEyedTiGeR

no problem hon

if they are already spayed- then calamity's milk should be drying up soon. were they recently spayed?? if so- do they still have stitches/etc because that can cause infection/other problems if the kittens are nursing on a mommy who has recently been spayed. i can't believe they suggested that

for calamity's own health that is not safe. the decision they've made concerning skye does not seem to be in her best interest eithor seeing how they're planning to put young kittens (too young to be tested/ vaccinated for most things) with her and exposing her to the unknown. i do hope skye is fully vaccinated- however if she is- and it has been recent and she is still nursing -that can harm the kittens in some instances depending on what she was vaccinated with. i wish you the best whatever you decide to do hon- i'm only a pm away anytime you need anything!

those furbabies are sooo lucky to have you to care for them and love them! i do hope the shelter improves some of its policies.

Calamity was spayed the day after memorial day. It was a spay abort. I dont know how long its been. But shes still always full of milk. Skye doesnt have milk anymore at all shes totally dried up but does still continue to let the kittens suck on her. The vet said to keep her away from the kittens for 5 days and then we wouldnt need to worry as much about infection and stuff. They are both totally healed up from their spays. Skye was vaccinated when she was spayed. Calamity was vaccinated when she came into the rescue. I told them I would keep Calamity as long as she was alive because the other choice they were giving me was TNR and shes not feral. So Calamity will be here forever with me. I told them in a couple months I might be able to adopt her. My ex hubby said he would pay for any vet bills if thats what I want. I think I will probably do that. Skye I told them I think she should have a chance at having a good home of her own and not have to spend her life raising kittens. But my ex said he thinks I should adopt her too. I really dont know. My ex says he wants Ari to have pets of her own and not just fosters. I think he just wants me to be happy and not have to worry. GRRR! Why did he decide he didnt want to be married anymore?

gailuvscats · Jun 23, 2007

Does this mean you are continuously have kittens around?

when I fostered a mommy cat and her 4 kits, I thought I would go nuts. Mainly because I had to juggle them between my cats. But the worst was the smell of mommy cats poo. Nothing stinks more than a lactating cat poo. I gag thinking about it.

fostermomm · Jun 23, 2007

Originally Posted by gailuvscats

Does this mean you are continuously have kittens around?

when I fostered a mommy cat and her 4 kits, I thought I would go nuts. Mainly because I had to juggle them between my cats. But the worst was the smell of mommy cats poo. Nothing stinks more than a lactating cat poo. I gag thinking about it.

I will continuasly have kittens around wether I keep Skye and Calamity or not. Im a foster home for lactating moms and kittens.

gailuvscats · Jun 23, 2007

I will continuasly have kittens around wether I keep Skye and Calamity or not. Im a foster home for lactating moms and kittens.

Well then, it's a no brainer. Keep them and don't feel guilty. The agency asked you to do it and offered to carry the expense. You are doing them a favor. That is very nice of you. Have fun.

arie85 · Jun 23, 2007

Continue to foster them but on a permanent basis. Reason: Cats don't like to move from 1 territory to another, they like to stay on a permanent territory thus people should foster them on a permanent basis even if it's difficult.

pookieboy · Jun 23, 2007

Originally Posted by Bonnie1965

I think that if you, Skye and Calamity are providing services (love and socializatipn) to the rescue, then it is okay. I know it is difficult to accept help sometimes but just think of all the good you three could do together. It sounds like a good match all the way around.

I TOTALLY agree!

tiger1206 · Jun 23, 2007

The only thing that bothers me is that the mama cats are always going to be nursing, for a long time I imagine. Nursing is hard work for a mom even though it may not seem so and I'm sure it does take a toll on their body.

fosterkitty · Jun 23, 2007

whether the cats are adoptable or not, I don't think its fair for one to be a continous milk supply for hungry kittens. She deserves a chance to be a normal cat. If they enjoy the kittens, sure, let them socialize them, but the nursing thing I don't agree with at all.

booktigger · Jun 24, 2007

Arie - that isn't always practical, the majority of the cats I have fostered have adapted to a new home wonderfully (some preferring it to mine!!), including shy cats, and if we all kept cats because of reasons like that, every foster home would be full and we couldnt help more.
Fostermum - another thing I would consider is would it affect your fostering by keeping these two?

xxtashaxx · Jun 24, 2007

this is just imo , but if you would like to keep them permently and could find a way to afford it yourself then do this , but i wouldnt let them be used as surgget mums, i dont think it is fair on them, they deserve a normal relaxed happy home. not having kittens for the next what 6-12 months? i just dont think it is fair on them.

fostermomm · Jun 25, 2007

Originally Posted by booktigger

Arie - that isn't always practical, the majority of the cats I have fostered have adapted to a new home wonderfully (some preferring it to mine!!), including shy cats, and if we all kept cats because of reasons like that, every foster home would be full and we couldnt help more.
Fostermum - another thing I would consider is would it affect your fostering by keeping these two?

I agree just because they enjoy being here doesnt mean they dont deserve a home of their own. Skye would do well anywhere in any situation. Shes a real doll. I told them I wasnt willing to do that with her. So far they havnt done anything and shes still on petfinder so maybe they decided to do something else.

I ended up adopting Calamity saturday. They said they will give me meds and shots for her for just the price of them so I can handle that. I have a credit card for unexpected illness and stuff. So I have Miss Calamity and I really dont know about Skye. I want her to get a home of her own but I also want to keep her. As for wether it will affect my fostering if I keep them. No it wont I keep my fosters in cages other then these two most of the time. In the x-large dog crates. I wont be taking in any more fosters until their kittens are gone.

bonnie1965 · Jun 25, 2007

Congratualtions on adopting Calamity! She has a wonderful home now

booktigger · Jun 25, 2007

Aww, if Calamity is a hard to home cat, it is wonderful that you are keeping her, and I do hope a good home can be found for Skye. There are always cats we would love to keep, but I think if they are the kind that could find a home, it is better to let them have that home, it gives us the time and space to help a more needy cat.

trouts mom · Jun 26, 2007

Awwwww, I'm glad you are keeping Calamity

Keep them?

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