Getting depressed about giving up kittens

So I took in a pregnant stray a few months ago and now we have the mama and 4 kittens (2 months old). Our plan has always been to keep the mama and home all the kittens. Well we have found great homes for all the kittens and they will go to their new homes in a few weeks.

So what's the problem? Me. I've become totally attached to all these kittens and can't bear the thought of parting with them. Mind you, they are all going to great, responsible homes. The excited future owners even come by routinely to visit their kittens.

Their new homes are all close by, so I know I can visit but.....I can't imagine how (depressingly) quiet our house is going to be this summer.

(this is my first experience with kittens, so I wasn't expecting this)

Well, keep in mind that they would pretty quickly grow up and outgrow that kitten cuteness.

It's great that you've found them good homes.

I am in a similar situation at the moment, except for the fact that even though the kittens have to go (so I can return to England asap) its proving virtually impossible to find good homes. So I am faced with having to find homes, but not much hope of finding good ones. I'm actually spending over £120 (about $240) on a new visa, which means flying to Singapore purely to fly straight back again (stupid visa rule) so that I have an extra month here to find them homes, despite the fact that I am desperate to go home because I am so unhappy here. A predicament.... Anyway, sorry, I digress. It sounds like you have a good situation here, lovely homes and close by too, and more importantly, you have a delightful new mummy cat. Congratulations

Hey thanks, guys. Yeah, I know I have nothing to be whining about and should be delighted at the circumstances....just wasn't expecting to get so attached. Not to mention that a house full of kittens is constant (and funny) entertainment. I know I should be counting my blessings, but I am going to miss the little guys.

Joy, you are a saint! Good luck finding homes for the kitties. If you weren't so far away, I'd come and take them!!

I would imagine that different attitudes toward animals in Indonesia would make finding homes for kittens or cats very difficult.

Roto, maybe you can foster kittens or pregnant cats from a local no-kill shelter.

If you arent sure of where to find one in your area check out Petfinder.com. Many people are surprised at how easy it is to become a foster parent. They provide the medical care that is needed and rehome the kittens and mother.

We have a pretty constant flow of kittens during the spring and summer months. Currently I have two foster moms - one set, 6 weeks old on Monday, living in my daughter's room; and the other 5 days old, living in my room.

Congratulations on finding the kittens such great home, and bless your heart for adopting the mom cat!

Originally Posted by Rotobay

So I took in a pregnant stray a few months ago and now we have the mama and 4 kittens (2 months old). Our plan has always been to keep the mama and home all the kittens. Well we have found great homes for all the kittens and they will go to their new homes in a few weeks.

So what's the problem? Me. I've become totally attached to all these kittens and can't bear the thought of parting with them. Mind you, they are all going to great, responsible homes. The excited future owners even come by routinely to visit their kittens.

Their new homes are all close by, so I know I can visit but.....I can't imagine how (depressingly) quiet our house is going to be this summer.

(this is my first experience with kittens, so I wasn't expecting this)

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Awww, I hear you. About 3 summers ago I went around adopting stray kittens off people who were just about to dump them to the streets or take them to the pounds. I took them home, fed them, got them all fixed and ready for new homes... but when the new owners came, I just didnt want to give them up, AT ALL. Sucked... There was one that just broke my heart to give away and to this day I wish I had held on to him. He was sooo sweet, but he has a great home.


You'll find peace in that sooner or later. You cant just keep 1?

I have to echo one of the other posters, and that is to volunteer for a foster mum - rescues love people who can help out with mum and kittens, as they take up pens for a long time, and you get better socialised kittens if they are in a house. Good luck, and am afraid I can't help on the getting attached, I Was glad to see my first foster kittens be homed!!

I don't know...
I am rotten advice I am sure because I'd probably keep them...
I know I have a mother kitty now and two kittens that are less than a week old that I was going to foster...
(yeah righto Caroleen)
That was the intent....
I think I have homes for both....
But I am one of those people who get's attached....
And cats aren't like dogs....
I mean the difference between 2 and 4 is just minimal to me.....
I have no clue how my cat will intergrate with them even and there is hope that I will let them go.....
But it is hard.....
But I am trying to look at it this way....
Because of us they GOT that chance to go to a good home and because we have adopted them out we have the chance to do it again if we want......
We saved lives you know?
We could do it again....
We could be rewarded again....
So I think it comes down to the ability....
Do you have the ability to keep the kittens?
If so then it is simply choosing what YOU can live with....
Because at the end of the day that is what matters....
What you can live with and what you can live without....
If you can be content in visiting them then I think you'll know.....
But if you are miserable in that thought and have the ability to keep them then why not?
Course I just have to keep thinking if I keep these no more mother cats!
I'd end up with a colony! =)
Good luck!

Thank you all for the replies. I wish I could keep them (or at least one) but I would feel horrible calling the new families (who have all been visiting, counting the days , and buying supplies for their new kitties) 'Sorry I changed my mind and you can't have your kitten'. ..esp since they all have kids who can't wait for their new additions.

If any of these homes were not perfect, I could justify it. But I think I should just be happy that all these babies are going to great, responsible and loving homes.

Marianjela, that is GREAT advice. My husband and I were just saying last night..."Where can we get another pregnant cat?' We are thinking of adopting another preggo and keeping the whole litter, but fostering may be the answer.

My only concern in doing this is how will my mama cat react to another cat in the house (she's a bit territorial and since she was a former stray, she tends to be a fighter). We are getting her spayed next month when all the kittens are weaned, so she may mellow out after that.

But yes, I think the only remedy is get another pregnant cat and keep some kittens this time. So do I just call a shelter and say I want to foster? I am not a part of any rescue group....

I know what you mean - but you have a lot of positive in there - think about that rather then the negative with no kittens in the house. Kittens grow up fast, and you will get to see/experience them growing into nice adult cats - all cause of the work/time you've put into them now.

I missed my rex kittens, but knew they were going to good homes. And I still get a bit jealous of some of you with those cute kittens - but really don't want all the work that goes with it. The kittens were spoken for before born, so in my mind, I was only gonna have them a few months

Its hard. When Coco had Kittens I kept one and gave my Sister Midnight. The other went to my idiot Cousin and we told him give her back if you cant keep her. He gave her away and I have always wondered about her. I still see Midnight because my list lives about 17 miles from me. Meeko just had one Kitten Yoshi and I kept him because I felt bad about giving her only Kitten away. I had him fixed very young because Coco can ot be fixed and I didnt want her to get Preg. I know how you all feel about giving Kittens away.

Originally Posted by Rotobay

But yes, I think the only remedy is get another pregnant cat and keep some kittens this time. So do I just call a shelter and say I want to foster? I am not a part of any rescue group....

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In my case it was super easy. All I did was EMAIL the shelter from their homepage and offered to be a foster to pregnant or nursing moms.

The only thing they require is that your resident cats are healthy, UTD on shots and altered. They dont want their preggo moms coming back pregnant again!

They provide all the food (although I still supplement with canned food) and litter. They also give you a crate to transport them to your house in. Even give you a litter pan if you need it. Mom has already had her check up by the shelters vet and is given a flea treatment if necessary.

Like someone else said, shelters welcome fosters as they free up needed cage space and also because the kittens arent exposed to the risk factors in the kennel environment.

We have two no-kill shelters in our area, one is cageless (run stictly in foster homes) and the other is an actual shelter, where I volunteer for.

I sometimes have trouble letting go too! I have been pretty good about limiting myself. I probably would have 20 cats if I could afford the vet care, so that is my "grounder". I only keep what I can afford the upkeep on. Which is the best part about fostering. They take care of the vet care for you! Sure it's hard letting go sometimes, but I know the next bunch is just around the corner.

Kinda reminds me of what I tell my daughters when they change classes every year. Just imagine the new friends you get to meet - LOL.

Good luck and keep us posted!!