How can I convince my mom to let me foster a cat or something from the SPCA?

We just gt a cat, and I love it and all, but seeing all those other cats up there makes me want to adopt or foster them until they're adoptable, etc. She says she doesn't want another one, but I wonder if I could convince her otherwise. I hope that SPCA is a no-kill place .

I am 21, but still live at home because of money. I do have a job working from home, but I don't make enough to move out yet with a car payment and all. I do pay rent and cable bill for work though.

Take the advice of another 22 year old who still lives at home - do not bring anything home without your parents consent. I do it often, and I often end up in a problematic situation. Actually - within reason I can foster, however, when I brought home coccidia & ended up spending $125 to treat all my animals, that was not cool in the parental unit's opinion.

Sit down & have a honest talk with your parents. Have a plan - when you bring home a foster, it is necessary to keep them confined to a room or crate for about a week or two (ideally) to ensure they are healthy. Is your kitty UTD on shots? Fixed? Tested for Feline Leukemia/FIV? Find out what the SPCA does medically as far as testing, etc. Find out if the kitty does turn out to have something contagious - do you have to pay to treat your kitty? (Realize things like ringworm can take a month to appear, I fostered a kitten who had a negative fecal, but 2 weeks later tested + for coccidia).

What it boils down to is everyone in the house must want to foster, or it isn't fair to the foster pet.

If you have any further specific questions, I'm always a PM away.

Please, don't go against your mom's wishes. Enjoy your cat at home and if you'd like, do some volunteering at the SPCA. You are young yet, and once you're out on your own, you can do as you please.

The first thing you need to do is learn a lot about cats. You might even want to check about volunteering at a local shelter.

Adjusting to one cat is hard enough for dog people. Don't annoy the female parental unit!

"Because, if Momma ain't happy, ain't NObody happy!"

Originally Posted by CatMom2Wires

Please, don't go against your mom's wishes. Enjoy your cat at home and if you'd like, do some volunteering at the SPCA. You are young yet, and once you're out on your own, you can do as you please.

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This was going to be my suggestion too. Volunteer at a shelter or SPCA. If you really love working with animals, you might want to look into a trade school course in becomming a Vet Tech. Or maybe with some volunteering experience you could work for a vet without formal training. It might lead to new career options!

I have two nieces (sisters) who are both vets. One went to UC Davis and the other to school in Ohio. It is a very rewarding career.

I'm in the same position - in my twenties, living with my parents and wanting to foster. I have very cautiously brought up the subject a few times, and I *think* they will come around to the idea when they realize I won't be asking anything of them. I plan to make sure any fosters will be out of my parents' way and not require any work or money on their part.

In your case, since you just got a cat, it might be best to wait until everyone has settled in. Then discuss it calmly when your mom is in a good mood. Good luck!

I'd like to chime in with those suggesting that you volunteer! I volunteer at a cat shelter, and find it very fulfilling. I know many other members here do as well. Please consider it.. you'll be making such a big difference in the lives of so many cats!