Foster Mom in Need of Some Advice :)

Hello!

My name is Kayla Myers. I am new to the site. I was wondering if I could get some feedback about a situation I have found myself in. I have been fostering for my local shelters for a few years now. I started with dogs, but when I began going to school full time, I switched over to kitties because they are a little easier to care for. I usually fostered kittens who were too young to put up for adoption, or who were sick and needed a lot of care before they were able to go up for adoption.

One of my friends knew about my kitty fostering. She found out she was pregnant, and her boyfriend was allergic to her cats. They planned on moving in together, and the boyfriend told her to get rid of her cats. She pleaded with me to take them and find homes for them so they would not have to go to a shelter. Both cats are very nice, can tolerate other cats, love dogs, and are ok with children. One of them is a little skittish, though, so I was concerned that she would not pass the temperament test at our humane society since she takes awhile to become comfortable in a new environment. She also did not want to split the girls up.

They are two and four years old. One is grey with a little white spot on her chest and the other is dilute tortie. Both awesome, loving kitties, up to date on vet care, fixed, and ready for their new home. However, I have never had to adopt out adult cats before. Through my work at the shelter, I knew they took more time to generate interest, especially those who should go to a new home as a pair. However, I was not prepared for the absolute LACK of interest I am facing!! I have had zero people respond to my ads in the time I have had them (almost two months). I am getting frustrated. I felt like this was pushed on me, and since I did not want to see anything bad happen to them, I relented and took them in. However, they have to be separated from my roommates' cat because he is VERY aggressive with other cats. Usually this isn't a problem for my kitten fosters because they only spend a few weeks locked in my office before they get adopted.

However, these are two full-sized adult cats crammed into a small room, and I just feel so badly for them. They are also taking up valuable foster space for more at-risk animals, and my relationships with my rescue organizations I collaborate with are beginning to suffer. They want me back as a foster home. They tell me I should not have taken on the cats, and I should have made my friend do the leg-work in finding a new home.

They are posted on Petfinder, I have posted about 15 fliers around town in various pet stores and grocery stores, and I have posted them on Facebook. I have contacted all my animal loving friends and asked them to keep their ears out for anyone who may give them a good home, but still nothing. Is there any advice you guys could give me as for doing some publicity for them? I really need to find these girls a new home. It isn't fair that they are locked up all day, and I really need the space back. These two older ladies are healthy, happy, and just need someone to love them forever. Here are a couple pictures so you can see their cuteness.

As far as what you're  already doing, I really don't know of much more to do.  As you know, it's hard to find homes for adult cats.    At this point, however,  you might think about splitting them up, if that's what it takes,  That might make it a little easier.   It's definitely  a dilemma

I would like to know what the boyfriend did to see if he could tolerate living with the cats?  Did he have reactions when he went his his girlfriends residence?  Did he look into allergy shots or did they ask the vet for help?  My DH was very allergic to cats during his childhood and into his early 30's.  My son and I began volunteering at our local human society and my son fell in love with one of the kittens.  He had wanted a cat for so long.  My husband started volunteering at the humane society too.  We brought him into the cat room where there were 50+ cats.  He did not react at all.  He held the cats, touched his eyes and nothing.  He had out grown the allergy.  We talked with our vet and there are products that can help humans with cat allergies.  Did your friend look into these?  It just really upsets me to read when someone tells someone to "get rid of the cats".  Being pregnant with cats is not an issue as long as she doesn't clean the litter box and washes her hands frequently. 

I guess I would go back to your friend and ask what was done to see if she could keep the cats.  I just cannot imagine anyone telling me I had to get rid of my cats without first trying.

I think you are a saint for trying to help your friend.  I wish you luck in trying to find them homes.

I'm so sorry you're finding yourself in this situation. I run a small rescue and placing adult cats take time, sometimes a very long time. I've had cats that have stayed as much as two years. Two months is unfortunately nothing when it comes to placing adults. The fact that they are a pair makes it much more difficult. I'm not surprised that you haven't had any interest. I have a beautiful gray cat that I have had no interest in in over a year and he's posted all over the place.

If I were you I'd tell your friend to take them and put them in one of her rooms instead. If her boyfriend is allergic he can just stay out of that room.

The one tip I can give you is to get some very good pictures of them to make them stand out. Putting clothes on them helps. Get little cute dog shirts, some other props and stage the picture to make them look cute or funny. Background matters too. I saw this little giraffe costume at Walmart the other day. Something like that would be good. Something that makes you go "awww". Humanize them. If you hang fliers make sure you have a catchy, funny or cute headline in big letters and always have color photos. Videos of them doing stuff also helps. You can include a Youtube link in your fliers and ads.

Does the shelter you foster for do adoption shows? If so I would get them out there so more people can see them. If you do, dress them up for that too. If your shelter don't do adoption shows you could try to check with other local rescues to see if they would be willing to let you display your cats at their adoption show.

As much as it sucks I would also offer the cats separately. Placing adult pairs is near impossible. You would have to find that perfect person who wants a bonded pair and they don't grow on trees.

I really think your friend should do much of this leg work. It's really her problem and if she isn't willing to take her responsibility to make a lifetime commitment she should at least put it in the work to try to find her cats a place to go.

I wish people would understand how hard it is to rehome adult cats and that they would consider that when they start having thoughts of "getting rid of" the cat. People seem to be under the impression that if you don't want to keep your cat you just put out an ad and find someone else to take them. I keep seeing ads on Craigslist from people who want to find a home for their cat "by Friday" and then only include a bad picture and no info about the cat and seriously think that someone will take their cat by Friday. It doesn't work that way and most likely those cats end up at the pound being put down because there are no no-kill shelters or rescues to take them either. Fact is that if you can't keep your cat for life his chance of a good life, and even survival, are bad, so if you don't plan to commit to your cat like you would another family member please don't get one!