Fostering?!

I will be picking up my first foster kitten next week and I thought I'd just pop in here and get some advice and suggestions. I will be fostering an underage kitten, most likely about 3 or 4 weeks old, so anything about raising the little ones is much appreciated since I don't have a ton of experience in that area.

I've fostered dogs before, but hope I can give up the kitten in 4 or 5 weeks cause I always get attached!

I am soooo psyched about this opportunity; I actually went out tonite and got all the basic materials I'll need cause I couldn't force myself to wait any longer to get things rolling.

Moving this to Pregnant Cats & Kitten Care - you'll get more expert advice here.

Originally Posted by animalgirl

I will be picking up my first foster kitten next week and I thought I'd just pop in here and get some advice and suggestions. I will be fostering an underage kitten, most likely about 3 or 4 weeks old, so anything about raising the little ones is much appreciated since I don't have a ton of experience in that area.

I've fostered dogs before, but hope I can give up the kitten in 4 or 5 weeks cause I always get attached!

I am soooo psyched about this opportunity; I actually went out tonite and got all the basic materials I'll need cause I couldn't force myself to wait any longer to get things rolling.

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Congrats on fostering your first little one. I would suggest reading this site:

http://www.kitten-rescue.com

which has lots of information regarding the general care of kittens, what to feed it and other good information.

Katie

Checking out kitten rescue is a good idea!

I find having a lot of old towels around (for everything from snuggling to mopping stuff up) is very useful.

Feel free to ask questions anytime! There are a lot of foster parents on the board.

Congrats on fostering !

I am curently fostering a momma with her 3 beautifull babies (I gotta get the pics online !) and a possible momma that's not feeling too well. My family has enjoyed it immensely. I am trying to find families for the momma and her kittens before it is time to bring them back to the shelter since I figure they'll be easier to give up if I know they'll be in good hands.

Not much advise to offer since my kittens came with their mum so she's taking care of the feeding and litter training. I suppose getting the ingredients for "kitten glop" (see sticky post on this oard) in case they need some milk supplement would be a good idea (my kittens LOVE it - if there's any left after the mum spies it !).

Someone on here suggested a disposable tin foil pan with low sides as a first litter box. That's what I put in with the kits and they have no trouble getting in and out. There not using it yet but they like to play with the litter !

Have fun and take lots of pics !
Welcome !
Julie

Note taken on towels - I'm going home for the holiday weekend and will be sure to bring back some extras in addition to my stash here (usually used for doggie baths and feet lol).

I love the idea about disposable tin pans for litter - I got a small regular litter box, but if I get kits that are on the young side I was wondering how'd they'd manage.

Checked out the kitten site you mentioned - I'll prob end up book marking it; a very good resource.

I like the idea someone mentioned about finding homes for the kits before they go back to the shelter cause that is one thing I'm def worried about given the dismal adoption rates for cats int his area.

I'm glad I have a digital camera - will be sharing pics as soon as I get my girl/boy.

Sadder note: got a call from the shelter and they have two possibly FeLV positive kittens (very slight positive on test) that they were wondering if I could take since I don't have a cat at school with me, but I can't because I am not allowed to have more than one kitten at my place and I don't know if I'd be able to deal with them being euthanized if they are actually truly FeLV positive on the next test in 4 weeks. I can't imagine taking care of two kittens for a month and then having them end up PTS.

I'm leaning toward housing the kitten I get in a spare bathroom rather than in the laundry room in the basement. The bathroom is on the main level and I could prob even get by with a baby gate while the kitten is really young and I'm home so s/he gets exposed to house noises and people. One problem: the floor is carpeted; do you think covering the floor w/ plastic sheeting and then towels would work to protect the carpet from kitten related damage? The bathroom is pretty small btw, probably 6x8 or so.

I also have a large dog crate (36") that could work, but I want to make sure the baby doesn't have ringworm or something my dog could catch before I allow direct contact. Is this a valid concern?

Thanks again!

Erin

as far as carpeted floors... try putting down those plastic mats they have for computer chairs, and throwing some towels over it... ur floor will be safe and kitty will be cozy!!

the only thing i can really say about kitten care is love love love, (actually, it'd be had NOT to) but cuddling will give u a better chance on it growing up a cuddly cat, and many people who get cats for children or even themselves like cuddly cats

some of mine are cuddly, some only come out when they're hungry. but they all come out when im sad

im under the impression that all cats need wormed, i always have mine done as soon as possible to prevent a possible unhappy sick feeling kitty