Well, guys, after nearly six years of fostering many adorable cats and kittens, there's a chance I'm going to become a foster failure - sort of. Bet some of you can guess who it might be, too - Louie, the big, black, sweet, goofy FIV+ guy who came inside in late Dec. after several years as scared neighborhood stray. Louie spent his first month inside at the rescue where I volunteer and did well - loved all the volunteers and became a big fan of belly rubs. He was with me up until a month ago, when he went to stay with the director of our spay/neuter clinic, so I could take a couple of feral kittens to socialize. - sort of my speciality.
Unfortunately, Louie hasn't done well at his other foster home. In spite of his foster's vast cat experience, patience and love, he spends most of his time hiding and doesn't seem interested in contact with her. At my house, he was one of the gang, had become good buddies with my guy, Pete, and my girls had accepted him without too much grumpiness. He was still a little jumpy with me at times, but was otherwise very relaxed and affectionate. Maybe he knew it's where he belongs?
I've been very tempted over the years to keep a few of my fosters, but always stuck to my limit of four permanent cats for space and financial reasons and so I can continue to foster. I'm just about ready to give in with Louie, but am not quite there yet. Living on a nun budget, I'm still not in the position to responsibly for a fifth cat, but the rescue has offered to help with any vet care Louie may need, so he would remain with me as a permanent foster. That leaves the space concerns. As many of you know, I've a got apartment - the size of small house - with a spare bedroom I used to foster. If Louie becomes a permanent foster, though, I'll need that space for him and my own crew (extra litter box, etc...) and will likely no longer be to other cats/kittens in need. That's what's really making the decision so hard, especially just as kitten season is getting into full swing. There's such a need for foster homes and so few people willing to foster.
Any thoughts, suggestions, vibes that I can make the best decision for Louie, etc...would be appreciated. Like I said, there's been a few cases I've almost given in and become a foster failure, but never like this. Then there's the fact that I've always wanted a big, sweet, goofy, black male cat and Louie is named for my dad (Louis, who died May 12, 2010). Wish I could just give in, but still not convinced it's the right decision.
Unfortunately, Louie hasn't done well at his other foster home. In spite of his foster's vast cat experience, patience and love, he spends most of his time hiding and doesn't seem interested in contact with her. At my house, he was one of the gang, had become good buddies with my guy, Pete, and my girls had accepted him without too much grumpiness. He was still a little jumpy with me at times, but was otherwise very relaxed and affectionate. Maybe he knew it's where he belongs?
I've been very tempted over the years to keep a few of my fosters, but always stuck to my limit of four permanent cats for space and financial reasons and so I can continue to foster. I'm just about ready to give in with Louie, but am not quite there yet. Living on a nun budget, I'm still not in the position to responsibly for a fifth cat, but the rescue has offered to help with any vet care Louie may need, so he would remain with me as a permanent foster. That leaves the space concerns. As many of you know, I've a got apartment - the size of small house - with a spare bedroom I used to foster. If Louie becomes a permanent foster, though, I'll need that space for him and my own crew (extra litter box, etc...) and will likely no longer be to other cats/kittens in need. That's what's really making the decision so hard, especially just as kitten season is getting into full swing. There's such a need for foster homes and so few people willing to foster.
Any thoughts, suggestions, vibes that I can make the best decision for Louie, etc...would be appreciated. Like I said, there's been a few cases I've almost given in and become a foster failure, but never like this. Then there's the fact that I've always wanted a big, sweet, goofy, black male cat and Louie is named for my dad (Louis, who died May 12, 2010). Wish I could just give in, but still not convinced it's the right decision.
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