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Fostering
cats and kittens is a very rewarding experience
Seeing a very timid, bedraggled creature go to it's
new home looking sleek, healthy and happy is quite a
buzz.
Without foster
homes, many cats wouldn't have the second, or third, chance
that they deserve. So many lovely cats already end up,
abandoned on the street, sick, hungry, homeless, or in
shelters where their fate is very uncertain. We take on
some of these needy cats and take them into our care. |
Will
I have to pay for cat food, litter and vet bills?
No. Cat food and litter can be supplied
and if required, all vet bills will be paid for
by the branch. |
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Are
all foster cats feral?
No. The majority of the cats/kittens
which come into our care have had a pretty rough
time of it
BUT most of them, despite the raw deal fate seems
to have dealt them, will be friendly, loving,
very grateful for our care and no bother at all.
A few will be timid, perhaps hissing and spitting
whenever you approach but calm down as they
get to know you. A few will be indeed ex-feral
cats but these also vary in the degree of 'wildness':
these cats are reserved for our experienced
foster carers.
If you are new to fostering, we will not provide
you with a hissing, spitting, whirling dervish
and tell you to get on with it!
We match the cats available to the experience
of the foster carer, and for your first experience
we will look for the friendliest needy cat around.
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Are
all foster cats problem cats?
No. Most cats come to us through no fault of their
own.
Common reasons are:-
Owners have died or gone into care and relatives
do not wish to keep the cat/cats involved.
Child allergy, divorce, change of circumstances
etc. force the owner to give up their cat.
Lost cats where it has been not possible to find
their owner.
Pregnant cats who are thrown out of their homes.
Sick cats. Owners can not or will not pay for veterinary
care.
Kittens who face destruction. |
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Is
it a lot of hard work?
Fostering
is not without work but it is the same as for
any pet; you have to give love, attention and
care to your foster cat just as you would your
own. Through it though, you get the satisfaction
of knowing that you are doing your part to help
your community, and to help innocent and needy
cats.
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Will I get very attached to my foster cat?
"Oh, I don't think I could foster. I just couldn't
bear to part with any of them, once I have their
cute, furry little bodies in my house/my arms/my
life."
This sentiment is a frequent response when we ask
people whether they would be willing to foster cats
for us. It is an honest and valid statement. No
matter how long you foster, or how many cats come
and go through your loving arms and your wonderful
home, there are always times when it is hard to
part with a foster cat. But, for foster parents,
the parting is bittersweet; bitter because it is
a loss, which has to be dealt with, and sweet because
the cat they so loved found a loving and permanent
home. |
Are
foster cats all adults?
No. Especially during the summer we are
inundated with kittens requiring foster homes, until
we can find new owners for them. Kittens are sensitive
souls and do well in foster homes where they can
receive a lot of attention and can learn the social
skills necessary to become a happy, friendly, well-adjusted
adult.
Kitten pens are available. These small pens are
suitable for keeping a kitten in your house.
Kittens can get up to a lot of mischief and the
pen keeps them safe, when you are not available
to keep an eye on them.
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How
long will I foster a cat?
This is very variable
from a few days to a few months depending on the
cat, the circumstances and whether we can find a
suitable home. If you can only foster for a set
length of time, that is no problem, we can easily
arrange for your foster cat to go to one of our
other carers. We are very grateful for any help,
even if it is only for a short time.
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| If you think you could give a temporary
home to a cat/kitten and you live in the North East of
Scotland please contact one of the following :- |
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