Need advice on my fostering kittens.

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xAlphaStarOmegax 2 Nov @ 11:46am

I have a few adult cats of my own, but I occasionally take in and foster kittens. Well, a few days ago, I rescued these five kittens from living in the cold beneath a porch. They were rehoming them at 6 weeks, which is unacceptable because you should wait at least 8 weeks, preferably 12 weeks, but they did not want them. Nobody took them in, and by the time I saw them, they were about 7 weeks old. They will be eight weeks old around November 7th. Well, I have placed an ad stating that they will be ready by that date.

I first advertised a bonded boy and girl because kittens should not be rehomed alone due to "single kitten syndrome," and I have had a few people text me about it, but they always just want the female. They will either say they are very interested before disappearing, or they will disappear after learning that I do not want to rehome them alone; I want them to go in pairs. The fifth one will have to stay with me and the other cats.

I have legitimately socialized and litter trained them, and even got them to eat kitty kibble; the poor things had never been inside, so yeah. I spoil them with lots of love and toys. And I did say I would send them off with a goodie bag full of food and toys.

I guess my question is, is it really that unreasonable to want to do the right thing by rehoming them in pairs? Even most shelters will not adopt out a single kitten; they frequently have a two-kitten policy. I know many people do not care and would gladly rehome just one, but I do care.

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Showing 1-11 of 11 comments

salamander 2 Nov @ 11:51am

Originally posted by xAlphaStarOmegax:
I guess my question is, is it really that unreasonable to want to do the right thing by rehoming them in pairs? Even most shelters will not adopt out a single kitten; they frequently have a two-kitten policy. I know many people do not care and would gladly rehome just one, but I do care.

nope, it is now commonly agreed and understood that the many stereotypes of cats being aloof and independent are greatly exaggerated. cats are highly social and require frequent socialisation and stimulation for optimum mental and physical health, and not just from humans, but other cats as well.

many shelters will no longer adopt out cats (especially kittens) by themselves unless they are special cases, and will push very hard for cats to be adopted in pairs. you are doing the right thing by attempting to set them up in pairs, and i hope you will find kind peoples who understand why.

Vinz Clortho 2 Nov @ 11:52am

Cats are misunderstood a lot of people think they are like an automaton it just eats and sleeps then does what it wants it doesn't care about other beings. It's not true at all they are extremely intuitive and affectionate, but they need more patience and understanding than a dog. Dogs are idiots they need to be led, but earning the affection of a cat is far more rewarding to me.

No personally I don't think you are being unreasonable. You want the best for them right from the start and it's understandable since you invested so much in them already. Hold off for somebody who truly wants them or give them to a shelter you trust who might have more resources and team knowledge to help find them suitable homes.

< blank > 2 Nov @ 11:56am

People that say that they only want the female are backyard breeders and should be blacklisted but at least they are not trying to inbreed, which some will do in order to create "toy" kittens which are unhealthy but worth x10 more for some messed up reason. You will know them especially if they say they only want a female and they will ask if she is spayed, then you know for a fact they are a backyard breeder.

There are some people, however, whom are looking for an intact mate for their already established pet and this is where it gets complex because those people should not be denied but you have to make sure the animals get along so a play date is usually suitable.

Last edited by < blank >; 2 Nov @ 12:00pm

xAlphaStarOmegax 2 Nov @ 12:04pm

Originally posted by salamander:
Originally posted by xAlphaStarOmegax:
I guess my question is, is it really that unreasonable to want to do the right thing by rehoming them in pairs? Even most shelters will not adopt out a single kitten; they frequently have a two-kitten policy. I know many people do not care and would gladly rehome just one, but I do care.

nope, it is now commonly agreed and understood that the many stereotypes of cats being aloof and independent are greatly exaggerated. cats are highly social and require frequent socialisation and stimulation for optimum mental and physical health, and not just from humans, but other cats as well.

many shelters will no longer adopt out cats (especially kittens) by themselves unless they are special cases, and will push very hard for cats to be adopted in pairs. you are doing the right thing by attempting to set them up in pairs, and i hope you will find kind peoples who understand why.

Stereotyping like this is why people force cats to live solitary lives. We humans, as well as they, need companionship.

Many people want kittens because they are "cute," but they do not realize how much work they are compared to an adult cat and how they are best in pairs, not only for themselves but also for those who take them in.

xAlphaStarOmegax 2 Nov @ 12:07pm

Originally posted by Vinz Clortho:
Cats are misunderstood a lot of people think they are like an automaton it just eats and sleeps then does what it wants it doesn't care about other beings. It's not true at all they are extremely intuitive and affectionate, but they need more patience and understanding than a dog. Dogs are idiots they need to be led, but earning the affection of a cat is far more rewarding to me.

No personally I don't think you are being unreasonable. You want the best for them right from the start and it's understandable since you invested so much in them already. Hold off for somebody who truly wants them or give them to a shelter you trust who might have more resources and team knowledge to help find them suitable homes.

Thank you for your comment and support. I will wait for the right owner to love them as much as I have.

Originally posted by < blank >:
People that say that they only want the female are backyard breeders and should be blacklisted but at least they are not trying to inbreed, which some will do in order to create "toy" kittens which are unhealthy but worth x10 more for some messed up reason. You will know them especially if they say they only want a female and they will ask if she is spayed, then you know for a fact they are a backyard breeder.

There are some people, however, whom are looking for an intact mate for their already established pet and this is where it gets complex because those people should not be denied but you have to make sure the animals get along so a play date is usually suitable.

Yeah, the fact that they only want the girl worries me. I would fix them, but it would cost around $200 per cat. I did find a place that can in late November for around $25 each, but I need to see if I will be accepted. I wish more places offered spaying and neutering at reasonable prices. I want to continue fostering.

xAlphaStarOmegax 2 Nov @ 1:36pm

Update:

One who asked if I would separate them never responded when I explained why I did not feel comfortable doing so. I even sent a follow-up text to see if they were still interested, and I received no response. Then I sent a follow-up text to someone else who appeared to be interested, but they said they no longer were because they did not want to wait until they were 8 weeks old; they only have to wait a few more days... I can tell finding them homes will be a nightmare.

Rain't 2 Nov @ 1:43pm

Originally posted by xAlphaStarOmegax:
I have a few adult cats of my own, but I occasionally take in and foster kittens. Well, a few days ago, I rescued these five kittens from living in the cold beneath a porch. They were rehoming them at 6 weeks, which is unacceptable because you should wait at least 8 weeks, preferably 12 weeks, but they did not want them. Nobody took them in, and by the time I saw them, they were about 7 weeks old. They will be eight weeks old around November 7th. Well, I have placed an ad stating that they will be ready by that date.

I first advertised a bonded boy and girl because kittens should not be rehomed alone due to "single kitten syndrome," and I have had a few people text me about it, but they always just want the female. They will either say they are very interested before disappearing, or they will disappear after learning that I do not want to rehome them alone; I want them to go in pairs. The fifth one will have to stay with me and the other cats.

I have legitimately socialized and litter trained them, and even got them to eat kitty kibble; the poor things had never been inside, so yeah. I spoil them with lots of love and toys. And I did say I would send them off with a goodie bag full of food and toys.

I guess my question is, is it really that unreasonable to want to do the right thing by rehoming them in pairs? Even most shelters will not adopt out a single kitten; they frequently have a two-kitten policy. I know many people do not care and would gladly rehome just one, but I do care.

I think it's probably indicative of financial stress rather than morals. Twice the cats is twice the litter, twice the vet bills, twice the food, twice the toys, et cetera. It's twice the money

You either have to be patient, take care of them yourself, or be comfortable giving them to a shelter which is likely already overrun

As a rescuer myself, the best outcome for them is probably housing them yourself. Unfortunately, that rarely aligns with the beset outcome for the owner. Maybe try door-to-door in wealthy neighbourhoods if all else fails

Corvus XIII 2 Nov @ 1:47pm

Originally posted by xAlphaStarOmegax:

I guess my question is, is it really that unreasonable to want to do the right thing by rehoming them in pairs? Even most shelters will not adopt out a single kitten; they frequently have a two-kitten policy. I know many people do not care and would gladly rehome just one, but I do care.

It is not unreasonable at all.
People should not try to make a demand of single if you have stated already they are to go in pairs.

Cats are intelligent and emotional creatures.
They are not fluffy walking toys.
Those kittens and cats are fortunate to have you caring for them and I hope the kittens go to a place with similar values as yourself.

Corvus XIII 2 Nov @ 1:48pm

Originally posted by xAlphaStarOmegax:
Update:
they did not want to wait until they were 8 weeks old; they only have to wait a few more days... I can tell finding them homes will be a nightmare.

Luckily they were not sent to that person then.

salamander 2 Nov @ 1:56pm

Originally posted by xAlphaStarOmegax:
Originally posted by salamander:

nope, it is now commonly agreed and understood that the many stereotypes of cats being aloof and independent are greatly exaggerated. cats are highly social and require frequent socialisation and stimulation for optimum mental and physical health, and not just from humans, but other cats as well.

many shelters will no longer adopt out cats (especially kittens) by themselves unless they are special cases, and will push very hard for cats to be adopted in pairs. you are doing the right thing by attempting to set them up in pairs, and i hope you will find kind peoples who understand why.

Stereotyping like this is why people force cats to live solitary lives. We humans, as well as they, need companionship.

Many people want kittens because they are "cute," but they do not realize how much work they are compared to an adult cat and how they are best in pairs, not only for themselves but also for those who take them in.

aye, the amount of work you will have is halved with two cats, not doubled. when you are too tired to play, cannot snuggle or give stimulation, the cats have one another. and in the case of kittens this is massively helpful, because they will play together most all the time.

i will never again get a single cat if i can help it, i will always ensure that i have at least 2 cats in my home at all times.

#10

xAlphaStarOmegax 2 Nov @ 2:09pm

Originally posted by Rain't:
Originally posted by xAlphaStarOmegax:
I have a few adult cats of my own, but I occasionally take in and foster kittens. Well, a few days ago, I rescued these five kittens from living in the cold beneath a porch. They were rehoming them at 6 weeks, which is unacceptable because you should wait at least 8 weeks, preferably 12 weeks, but they did not want them. Nobody took them in, and by the time I saw them, they were about 7 weeks old. They will be eight weeks old around November 7th. Well, I have placed an ad stating that they will be ready by that date.

I first advertised a bonded boy and girl because kittens should not be rehomed alone due to "single kitten syndrome," and I have had a few people text me about it, but they always just want the female. They will either say they are very interested before disappearing, or they will disappear after learning that I do not want to rehome them alone; I want them to go in pairs. The fifth one will have to stay with me and the other cats.

I have legitimately socialized and litter trained them, and even got them to eat kitty kibble; the poor things had never been inside, so yeah. I spoil them with lots of love and toys. And I did say I would send them off with a goodie bag full of food and toys.

I guess my question is, is it really that unreasonable to want to do the right thing by rehoming them in pairs? Even most shelters will not adopt out a single kitten; they frequently have a two-kitten policy. I know many people do not care and would gladly rehome just one, but I do care.

I think it's probably indicative of financial stress rather than morals. Twice the cats is twice the litter, twice the vet bills, twice the food, twice the toys, et cetera. It's twice the money

You either have to be patient, take care of them yourself, or be comfortable giving them to a shelter which is likely already overrun

As a rescuer myself, the best outcome for them is probably housing them yourself. Unfortunately, that rarely aligns with the beset outcome for the owner. Maybe try door-to-door in wealthy neighbourhoods if all else fails

I understand that it is twice the food, toys, vet bills, and so on, but I did state in the advertisement that I would provide toys and food to go.

As for keeping all five when I already have four of my own, I could not afford to fix all five for $200 each. My only hope is to get that low cost spay and neuter clinic to do it for $25 each and even then they have certain dates where they can do it. Also, I would go from having four full-time cats to nine, which would probably mean I could not foster any more kittens.

Originally posted by Corvus XIII:
Originally posted by xAlphaStarOmegax:

I guess my question is, is it really that unreasonable to want to do the right thing by rehoming them in pairs? Even most shelters will not adopt out a single kitten; they frequently have a two-kitten policy. I know many people do not care and would gladly rehome just one, but I do care.

It is not unreasonable at all.
People should not try to make a demand of single if you have stated already they are to go in pairs.

Cats are intelligent and emotional creatures.
They are not fluffy walking toys.
Those kittens and cats are fortunate to have you caring for them and I hope the kittens go to a place with similar values as yourself.

I appreciate that. Thank you.

Originally posted by Corvus XIII:
Originally posted by xAlphaStarOmegax:
Update:
they did not want to wait until they were 8 weeks old; they only have to wait a few more days... I can tell finding them homes will be a nightmare.

Luckily they were not sent to that person then.

Exactly. If they can not wait until the kittens are old enough, it means they do not see them as sentient beings, but rather as an object of some sort.

Originally posted by salamander:
Originally posted by xAlphaStarOmegax:

Stereotyping like this is why people force cats to live solitary lives. We humans, as well as they, need companionship.

Many people want kittens because they are "cute," but they do not realize how much work they are compared to an adult cat and how they are best in pairs, not only for themselves but also for those who take them in.

aye, the amount of work you will have is halved with two cats, not doubled. when you are too tired to play, cannot snuggle or give stimulation, the cats have one another. and in the case of kittens this is massively helpful, because they will play together most all the time.

i will never again get a single cat if i can help it, i will always ensure that i have at least 2 cats in my home at all times.

I agree, and I wish these people could understand. They all seem determined that I separate them, and I will not.

#11

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Date Posted: 2 Nov @ 11:46am

Posts: 11

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