View Full Version : Tips for new foster please
Booktigger
19-10-2006, 07:45 AM
WAs at the rescue last week taking pics (and determined not to come home with any), and it made me want to stop having a break, but rather than the 3yo the rescue expected me to take, I will be picking the 15 week old very shy cat up. She needs some one on one socialisation, she has no chance of a home at the moment, as she just hides all the time - although I did get her playing. I have my Messybeast article, but some tips might help as well. Here are a couple of pics, I think she looks a bit small for her age, but could be wrong.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b45/booktigger/shadow2.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b45/booktigger/shadow.jpg
Elaine
19-10-2006, 08:05 PM
Aww bless, she looks so sweet. If she is very nervous and stressed, how about some brewers yeast, either tablets or powder, provided she is not prone to any urinary tract infections that is. Its full of B vits and a stressed/nervous cat will use up loads of B vits.
Maybe some feliway?
Booktigger
19-10-2006, 08:15 PM
Cheers Elaine - I still have those tabs you sent me, so shall use the pill crusher on them - someone might finally eat them!!
Booktigger
20-10-2006, 09:54 PM
WEll, she is here. No photos though, as the poor little mite is still hiding in the carrier (luckily that fit in the cage, so I might take the blanket out and just leave hte carrier), so I thought I would come upstairs so I could make the room quiet and dark for her - she has toys, catnip, food (with RR)and water. I did get a quick stroke though, as one of the other cats pinched the carrier!! She does allow it, but looks very scared, so I only did it as I had to hold her while the rescue took the other cat out of the carrier. They did come in off the streets, but doesn't act like a feral, and her siblings are both confident cats now. Hopefully I will be able to win her round - the rescue did say that if I am good at it, I might be getting a few next year!! They also wanted me to take on a 10 year old, but I said that I need to devote time to her.
dandysmom
20-10-2006, 10:04 PM
Poor little mite looks so scared,,,so glad you took her; she couldn't have gone to a better place than with you! Please keep us posted......
Booktigger
20-10-2006, 10:10 PM
she was, bless her. I only saw her about 3 times, and I was there for a couple of hours. Hopefully without manic kittens she will be a lot better. I do hope she is in a good place, I havent done anything like this before, so am nervous!!!
BT - I think, from all your caring posts that you have a natural affinity with these poor homeless cats and I'm certain that you will excel at socialising this and other nervous cats . . . I look forward to reading of your progress :)
Booktigger
20-10-2006, 10:25 PM
Thanks, that really does mean a lot. She is my 19th foster, i have been doing it for 2 years and 3 months. I know people who have done more in that timespan, but i do seem to keep ending up with long termers, and I do work full time as well, but I am proud of the ones I have helped, esp the two that I picked up off the street, they would have still been there otherwise, and now both are in wonderful homes. I mustn't have done too bad a job on the shy/timid adult I fostered, he went to a new home after 5 months, and has done really well in his new home, she can do loads of stuff with him - he would have been released into a working environment if I hadn't taken him.
dandysmom
21-10-2006, 01:57 AM
Yola said it very well; you are doing wonders with these cats; I do respect you so much for it. Does the shy little back girl have a name?
Booktigger
21-10-2006, 10:12 AM
Thanks!! Her name is Shadow!!
Not a particularly good night though - I thought I heard her crying a couple of times, but wasnt sure as I play music all night, and when I went down she was quiet. When I went to feed her though, she had got litter on top of the carrier, in the food and water, all over the bed, food all over the bed and a biscuit on top of hte carrier!! So I think she was a bit stressed - the cage was completely covered last night, so have left it partly covered now, and moved things inside it to see if that helps - I might sleep downstairs tonight, or leave a nightlight on. The rescue say i should take the carrier off her as soon as possible so she cant hide from me, but I feel a bit cruel doing that, I would prefer something where she feels secure but can still see me - just can't think of anything I have, unless the wigwam bed will fit in - must try that!!
alexgirl73
21-10-2006, 02:00 PM
Love the name BT. I'm so glad that this little one has come to you, can't think of anyone better. I'm sure she'll soon be bounding about quite happily under your care. Looking froward to seeing more pics and being kept updated on her progress.
Booktigger
21-10-2006, 05:43 PM
The rescue picked her name. I Can think of loads of people with more experience than me, but we can't really farm her off to a different rescue, so she is stuck with me. Has been a good day though, she has come out of the carrier!! I was on the phone to the rescue, and was trying to get Molly to play, and as mine have bells on their collars, she could hear her, and peeked out. She ended up coming out completely and sitting looking at her, but then Molly spotted her and growled and spat, despite being the other side of the room!!! She didn't really bother with the scratch post, and she was too close to the carrier and I was too far away to risk trying to take it out - at this rate I will be pulling it apart so she can't hide as much!! they have treats for tea though!! Tiger really isn't happy with the cage, she is back to being spitty and lashing out, and is spending most of her time in the cat room, bless her.
Booktigger
22-10-2006, 11:47 AM
Another bad night with her - when the lights go off, she starts crying, bless her. I managed to get the carrier out of the cage last night which could have made her worse. Ended up going sleeping on the front room floor at 4am to see if it helped, but it didn't really. Tried covering the cage completely, uncovering the cage, night light, and nothing seems to work with her. Left her at 8am to go back to bed, and when I Woke up at 10, she was quiet - but by the time I had got downstairs to feed her she wasn't. So I was really naughty and put my hand in and stroked her to see if that helped any, which it didn't, but she did allow it without trying to run away. Am going to see if my sis has a spare bedside light, to see if that helps, as I Can't leave my front room light on due to an open plan house. If anyone has any other tips, please share!!
Booktigger
22-10-2006, 05:15 PM
After I finished on here, I went and gave her another stroke - she doesn't seem to enjoy it, but as long as she is on the platform of the activity thing, she will accept it. Then I noticed she hadn't eaten much, so I hand fed her some ham. I think that as she is allowing fusses and eating from me so quickly, a lot of the work has already been done while she is in the rescue, so it shouldn't be that hard to just do that final bit with her. She really hates being on her own though, makes me wonder what she was like when she was left in the cattery. Have managed to get some pics of her - as you can see from one of htem, she now has some cuddly things in there - she has very briefly patted one of them,the one she has her chin on in the other pic.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b45/booktigger/platform.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b45/booktigger/box.jpg
alexgirl73
22-10-2006, 05:19 PM
Oh BT what a sweetie she is. Har dto know what to do with her though. Have you tried putting a piece of your worn clothing in with her to get her used to your scent? Or what about a cuddly toy to snuggle up to! I know Teddy really liked that when we brought him home and he had to be quarantined in the kitchen. Don't know what else to suggest.
dinahsmum
22-10-2006, 05:27 PM
Do you think that a radio playing quietly on a speech station (BBC Radio4?) might help her get used to humans a little? When you're not with her maybe?
Booktigger
22-10-2006, 06:29 PM
Haven't thought of a piece of clothing yet, will wear an old nightie tonight and pop that in tomorrow. DM - there is a radio playing all the time - I found Radio 4 at some point today, but we seem to be on 5 Live now!! it picks up a signal fine in my cat room, but not in the front room.
I have been really naughty tonight though, someone who does rescue assured me that if she would allow fussing to do it - when I went to give her her tea, I actually picked her up, and laid on the floor to put her on my chest/stomach, she was more curious about the rest of the room, but I did get her purring!! it made me realise just how thin she is though, her hips, spine and ribs are quite bony, so I have added cat milk to her wet food and water, and will be giving her lots of titbits - have ham and NAture's menu treats at the moment.
alexgirl73
22-10-2006, 06:48 PM
i dont think that counts as being naughty, the poor wee thing obviously needs some comfort, and thats all you were doing.
Booktigger
22-10-2006, 07:00 PM
WEll, it isn't following any of the normal rules for socialising kittens - but then she isn't feral - she was born in the wild, but has been with us since the end of August, and has been around cats and humans, so this is really just the final part, with a lot of one on one interaction. She doesn't seem to really know how to play, and doesn't have a big appetite. It really is sad seeing such tiny kittens not doing normal things - when I was at the rescue, we had 4 manic 9 week olds, and she just looked surprised when they were running round and tried to get her involved.
dandysmom
22-10-2006, 07:56 PM
You're going with your heart, not the rule book, and sounds as if it's working to me...poor wee thing just isn't used to cuddling and loving. Sure she'll adjust just fine with your regimen!
Booktigger
22-10-2006, 08:41 PM
Yep, certainly am!! Just dont want to be doing too much too soon. She doesn't particularly ask for fusses, and sometimes does try to move, but then seems to resign herself to it - but she does get treats for it, so hopefully she will realise that it is a good thing, and as she is so thin, the treats are also good for her.
Booktigger
23-10-2006, 07:58 AM
i did the right thing yesterday - she wasn't keen when I fussed her on the platform, and she wouldn't stop crying when I came up to feed the others, so I went back down, took her out and gave her a cuddle and talking to, and after that, she started pushing against my finger when I put it through the bar, and I have just had her kneading the blanket and positioning her body for more of a fuss - she still cries pitifully when left though, I need to try and work on that.
ellenlouise
23-10-2006, 03:26 PM
Sounds like you are doing a wonderful job and so rewarding I think little Shadow is very lucky to have you.
alexgirl73
23-10-2006, 03:42 PM
Well, at least its a little bit of progress BT, better than none at all.
It's a slow process. And best to to rush it . . . more harm can be done by trying to force socialisation on a cat. Let them set the pace.
Booktigger
24-10-2006, 01:39 PM
She is making excellent progress, I am glad I actually stroked and cuddled her, as she loves it now - she does prefer fussing my head to my hand though, and the only prob is she gets so carried away she nearly falls off the platform!! She hasn't cried so much last night though, which is good, and as she is still actively butting me for attention, she is going to get some time out of the cage tonight, but only on a small part of the floor. She wants to be with the big girls, but isn't allowed just yet. Her eating still isn't very good though, i am running out of things to give her!!
Booktigger
26-10-2006, 10:55 PM
she is playing more now, doesn't cry when she is left (I think she realises that I will be coming back), loves nuzzling me - but only my head, and went to the vets today for a worming tablet - she was fine with the vet holding her, and being looked at. Everyone expressed surprise at me having a kitten as a foster, dont know why - only 7 of the 19 fosters have been oldies!! But, I was right at her being small, looks wise, they say she looks like a 3mo, but her teeth look more like 14weeks plus - when I got the calendar out, i make her to be 17 weeks with the dates the rescue gave me. She still isn't eating a lot, but the vet says that when the wormer kicks in, her diarrhea will stop and she will start eating more - I do hope so!! I bought her some different kitten biscuits today, slightly better quality than Whiskas.
alexgirl73
27-10-2006, 08:42 PM
Great to hear progress is being made. I think this is going to turn out to be a major success story BT.
dandysmom
27-10-2006, 09:00 PM
The news is getting better! I think little Shadow is really improving with your TLC, bless her! :D
dinahsmum
28-10-2006, 11:07 AM
Lovely to hear of this progress!
Pleased to hear its going in the right direction.:)
Patience is paying off BT!
Booktigger
28-10-2006, 12:13 PM
Things are still going well. She has had a couple of times out of her cage - she met PEbbles this morning, and they had a couple of nose sniffs (no camera to hand sadly), but she wont allow me to touch her when she is out of hte cage, and gets a bit confused as to how to get back in it, so I think it is too early to do it too much. She only seems to care if I either have food or if she sees a cat though. She is eating more now as well, both kitten supermeat and kitten in gravy - must get her some in jelly. plus I got her some PErfect Fit kitten biscuits to go with the Whiskas ones. She has been a very easy kitten to socialise though, she has never been hissy spitty, not even as a 9 week old. She does prefer fusses from faces than hands though, which is a bit odd, but i do pander to it!! I need to put her on our rehoming page now, to try and find an owner for as soon as she is ready.
Booktigger
29-10-2006, 01:04 PM
More pics - first taken about Wed, second yesterday.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b45/booktigger/withfeather.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b45/booktigger/havingafuss.jpg
alexgirl73
29-10-2006, 02:17 PM
BT, shes lovely! I'm glad to see you are making such good progress.
She's cute and looks as though she is enjoying the attention....even if it is only allowed when she is in her cage.......
Booktigger
29-10-2006, 03:26 PM
She does love her fusses, even if she is a bit odd about them - she much prefers attention when I put my head in the cage rather than my hand!! WE had a fab play session as well last night, it is good to see her acting like a kitten. Just a bit sad when she comes out, as she seems really confused, and always tries to get back in at the back of the cage!! But, she has only been here a week and 2 days, so still very early days.
dinahsmum
30-10-2006, 10:42 AM
Would she get a bit more confident of hands if you pop on a glove or mitten to play with her? She could get used to the movements etc, without seeing it as a 'nasty hand'. You could discard it later as she gets confidence.
Do you think she has been mistreated?
Booktigger
30-10-2006, 11:13 AM
That might be worth trying with her. Not sure about mistreated, she was brought in with her siblings around 9 weeks of age. Still not got proper poos, but no dehydration, so I am wondering if it is the kitten food, so have mixed adult wet with her brekkie this morning - she wolfed it!! It is good to see her wolfing food that I haven't had to mash up and add water too first!!
I also had a bit of a panic last night as I realised I had no idea when she would be ready enough for a new home - although the fact that she panics when she is out of the cage means it is nowhere near time to worry about that. My friend thought she would be better homed earlier to someone who would help her come round, but if she had access to a full room, she would be in hiding again, she did try and get behind the TV last night, so I had to try and retreive her. Can't see many prospective owners willing to have a cage in their front room as a safe place for her!!
Booktigger
05-11-2006, 11:18 AM
She loves fusses now, but prefers fusses from heads rather than hands, although likes being cuddled, and will nuzzle my face and knead my arm, bless her. Still occasionally jumps on the platform when I approach the cage though. She has turned into a very playful kitten, which is good!! Since getting her kitten food in jelly rather than the food in gravy the rescue provided, her poos have been more normal (although still soft - is that normal for 4month olds??). She is happy to play in the cage until she sees one of the 'big girls' and then she is out going saying hello - but both PEbbles and Molly have spat at her this week, they probably wondered what on earth this little miaowing thing was, bet they dont remember being that small!! I did struggle getting her back in the cage at weekend though, she will play with me, and look at me when I call her name, but she wont let me touch her, so I have to try and entice her back in, but yesterday she was really enjoying herself. Will try and take some more pics this weekend. I am happy with teh progress we are making, even if I am not 100% how to get her more used to strokes, and I have no idea how to tell when she will be ready for rehoming!! We have just had a good time though, i made her have fusses from my hand rather than my head, and after a couple of minutes, she jumped off the platform, came out of the cage and climbed on my knee!! So we had a wonderful fuss, including her licking my lips!! She loves nuzzling my face for some unknown reason!!
It's good to hear progress is being made..... :D
Booktigger
05-11-2006, 02:47 PM
Couple more pics - she was too interested in grabbing the camera strap than staying still though!!
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b45/booktigger/2weeks.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b45/booktigger/platformafter2weeks.jpg
Booktigger
10-11-2006, 01:49 PM
Shadow is still doing well, she is now allowed out of the cage when I Am not in the room (although I am still in the house and awake, dont trust her that much yet!!). She loves it, and is a typical hyper kitten - pics to follow this eve. I still can't touch her when she is out playing though, and not sure if it is normal kittne behaviour with how skittish she is when I enter the room. Although I can lie on the floor, and she will play with me and eat off my hand. She does like fusses though, she is very affectionate in the cage, and when I first pick her up for cuddles, she purrs away and nuzzles my face.
alexgirl73
10-11-2006, 04:35 PM
Wow, what a difference you've made with her BT. It is great to hear that she is actually being a kitten.
Booktigger
10-11-2006, 10:48 PM
I know, it is wonderful!! She is very hyper now, but it is so funny watching her, and to be honest, she doesn't need someone interacting with her, she finds lots of toys, including things that aren't really toys!! She still looks small to me, I make her 19 weeks now. Pics as promised
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b45/booktigger/tickler.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b45/booktigger/eyeingup.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b45/booktigger/tiredout.jpg
Elaine
10-11-2006, 11:17 PM
She is just gorgous Des xxx
Booktigger
19-11-2006, 04:19 PM
Well, after a conversation with someone on another forum, I have decided to put her in the cat room, and move the cage so Tiger will feel fine in the front room. This way, she has more room to play, and there are less hiding places, so I might be able to make more progress on her having fusses. Just got to get her used to going back in there and keeping Tiger out now!!
alexgirl73
19-11-2006, 07:23 PM
That sounds great BT. It is amazing the progress she has made.
Booktigger
19-11-2006, 09:23 PM
IT is - the rescue knew that she didn't need that much more, I just have to do something about her running away from me so much, but she has only been here a month, and I get snuggles a few times a day, which is good to say she woudln't let anyone touch her before she came. She is a little wriggler when you try and catch her though!!
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