Now we've done it - Signed up to be a cat foster family

[Generic Brad]

My wife and I have had two cats during our marriage. Our first was a sweet birman who lived 16 years. Our second was a chatty brown tabby who hung in there for 15 years, but she was very ill near the end and in great discomfort. My wife had to put her down last year while we were living in different states and has felt guilty about it since. She wants a cat, but cannot bear the idea of losing a long time friend again.

This week we have figured out a compromise. We discovered a foster home program for cats and signed up today. We will be hosting adult cats for one month at a time. The shelter provides everything - litter, food, vet services, toys, cat carrier. We get a new cat each month, help them socialize and never have to go through the trauma of loss. This is a win all the way around.

After our application is processed tonight, we get to pick up a foster cat tomorrow.

Has anyone out there ever been a pet foster family? Did you enjoy the experience?

[procon]

1. Countdown until you fall in love with an adorable fur baby and can't bear to give her up.

You know it's gonna happen... LOL!

[Sanity Claws]

2. Yes I've been a foster many times

and have done it in two different cities. I have never heard of the arrangement you mentioned, where you foster for one month and the cat moves on. In all of my situations, you foster the cat until it finds a permanent home.
As you know, some cats are more adoptable than others. I have had several successful adoptions and am happy that those cats found a good home. Many of the new cat families send photos and you can tell that they are happy together.

People tend not to adopt the elderly cats and so they end up in longterm foster cat. I used to joke that I ran the geriatric ward of this local rescue group. The geriatric one with me now came about two years ago. He is about 14 now and will stay with me until he passes away.

Before him, I had two elderly sisters for about four years. They died a few months apart at about age 15.

I have enjoyed the experience. I've learned a lot about cats but also about myself too.

[Best_man23]

3. We fostered two kittens once

We didn't have kitties at the time we fostered, and it turned out to be a good thing we didn't have other kitties. Both kittens were rescued ferals and both had nearly every parasite a kitty could have. Through several vet visits and medication, we nursed the kittens to health, socialized them, then turned them back when they were adopted.

[crazycatlady]

4. You forgot the one requirement for fostering kittehs

You must post pics.