Cat update!

Hi, all!

I just got word that Easton got adopted! Yay! He's my first official one, that I've received word of.

Currently, I have Poseidon and Plato, two kittens that I think are from different litters. One of them isn't eating so much, so he's headed to the vet tomorrow morning, to get his eating habits back up to where they need to be. Plato eats anything I put down, with a little help from the KMR formula I have been mixing in. Here is a photo of the babies I currently have.

Plato is a little larger than Poseidon. As a side note, it's worth mentioning that as a new foster, I've learned somuch in such a short time. Since I started during kitten season, that means there is a giant need for homes for kittens. I've realized over the past couple weeks that if you're dealing with kittens, no case is ever the same. Eleanor and Evelyn were under-socialized and Poseidon now has some food issues. I'm realizing very quickly that nothing is ever set in stone, each situation is different, and as a foster you have to learn to expect anything. Nothing is ever routine, and I think that's the hardest part of fostering that I've had to come to terms with. I guess if you're looking to do this, make sure you're giving it plenty of time before and after your work schedule. I get up at 7 a.m., and don't leave work until about 9 a.m., just because everything always takes longer than expected.

I often feel easily discouraged, rather quickly, especially with the less time I allow myself (especially in the morning) before work. I can't stress enough that when you think something will only take 30 minutes, it might take an hour. I didn't expect that I'd have to feed Poseidon with a spoon, then get kitten formula, and now, I'll have to feed him in the bathroom, so that there are no other distractions. And all the while, I keep having to remind myself that this is a process, that takes time to learn, like how a kitchen is too big for two tiny kittens, or how blocking off the radiator, so that they can't crawl under it, is something that likely will save me eons of time, in an attempt to avoid having to get them out.

So for now, I guess I'll keep repeating to myself: patience and time, as that is what is needed to be successful as a foster, and that nothing is ever routine. I guess I got what I wanted, when I wanted something that would keep me busy, because I sure got just that!

The "Cat"astrophe of Easton, Evelyn, and Eleanor

In the several weeks that I've been fostering cats, here are some of the things I learned, that no one told me.

     1: Liquid doxcycline is a godsend. It comes in powder form, but you shouldn't HAVE to crush it if you're new to fostering.

     2: Feral cats are different than "just regular" kittens. The last bunch of cats I had, had been accustomed to some sort of human contact. The ones I have now, ehhhh--2 out of 3 have not. I didn't know this going in and have had a very difficult time socializing the two girls I have. People keep telling me to give it up, that this isn't for me, that I should find something else, but if I do that, cats without homes have one less place to go. So, I'm not giving up.

     3: I wish someone told me that it might be easier to handle ferals if I have a large metal cage. This is also information that I just found. Maybe I won't time before these ones go back to PAWS (Friday, at the request of PAWS, if they're healthy), but I am definitely going to invest in one of those.

     I am not experienced with feral cats, so socializing them has been a challenge every day. At night, i go home to feed the cats, also giving myself time to unwind, and then spend at least an hour and a half throwing treats across the floor and playing with the kittens.  The funny part is, Easton always runs to the treat before the girls can get to it. I think we'll be doing 1 on 1 playtime tonight. I'm learning very quickly that this is all a complete learning process for us all.