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Fostering cats?

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Has anyone ever fostered cats for cat welfare charities? I recently lost my last cat 21 years the last of a family of five, mum, dad, three kids! Im not ready on a long term commitment as my cats all lived to a good age with the help of care and lots of medication. This has tied us down to only being able to leave the house for 24 hours at a time for several years.
I wondered about fostering as I miss having cats around. Has anyone any experience of this?
Thanks
svc
SCP # 034
The £1000 emergency fund #59

Comments

  • ljonski
    ljonski Posts: 3,337 Forumite
    Here is a 20 yr old cat in desparate need of a home!
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5287545
    "if the state cannot find within itself a place for those who peacefully refuse to worship at its temples, then it’s the state that’s become extreme".Revd Dr Giles Fraser on Radio 4 2017
  • Lil_Me_2
    Lil_Me_2 Posts: 2,664 Forumite
    I'm just in the process of signing up to foster cats. I don't live in the best environment for a long term cat as I'm in a 1 bed flat with only a communal garden, so this seemed like the perfect answer. I've got my home check tomorrow.
  • chez22
    chez22 Posts: 3,327 Forumite
    I've fostered cats for Blue Cross for 6 years. All animal charities are desperate for fosterers at the moment as the amount of cats needing rescue is at an all time high, so if you decide to go ahead you will be much appreciated.
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam
  • WeAreGhosts
    WeAreGhosts Posts: 3,111 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I thought about fostering, but when I asked about it the charity said I needed a room in the house that can be used solely for the cats.
    I said I have a room that I barely use ... but that wasn't good enough.
    Made me wonder many people really have a whole room in the house that they never venture in to

    Hope you have better luck than me.
  • paddypaws101
    paddypaws101 Posts: 2,093 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 18 July 2015 at 6:40PM
    I thought about fostering, but when I asked about it the charity said I needed a room in the house that can be used solely for the cats.
    I said I have a room that I barely use ... but that wasn't good enough.
    Made me wonder many people really have a whole room in the house that they never venture in to

    Hope you have better luck than me.
    You should ask around a few more charities, and maybe word your response differently if they ask the same question.;)
    I have fostered several times and it can be a wonderful experience.
    my problem is that most of my fosters end up staying.:rotfl:

    svc......having nursed various elderly cats I can understand the limitations you dealt with. Fostering would be a great way to get some cat company....and the chances are you will end up meeting the next feline overlord of the house who gets to stay permanently.
  • I've fostered kittens short term before - basically until they find homes, which is never longer than a few weeks. Also done holiday cover for other fosterers. I have 4 cats & a dog of my own so only do short term and keep fosters totally separate from my pets in my spare bedroom. I don't feel able to do more than a few weeks at a time or I'm at risk of not giving my own pets enough time.

    Usually small, independent rescues are crying out for foster homes! I know my local rescue is!
  • gettingready
    gettingready Posts: 11,330 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    ljonski wrote: »
    Here is a 20 yr old cat in desparate need of a home!
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5287545


    Hope this poor boy finds a home before the owners do something stupid for their own convenience :(
  • I took in a cat from a local organization and am happy I did it. My wife, who previously hated cats has come to love our adopted cat. The "24 hours" thing seems suspicious to me. We leave for up 4 days at a time and our cat is fine (needless to say we leave plenty of food out for her).
  • so_very_confused
    so_very_confused Posts: 1,081 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper PPI Party Pooper
    edited 19 July 2015 at 8:41AM
    I took in a cat from a local organization and am happy I did it. My wife, who previously hated cats has come to love our adopted cat. The "24 hours" thing seems suspicious to me. We leave for up 4 days at a time and our cat is fine (needless to say we leave plenty of food out for her).

    Nothing suspicious when you have elderly cats who need four different kinds of medication every 24 hours ( sometimes more frequently if poorly) but given this are able to lead a happy pain free life.
    Due to being feral kittens would only take their medication from me although happy home cats in every other way.
    SCP # 034
    The £1000 emergency fund #59
  • Lil_Me_2
    Lil_Me_2 Posts: 2,664 Forumite
    I thought about fostering, but when I asked about it the charity said I needed a room in the house that can be used solely for the cats.
    I said I have a room that I barely use ... but that wasn't good enough.
    Made me wonder many people really have a whole room in the house that they never venture in to

    Hope you have better luck than me.

    Rubbish! I'm in a one bed flat and they're happy for me to foster. At least I've passed the home check aspect anyway. Waiting for a phone call to go through the next steps, they aren't the most organised of charities if I'm honest!
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