Cat fostering for an indeterminate period?

mathilde

My cats are in a cattery at the moment. I was meant to have a straightforward surgical procedure last week, so I put them in for two nights, just in case I needed bed rest.

The surgery went wrong and I was in really bad shape, so I asked the shelter to keep them another week. Now I've got new surgery scheduled for 7th October. Hopefully all will go well but there's a chance it won't and I'll need follow-up surgery. 

I can't afford the shelter indefinitely. 

Are there services that foster cats? Could I approach cat shelters and ask that kind of thing? I'm not trying to abandon them but I need to be realistic and make a plan.

marcia_

 mathilde said:

My cats are in a cattery at the moment. I was meant to have a straightforward surgical procedure last week, so I put them in for two nights, just in case I needed bed rest.

The surgery went wrong and I was in really bad shape, so I asked the shelter to keep them another week. Now I've got new surgery scheduled for 7th October. Hopefully all will go well but there's a chance it won't and I'll need follow-up surgery. 

I can't afford the shelter indefinitely. 

Are there services that foster cats? Could I approach cat shelters and ask that kind of thing? I'm not trying to abandon them but I need to be realistic and make a plan.

 I know of two cat rescues local to me that will if they have space foster cats in situations like yours. One houses them with foster humans rather than keep them in the cattery. 

Brie

You might try a local pet sitting service so the cats can be in your home and someone comes to be with them twice a day to feed, clean up after them and give them some play time.  Very likely be much cheaper than a cattery.  The even cheaper alternative is a trusted neighbour young person who would be happy to do this (with parental supervision perhaps) for a small daily fee.  I know someone whose 12? yo son does this in their neighbourhood.  

Or enquire on social media like NextDoor and you might find someone who will do this for you for free - obviously the cheaper the service may mean the less security around it.

Savvy_Sue

https://cinnamon.org.uk/

I'm not sure if you'll meet their criteria, but if not, hopefully they can signpost you elsewhere.

josephine82

Also try cat in a flat. Someone can come and feed/visit the cats in your home. Better for cats to be in their own environment and a lot cheaper than a cattery.