Kitten Adoption/Foster Advice – Help!

[MayaConsuelo]

 Argh – my boss’s wife found a kitten in the garbage yesterday. Yes, in an actual trash bin. Somebody threw TWO in there and one was dead, she saved the remaining live kitten and is feeding it milk and kitten food. She’s hiding it from her husband (my boss) who won’t let her keep it. Initially she said it wasn’t weaned, but if the kitten is eating kibbles then maybe it’s older than she realized.

I said I MIGHT take the kitten in. I’m positive I could find a good home for it (kittens are easy to adopt out, my fiance is a professional photographer and can take kitty glamour shots.) But I also get super-attached to animals and I don’t volunteer at shelters because I’m too susceptible to animals who need homes, and I don’t have the space or money to take care of that many.

Also my cat is still really peeved about moving to this apartment. She is less depressed than when we first moved here but I know she’ll be upset with a new addition. Mr. Bun-Bun probably won’t care, and might even like a kitten friend. He’s always trying to play with and chase my cat Pepino.

So, any thoughts or advice? I had two cats and one rabbit before, and we’ll have a bigger apartment in the spring most likely. I do have enough money for a new cat (assuming it’s healthy) – there are low-cost spay options. Worst-case scenario we can find an adoptive family because kittens are easy to adopt out… right? Ugh. Am I just being overly sentimental because the cat was throw out in the freaking garbage?

[bunnyfriend]

Whoever did that is a horrible person! Poor kitty. My only thing about kittens is that they get adopted quickly but also quickly turn into cats and some people don’t want them anymore. So if you do chose to adopt out the kitten just be sure to find it a solid, forever home When you had 2 cats in your home was one of the cats the current cat you have now? Do you know if your cat would do well with another? If you have the money, time, and space and your cat would be happy with a new buddy then maybe it would be a good idea to keep the kitten.

[MayaConsuelo]

 Ugh… for now I’m not taking the kitten. The truth of the matter is, we simply don’t have the space. We do have a bit of extra cash for a vet checkup, but since we’re in a studio there’s nowhere to keep the kitten isolated from my cat and bunny until we make sure it’s not disease and worm-ridden. Yeah we could keep it in a box (which it should be in anyway if it’s very young) but that seems annoying. It’s just frustrating living in NYC and seeing how overwhelmed all the shelters are. I should focus on getting a bigger place so we can take in another rabbit first (you’re right, my cat would be really annoyed with another cat.) Truth is, the lady who saved the kitten from the trash isn’t just going to dump it anywhere, so it’s in no immediate danger.

I don’t know how people who work and volunteer in shelters do it… The first thing I saw when I was looking for NYC cat rescues online was a recent discovery of FIFTY cats in a cat-hoarder’s apartment that were taken in… the numbers are just staggering…

[Joyfull_music]

People are sick, vile creatures.

A little bit of advice to others on cats. My husband has rescued several, and all have integrated successfully into our clowder. We even had my sisters cat living here for a while. Our secret is to not worry over and baby your existing cat so much. Cats are very dignified, and as such will get over themselves. So long as your cat eats, drinks, and toilets during a new situation, don’t worry if all they do is mope around for a while. I could go on and on about taking in strays. Our cat count used to be six, until our oldest passed from old age (16 1/2 years). The current 5 we have now are all rescues my husband has done.

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