fostering a new cat

We volunteer at a local animal shelter that just recently opened. It is still fairly small, and is just getting their foot in the door. They are a non-kill facilty but when they run out of room they are forced to send animals that have been there for a while to another local shelter (or even to the Humane Society). Anyway we of course fall in love with all of the animals there! We are maxed out on dogs in our house but there was a cat that I fell in love with and would spend a lot of my time with at the shelter. She was a stray female calico cat that was the loviest thing you would ever see. She loves to talk to you and would love if when i took her outside.

Anyway yesterday we arrived at the shelter and the cat section was completly full and I did not see Hedwig. My heart fell, I feared that she was at the shelter the longest and had probably been sent out to make room for all the kittens. (many adult cats never get adopted out). Anyway found out that she was temporarily at another home who was fostering her and 5 other kittens and mom cat. She needed to find hedwig a home to stay in as she could not care for all those cats.

SOOOOOOOO, if you couldnt see this coming, Hedwig is home with us. We are just fostering right now, but hopefully will be adopting her. It was a very long night however. I am hoping thing quiet down in our house. We kept her in her carrier and placed her in a room with a baby gate blocking the doorway. We placed the cage so that she could see out and the dogs/cat could see her. For the longest while no one bothered. Then my old cat saw her. Hissing and spitting started both ways. The dogs then got involved. That went on for a while and everyone quieted down. Once that occured we moved her crate onto the bed and kept it closed. THe dogs barked, she hissed and finally everyone settled down for the most part. We then moved her into her own room and let her have that room completely to herself for the night. I am hoping to be able to introduce her more gradually throughout the day and praying that she and the dogs settle down. We both go in there every hour or so and hold her and play with her. She is so friendly

 

I think it's wonderful.

Disruption to the routine with a new pet is always good. Have a blast at the shelter, dogs and cats need all the love they can get, they are so smart and most take it for granted.