Category: kittens

cats, foster cats, fostering, Humane Society of Shenandoah County, kittens

Let Me Introduce You to ‘The Ladies’

Cara Sue Achterberg

You know me, never one to go all-in on anything when it comes to animals….

My latest foster kittens have all moved on. Chett and Poe found a great adoptive home not too far away. Their adopter sent this picture of their new spoiled life:

And Harper, Hemingway, and Twain caught a transport headed to a rescue in Carroll County, MD in need of kittens (WHO is in need of kittens anywhere at this point in history??).

So…when the cat foster coordinator texted and said, “Would you consider five more ‘middle-aged’ kittens?” I thought, I survived this last lot, so, why not?

Continue reading “Let Me Introduce You to ‘The Ladies’” →
cats, Flannery Oconnor, foster cats, foster dogs, fostering, kittens

Becoming a Cat Person (By Default)

Cara Sue Achterberg

The boys survived their ‘alterations’ this week and hopefully, two of them will be moving on soon. Chett and Poe have an adopter, they’re vaccinated, dewormed (multiple times), microchipped, combo-tested (neg), and now, neutered. They are ready to go!

The Humane Society of Shenandoah County charges $175 for kittens and $150 for cats in adoption fees. I’m pretty new to this cat game, but even I can see that adoption fees don’t begin to cover the cost of saving these kitties.

Continue reading “Becoming a Cat Person (By Default)” →
cats, foster cats, fostering, Humane Society of Shenandoah County, kittens

Five Little Kitties Jumping on the Desk

Cara Sue Achterberg

It’s pretty quiet here at this foster home. That’s the difference between fostering cats and fostering dogs. Dogs require a lot more attention.

But cats, kittens in this case, also require a little attention. Just like puppies, there is a lot of deworming. Plus, for the first few weeks with us, Harper needed to be bathed almost daily because she had not figured out how to take care of herself. Thankfully, she’s finally doing her own grooming. Neither of us enjoyed her baths.

Continue reading “Five Little Kitties Jumping on the Desk” →
cats, foster cats, fostering, kittens, worms

My Surprising New Fostering Assistant

Cara Sue Achterberg

I have a surprising new assistant helping me with the foster kitties.

We’ve discovered that Otis simply loves the kittens. All our foster cats/kittens usually live out on the sunporch. We haven’t added furniture or renovated the area because we need to replace the supporting posts (one is rotting) and possibly the windows (which are sagging, but once the posts are replaced that problem may correct itself).

Continue reading “My Surprising New Fostering Assistant” →
canine health, cats, dog rescue, foster cats, foster dogs, fostering, kittens, Texas, Who Will Let the Dogs Out

Heartbreak and Happiness Exist Side By Side in Rescue

Cara Sue Achterberg

I don’t know what to tell you about Bippity Bop. Her health situation is a mystery. As we back off (very slowly) from the anti-seizure medications, she is still not herself. It’s like the little dog who arrived here a month ago, is gone, vanished.

In her place, is a timid pup who startles easily, is unsteady on her feet, and seems confused most of the time. X-Port Paws and I are reaching out to different doctors and rescue organizations for advice and plan to do all we can to get to the bottom of this, but my heart is heavy as she is deteriorating quickly. I just want my spunky little girl back.

Continue reading “Heartbreak and Happiness Exist Side By Side in Rescue” →
adopters, cats, foster cats, fostering, kittens, Spay and Neuter

Gotcha Day is VERY Different with Cats

Cara Sue Achterberg

Cat adoptions aren’t nearly as exciting as dog adoptions.

Don’t get me wrong – it still feels great to save a cat, it’s just….different.

Cats don’t bound up to their potential adopter (or growl at them either). There’s no carefully orchestrated meeting or a walk with a potential fur-sibling or even a question, really, about the outcome.

Continue reading “Gotcha Day is VERY Different with Cats” →
cats, dog rescue, Fanny, Flannery Oconnor, foster dogs, foster fail, fostering, Gala, kittens, Long Term Dog, parvo, puppies

My Four-legged Silver Lining

Cara Sue Achterberg

We are down to just one foster.

Hard to remember when that was last the case. It leaves me wondering what I will write about on this blog. Although Mia is an incredibly interesting and entertaining dog, maybe it won’t be an issue. Just in case, I’m considering a few other ideas (and welcome yours!).

Continue reading “My Four-legged Silver Lining” →
foster dogs, foster fail, fostering, hard to adopt, kittens, parvo, puppies

A New Year of Fostering

Cara Sue Achterberg

What will fostering look like for us in 2021?

I honestly don’t know. Maybe one thing 2020 has taught me is that I can’t assume anything about the coming year.

I have many hopes for my ‘dog life’:

Continue reading “A New Year of Fostering” →
cats, dog rescue, foster dogs, fostering, hard to adopt, kittens, training

Seeing Them To Safety

Cara Sue Achterberg

What’s a girl to do when her puppy room is empty, the same foster dog has been here for months, her foster cats finally left (after more than a year with us!) and she’s itching to save animals?

Why take in a few foster kittens, of course!

Fostering kittens is a new venture. I know nothing about kittens this tiny. Lucky for me OPH has supplied me with everything I need, and their rescuer gave me lots of excellent advice. Ian is doing the bulk of the work—putting drops in their eyes, giving them their daily meds, feeding them, hanging out with them.

Continue reading “Seeing Them To Safety” →
Dixieland, dog rescue, Dogs with Issues, foster cats, foster dogs, fosterdogs, fostering, Gala, hard to adopt, heartworms, kittens, Oreo, Spay and Neuter

We All Need a Sanctuary

Cara Sue Achterberg

I just dropped off Dixie for her spay surgery and 4Dx test. She stood shaking beside me on the passenger side floor for the entire drive.

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I tried to explain to her that this was for the best and that it would move her a step closer to her new life – the one that won’t include puppies or horrible people who don’t take her to the vet when she breaks her leg (or who possibly broke that leg in the first place).

If her heartworm test comes back negative, Continue reading “We All Need a Sanctuary” →