So not having kittens is a bit like..

Dandelions in December (in Maine)

or an elf riding a llama..

I usually go a few months in the dead of winter with out them, I'm just having a really hard time adjusting this year..

Update on the kittens

Well the kittens have slowly been getting over the URI they came with.  We have a runny eye here a sneeze there.  They probably could have gone back before now, but A) I was selfish B) they had soft stools and C) there is a coworker of DH that might be interested in one.. so I've been holding on to them.

Well the other day while scooping the litter boxes, one of the kittens came and left a deposit.  This is not a rare occurrence.  They seem to enjoy trying to fill it as I'm trying to empty it (and lest you think they are enjoying using cleaned litter, they generally use a box I haven't scooped yet) but this one came with a special "gift".  This little pile came with an additional "friend" and thus I learned they had tape worms.  (one great big collective EEEEWWW!!!)

So we got pills and yesterday morning they got it. I was so pleased at not only how well they took it, but my skill in giving it. (not sure who I was prouder of)  I figured this would help clear up the loose stools and would also help them recover from the URI (because worms eat up the nutrients the kittens need to get healthy)  Last night they were eating like champs and doing well.

I have been noticing that Murray is very much a "momma's boy".  He still nurses over eating, and runs to her when ever he can.  I feel bad that he is most likely going to have to face life with out her really soon, so I decided to try to break him of nursing.  I got some bitter ointment and put just a dab on each of her nipples.  As soon as Clair's feet hit the floor Murray ran right to her, but he stopped short.  Even that small amount of ointment changed the way she smelled.  He was reluctant to continue forward until she gave him a little lick.  He got closer and realized the milk bar was closed, and I felt so sad for him.  But this morning I was able to walk right up to him and pat him, so I'm thinking I made the right decision.  The ointment probably didn't last the night, but hopefully it was enough to break him of that first impulse.

Someone also vomited last night.  Not sure if it was because of the ointment or the medication.  But no one seemed the worse for it.  They certainly enjoyed watching me clean up the floor..

And on the best news yet, we have someone coming to check out the kittens tonight.  They lost their kitty a while ago and are ready to add to their family.  They know they have to go through the shelter and pay their fees (at least I hope they know about the fee bit) and are just coming to scope them out.  Not sure if they will absolutely take one or not.  And there is also talk of someone else possibly being interested.  fun fun!!

I'm guessing they will be with me another week, and then most likely the foster room will be "closed" (well except for the fact of Bea) until Spring.  The shelter does get kittens all year long, but not nearly as many during the cold cold snow filled (well usually snow filled) winters and the staff usually can take care of them.  I'm sure The Crew will greatly appreciate having me all to themselves this winter. (well except for Bea)

I'm sure I'll get kitten fever many times over the winter with all the wonderful kitten blogs I follow.

OK then...

So.. I checked my email last night..

Ok, I admit, I was chicken, I had my husband read it and tell me if I had been yelled at or not.

See my first instinct is to yell and scream and try to force the shelter into doing what I want, and I know that is a bad idea on many levels, so I tried to be as diplomatic as possible and convey what I knew and what I wanted and left what I felt out of it.  not sure if I succeeded..

and I can never tell how things will be perceived.  If the manager reading it had a bad day, no matter what I said it could easily be taken as my trying to force things.

The reply was also very diplomatic.  Reminded me a LOT of my mother (and no, that is not a good thing)  It said my input was valuable and appreciated, and that I am very valued and appreciated, but decisions about adoption are the discretion of the shelter.

In my previous email I ended with what I would like, and that would be for Peter to have some info on his adoption that he should be an indoor only kitty (because of his nature to run and hide when facing new things) and that he would be better suited to living with another friendly outgoing cat.  (and that he had the vaccine reaction) I mentioned that I could have sent along a write up and photos for the website, that I would be as proactive as possible finding him a home.  Well she said getting the write up would be a good thing, so I culled a few photos of Peter (was hard to find some with out Tinsel somewhere in the shot) and I did another write up (which I don't think was my best because I was so emotional) and sent that back as my reply.

I do really appreciate and respect the manager I'm dealing with.  She has been with the shelter for years, and has really grown into the position and brings a lot to it.  Unfortunately being an open admission shelter they deal with a small budget and do not pay what (I think) they should for staff.  As a result most of the staff is in their young 20s and while they do care, and they do a good job, I think the fact that the median age of the staff is so young does effect things.  I think (I have no idea) that the decision was made (to separate) with out talking to anyone with out knowing the facts of Peter simply because they were doing so well where they were at the time.  They didn't know that Peter has issues with change, they didn't know how he hid from me when he returned here.  They didn't know.. and they didn't ask.  Which is an absolute shame.  I don't think they did it out of malice or to tick me off.  I think they thought they knew best, that it would get them adopted faster - which for the most part would be better for most cats.

So, now I'm back to what do *I* want out of this. I am hoping with time I'll forgive the arrogance, and move past this.  (I don't like the word arrogance, but I can't think of a better one.  Arrogance is very harsh, and as I said, I don't think the decision was intended to be harsh or rude)  I'm not happy that the fact that the woman I called asking for information never called me back - especially since this woman is the one I have previously trusted to stay in my home and care for my own cats. 

One thing I do know for certain, if I do continue to foster (and chances are good that I will), I am going to HAVE to stick to my previous rule of no more single kitten fosters!!

(for those new to this blog, the last two to the crew were single kitten fosters, and the two before that were kittens that were left behind after the rest of their families went up for adoption - Twee because she had a severe reaction to the sedation when she was neutered and Kit because she was painfully small and I had kept the rest of the two families (a pair of sibling cats who gave birth to four kittens each with in a day of each other) for way too long.)

So this is basically over.

I'll be focusing on Tweedle and Eli for the next few days because they are going on Tuesday to have their teeth cleaned.  As previously mentioned, Tweedle had severe reactions to anesthesia (clinically died both times they tried to spay her.  The second time the vet finished the spay while the tech started to resuscitate her)   My vet is the vet who spayed her, and he swears that he has a new sedation that is much safer, and she should be fine.  I trust him.  I trust that they will watch her like a hawk and if there is any trouble do absolutely everything for her. I'm thinking Wednesday night we'll have a nice nip party and a nice yummy treat for dinner..

Expressing oneself with out burning bridges can be a fine line

The thought of not fostering really hurts me.  While at times it has been painful (when I lose them) and frustrating (when they are sick and wont get better) for the most part I find it does me far more good then the kittens I care for.

But I'm not sure I can not continue to work for the kittens until they are adopted (aka stop caring for them cold turkey once they hit 2.5 lbs).  I guess I feel my responsibility to them will only end once they have their forever home.  Is this right?  maybe, maybe not.  Guess it depends on what the shelter I work with thinks. 

So I have been thinking.  My options were a) say something or b) stop fostering.  I didn't much like either one of these.  I've been with the shelter long enough to know full well why they didn't consult me when it came to their decision regarding my former fosters.  There have been too many "situations" where volunteers have become emotionally involved and blew up when the shelter's decisions didn't match what the volunteers thought they should be.  I've seen the aftermath, it isn't easy.  I know the staff try to do their best by the animals with what they have to work with.  I guess I thought with the years I had put in, and some of the situations I've gone through with the shelter, I thought I had earned a bit more standing.  It hurt that it wasn't the case.

So I emailed and asked, as casually as possible.  I got back the response I was expecting.  They thought they would do fine apart, and Tin got way more interest then Peter.  yup, and yup.  Pretty much expected that.  It is a shame they didn't ask me for the information I had.  I knew Tin would do just fine, I've always said that.  It is Peter who needs another kitty to show him that the world is a good place. 

Ok, so now what.  After the response, I was back to the same place, say something or stop fostering.  Explain why I felt they were wrong, with out becoming a "problem volunteer"  and make a suggestion of what I feel would "fix" the situation I had an issue with.  Cause really at this point there is no getting Tin back for Peter.  (and considering I haven't checked in on Peter since Sunday he might even be in his forever home)

I ran several drafts past my husband, who is far less emotional then I am (in general, and in specific about this) and sent off a letter explaining my side of things, and why I even had a side of things... it wasn't that I was emotionally involved (which is I am obviously) but because I wanted Peter to have the best out of life, and I felt his new owners should know who he is and what he needs. I guess I feel I am an advocate for the kittens because I come to know them so well.  The shelter has several programs like "meet your match" and do work ups for some of the animals, and I guess I felt it was my job to make sure that kittens with special quirks have those quirks known.  If I have a kitten who is all up in your face demanding attention and is a troublemaker, I say so and that way if someone is looking for a kitten who isn't all up in their face, they won't end up with one that is.. etc.

I have yet to check my mail to see if there is a reply.  I sent it after hours, and I've been at work and do not want to get possibly bad news here. 

I would like to continue fostering, but I've come to the realization that I do not want to just feed them and send them back.  I can not, and nor do I want to, divorce myself from the care that I have given and the care I take to do my best for them. 

So we'll see if this blog turns into a rambling of just my own cats or not..

Vet Visit for Fleurp

Bet she is wishing she never asked for all that extra attention now.. :)

She is NOT a fan of being scooped up before breakfast, shoved in a carrier (how I did it with two hands I'm not quite sure) and being driven around at speeds unnatural for any cat.  Fleurp has a cute little chirp instead of a protesting meow.  It is almost like "hey, this isn't the way my world is supposed to work.. I'm cute, I get what I want"

They took her out back, and I forgot to ask them to draw a little extra blood in case we needed to do an FELV/FIV test.  I have been wracking my brains about what might make her anemic, and I thought that would be one thing, and I know how much she hates getting blood drawn.  Well the tech heard me curse myself for not asking when she brought her back, and asked what was up.  I explained I was thinking I wouldn't have minded if they predrew a little extra blood in case she was anemic so we could do an felv/fiv, but since it didn't happen, not to worry about it because we will cross that bridge when we come to it.  Well she took that to mean, lets run the felv/fiv test.  *sigh*  another $50 out of the budget.  But I guess in the long run I shouldn't complain, because I would probably wonder, and now I know.  It just irks me because I did not give permission for it to be done.  This is the second time a "miscommunication" happened at the vet..  The first being when they didn't clean Jack's ears when I specifically asked for it..

No big deal...  Well Jack thought it was, cause he hates it when I clean his ears, and it would have been nice to do it while he was sedated..

anyway.

She's not anemic, she hasn't lost weight, she's not felv or fiv positive. 

She just likes playing with screws.

and drill bits.

and eating dirt.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On a side note, my vet does some work with the shelter, and I thought they might take the information regarding injectable vaccines better from him then from me.  They obviously injected Peter and Tinsel on their flank. The protocols for injections has changed, and they should be given as low down on the limbs as possible, the reason being that if VAS (vaccine associated sarcoma - aka cancer from the vaccine) were to occur, it would be in a place where you could remove the whole limb and the cat would have a better chance at an outcome.  I have tried to explain things to the shelter in the past, but being a non vet, I don't hold a lot of weight.  When I told him that was what they were doing, he was concerned and also mentioned to me that some of his recent dealings with the shelter were.... well to be politically correct (and sharing with out giving out too much info) .... were wonky.  We are wondering if there is some sort of management shift, or something going on.  It was very comforting to know that it wasn't *me*  (I tend to be a little paranoid about that..)

I am trying to decide if I want to write a letter about P & T (I tend to be a crier when I talk to people in person about things I'm passionate about and it is more of a nuisance and makes me feel I am being taken less seriously) or just let this go stand back and see what happens.  There are a couple of organizations in the area who I am sure would really love having an additional foster home, so if I decide that I can not deal with their new way of doing things I can reach out to others, but I think right now I just need to take a break and come back to reality.  I have been fretting and fretting over Peter - almost to the point that this is a death sentence for him - which is completely not the case.  It got so bad last night that I found myself waking up several times and fretting.  The non emotional part of my brain knew it to be silly to not be able to let it go, but apparently my emotional side is about five years old and just could not let it go.  I think my cats understood I was upset (and maybe even thinking of bringing Peter home) so six of the seven (DH's cat hung out with him) made it a point to be as close to me as was feline possible. which for those of you with out obnoxiously affectionate cats, means as many whiskers and fur bits up your nose as possible.  I tried to get photos, but it is hard when they are so close, and it is still dark out

I did find it comforting after writing about Skippy last night to find him snuggled up into my belly as I slept on my side. ( I do think it a little amazing that I can tell all of my cats apart in the dark or with my eyes closed. ) Then again this morning as I was just about to get up to take Fleurp to the vet, he walked into the room and looked up at me.  I said "Hi Skippy" and he immediately got up and jumped on the bed and came for a good 20 minute snugglefest - water works included (my boy drools when he is happy)

and just to share, this was my ride to the vet.  35 minutes one way.. by the time I headed home, most of the snow was melting off the trees and being a nusance.

Springtime in Maine.. got to love it.

So, after all this verbal diarrhea, I'm pretty much were I was on Sunday.  But at the very least I am able to step back a bit and look a little more objectively.  The worst has happened (they were separated) and the world did not end.  I'm just at a diverge in the road, and at some point I have to make a decision which path to take.  I think the longer I take to make this decision, the better.  Kitten season doesn't start up fully until late April/May so I have plenty of time.  Also no reason (besides horrid kitten fever) I can't take the whole year off if that is what *I* need to deal with this and how things are handled in the future.


I want to be as clear as possible that while I'm upset with what is currently happening, I still greatly respect the shelter I volunteer for.  They do a great deal with in the limits of being an open admission shelter.  I could never deal with the decisions they have to make on a daily basis.  While I wish it was slightly different then it currently is, and there is nothing wrong with wishing for improvement, I don't feel that it diminishes the work they are able to accomplish.  If their policies become something I can't work with in because of how emotionally invested I become, it does not mean that either one of us is wrong, just that we are on either side of an idea.

Well, Tinsel was adopted.... (and some verbal diarrhea)

I'm not happy. (but I am happy for Tinsel)  I have been reluctant to post about what has been going on as I wasn't sure if it was an actual issue or not. 

I stopped in to see Peter and Tinsel on Saturday evening.  Their write up which originally had "we must go home together" written on it by a staff member had a post it on it saying they could be separated.  I was quite upset, and went home wondering why.  Wondering if I even had the right to say something... well I guess I always have the right to "say something" but probably not to push the matter. 

I had taken the post it, hoping that would be enough.  Hoping that it was someone not in authority who had wrote it, and that by removing it that it wouldn't happen.  I fretted and obsessed, and finally I gave up and called the shelter staff member who is in charge of PetSmart.  She didn't answer her phone, so I left a message.  She did not call.  I called again in the morning, trying to be very pleasant, and saying I just wanted to ask a question about policy and it would just take a moment.

I really needed to know why after three months this decision was made.

So she didn't call. So I called the shelter manager on Sunday.  I left her a message as well but told her I didn't really need a call back about this.  I was started to feel a little obsessive about this.  Once again, what am I "allowed" to say/insist on.  I mean these aren't my cats.  I'm "just a volunteer".  I've been volunteering for a very long time, more then a dozen years, maybe 15, maybe even 20.. I'm not really sure.  I've been fostering since they started the program. 

I also was hoping that it wouldn't matter. That they would be adopted together. 

I went by this evening.  Tinsel was gone.  My write up was gone.  Peter was in the cage all by himself.

I am bothered that it was not discussed with me.  (Do I even have a right to think they should have asked?)  I'm bothered that I did not get a call back.  I'm bothered that they would igo along with them be adopted together for three months then all of a sudden decide, well maybe not.  Granted Peter does really well when he is comfortable in an environment, but when change happens he pulls inside himself.  Even coming back here when he was sick it took him a while to come out of his shell.  Tinsel helped him accept that the world was not out to get him.  If Tinsel could do it, Peter thought he could do it.  Will Peter be OK with out a friend.. I guess, but I think he would do so much better with one.  (Or at least in a home that is understanding that he is like that - but with out a write up, the new home will not know)

I want so much to grab him and bring him home.  But I did that with Skippy, and while I do not regret bringing him home, I'm not sure it was the best thing for him or the resident kitties. I'm sure Peter would do OK here, but he might do so much better in a less complicated household.

*sigh*

So I'm not sure I feel comfortable fostering at this point.  I get so emotionally invested.  I am supposed to bring these little ones into my home and love them, and nurture them, and care about them, and my feelings don't stop at the door.... and I'm not sure I would be any good as a "maker of good kittens" if they did.

So, I do need to have a conversation with the shelter about this.  I need to decide if this is something I can accept.  if it isn't, will another shelter have different rules about this sort of thing?  If not, what am I going to do with all my new found free time?  and how bad is the kitten fever going to get watching others foster such as IBKC  (I mean come on, have you seen Mr. Kirby??)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On a side note, I called the vet today.  I'm going to bring Fleurp in the morning for a blood draw to see if she is anemic again.  She's back at the dirt and still playing with screws even though we picked up every single one we could find.  I scheduled Twee and Eli for a week from tomorrow for dentals.

Kittens are home

I called to check on them around four, and they weren't all done.  What on earth was that vet doing all day, it was just the five of them and one other last night!!  *sigh* I guess emergencies happen.  I was told to call back at 6 as they close at seven.  Fortunately they were done, and I was able to pick them up.  They were loving and active.  I took a look at all of their incisions.  Maxie's was a little protruding, but the rest looked really good.  They found the dry food, and went to chow.  So I opened up some cans of food, and they ate them right up (I have video, I'll up load it soon)

I'm glad they are here, as I had a death in my family.  Kittens are always good for the soul, but are particularly good at distraction from the sadness.  And I really didn't need to worry about them locked at the clinic another night.

I'm going to bring them in Friday morning and they'll be put right up for adoption providing they don't break with an illness.  They did start sneezing after their trip in to the shelter but that seemed to have ended prior to their going in.  Stress can bring it back, so if it gets bad they'll stay here for a while.

Kitten season has just about ended.  There are no kittens up for adoption at the moment, and none waiting to get into foster care, so this might be it for the bitty kitty updates till spring.  They do come in, but usually the staff is able to take care of them.  Some years I get kitten fever in the dead of winter and I go in begging for kittens.  Sometimes they get more kittens then the staff can handle and I get a call.

I saw a posting that a different shelter in the area would like a foster home for some bunnies. I so totally wish I could do that.  I really miss having a bunny, but I fear what bringing a bunny into this house could mean.  Skippy really loved Bri, and he might love another, but I do believe he is a carrier for bartonella, which he passed on to Bri.

We'll see what the next few weeks brings us. 

Quality Ollie Time - and a quandry

This morning while doing Ollie's treatment, he decided to hang out with me for a while.  It was towards the end of the two hours, and I was still not quite awake.  I was all wrapped up in my big fluffy white bathrobe with my big fluffy white socks (not to mention my pasty white skin sticking out in all the modest places) and on the lounge chair we have set up in front of the TV.  Most of the time I don't sit on it right, but have my head where the small of your back should go.  I was laying there trying to work up the strength to go about my day, when Ollie decided he needed to sit on my chest.  So I sat there patting him and giving him lovin.  It was such an odd little sight, this black cat on this overly white person.  I had my knees up too, so I was almost in some odd boat position.

I was able to get through about 10 minutes before I started thinking about how he wouldn't be there one day.  Because now it is a reality, I started getting teary eyed and emotional.  I know I ticked him off because of the look he gave me before he left - as if to say "you had to go and ruin this with all your.. emotions!!"  Quite the disgusted look.  Hey, I didn't think I did too badly as I wasn't actually crying.. just spending time in the future grief I knew would be there one day.  Stupid thing to do, I know, but sometimes you can't help it.

I got a call from the shelter, they are swamped! and I was asked to take more kittens.  I really hate mixing litters, and I am not in a position to take on more then one room, but this might be a case of life and death.  Maybe not for these particular kittens I've been asked to take, but they are running out of foster homes at the moment.  They were full before they had 19 sets dropped off over the weekend.  A cry for help got them some new homes, but kitten season is in full swing, and I'm sure with the holiday coming up it's just going to get worse.  So do I risk it and take home a second set and mix them??   I mean seriously, what are the chances that something would go wrong?

Skippy Update

I went back to the shelter on Friday, and I saw Skippy's new owners. They said all the right things, and seemed on the surface to be perfect parents, but I wasn't 100% happy with them. Why? well they said a few other things that led me to believe they were just saying things to make us happy. I would have prefered they said "yes, we are going to let him out" instead of hiding it. Reason being Skippy is EXTREMELY prey driven, and probably will run after something small and get very lost. Also they had no questions about the possible re-occurance of his urariny issues. I would think that potential owners would want to know what that might mean for them and Skippy, but they didn't ask. Maybe they've dealt with it before? I don't know. I do know they said they really liked the idea that he wanted to cuddle a lot, and that they would be home to cuddle with him.

While I am an indoor only no dry food advocate, I am accepting that many cats do live a long life going outside and eating dry food. However, there are some cats that can't do that (like Benny or Skippy). Getting the right cat to the right people is what is important.

Guilt

I got a very nice comment on my post about returning Skippy. CG (oddly enough my own initials) just returned her first foster kitten (and I am assuming it is a woman) and is dealing with the guilt.

Guilt. I know it all too well. The "I want to save them all and I can't". Every time I go into the shelter for supplies I seem to come out with a new kitten to care for. I just recently had to turn down a two day old kitten who needed round the clock care because I realized bringing kittens into work every day was NOT going to work out (co-worker's dog thinks kittens are toys) I felt horrid.

But there is some acceptance of that guilt, and I just live with it as a companion to the joy that comes from the good I am able to do. CG has limitations in her life with three high maintenance kitties. For her own good, and for the good of the kitties she does own, she knows her limitations. Adding more and more cats would overwhelm her and do harm to her own beloved cats.

When I am tempted to add more (than my already busting at the limits seven cats) I am reminded of a woman who used to foster with me. Under just one year her household went from one cat to 12. 12. Now I have no issue with her having a dozen cats because I know her, and know she can take care of them, but when I had six I was easily overwhelmed with them (of course one of those six was a diabetic) and I couldn't fathom having double that number. I think I vowed at that point to never have more cats in weight than I weighed. *smile*

I know it is so easy to keep kittens. They are small. They don't eat much. They are fun, and cuddly and playful. Basically they sucker you in with cuteness. however by giving in, you put their life, your own, and the lives of any of your current pets under more stress. Maybe it would work out (as it did in my case when I kept Fleurp - but I struggled long and hard about that) but there is a good chance you'll just overwhelm yourself and not provide the home for anyone you want.

I also have to remind yourself there are a *LOT* of great homes out there. No, they aren't yours, and no, they probably wont do everything as you would do it, but that's ok. The kittens will be loved and cared for, and while you might do it differntly, the cats will be happy.

It's time

I think this is the second hardest return I've ever done with a foster kitten. The first being Jack - and I ran into the shelter and got him the next day. Skip is headed back tomorrow morning.

Skippy is such an uber special little boy. I've never known a kitten so cuddly, so gentle, so playful, so happy, etc. Ok ok.. Fleurp was pretty freaking special too, but she was not as cuddly as Skip. He'll sit with me for ... if not hours a very long time in kitty time... then he'll go play or watch the kittens for a bit and then come back to me and cuddle some more. I pick him up, and he snuggles into my neck.

He deserves the absolute best home ever. Mine is pretty darn close, but with seven cats I know I could not give him the attention he needs. Muffin takes up my lap most of the time, followed by Twee. Jack takes up my nights, and Ollie takes up the afternoon/evening shift. DH is usually covered by Kit if not her then Twee.


I want someone who stays home a lot and loves to read or watch TV (so a lap is available) to take him. I want someone who understands or is willing to understand that dry food is evil and that going outdoors is just wrong. I know *hangs head*, I know.. But this is what I want. I can only pray that just the right home comes for him - what ever form that takes, and he is happy for a VERY long time.

Most of my fosters I am ok with passing on to new owners. I love them while I have them, and then let go. Some stick with me. I fear Skippy will be cuddled around my heart for years and years to come. The more that are there, the harder it is for me to let new ones in. I get burnt out quicker each year.

I am going to have to remember to not take only kittens any more..

You can not save them all

Well sadly Yippy went back to the shelter this morning. I couldn't figure out why Skippy would not leave her alone while she was out of the cage, but played very nicely with her when she first showed up, and when she was in the cage:



But then I realized that Skippy's prey drive was very very strong. He chases ANYTHING that moves and what more fun to chase than a living being. Yip spent most of her days in the cage so when she got out, she just wanted to flex her muscles and run. This resulted in some play, but when she would escape his capture and take off again, he went into overdrive and things got ugly. He never hurt her, but it did get to the point where I felt the need to step in before he got any further into predator mode. There are very few noises so tearing to the heart as a kitten crying out while being attacked.

I tried many different things to help them co-exist, but fighting against nature is a pointless battle. I contacted the shelter and arranged for Yip to find a new foster home where she wouldn't be harassed. I thought about keeping her as she only has a couple of weeks till she is old enough, but I am very overwhelmed with the orphans as it is, that I'm actually looking forward for Skippy to go back (as much as I adore him)

Bringing her back felt so wrong. My emotional side felt that there was more I could do, that there were other things to try, and that I was 'giving up' and basically doing the wrong thing. I knew my emotions were wrong. I knew that the shelter would take care of her and find her a home where she wouldn't be harassed, and where her foster parents would have more time to snuggle and play with her (which I am severely lacking with Skippy's demands, and the demands of the orphans, and the demands of my own crew)

There are times when doing the thing that feels wrong is the right thing to do. You (ok I) just have to learn to accept this.

I wasn't going to post about this right away, but I got a comment on a post I made several years ago about a foster mom who had a sick kitten:

You seem like an expert at fostering! I just picked up a foster kitty last Thursday that was about 7 weeks old. She weighed 2.9 lbs. She was very lively the first day, then had diarrhea every day after and started sneezing and having watery eyes. When I took her back to the shelter for an exam they said she had lost 9 oz. But didn't want to give her anything for her eyes because it might cause more diarrhea. Two days later she had stopped drinking and playing and mostly slept. She did eat better but everytime she did she had diarrhea. I got permission to take her to the emergency vet and for her to stay there until the shelter picked her up the next morning. Did I do the right thing leaving her at the vet? I kept thinking that she wasn't getting better staying with me, but I feel like I abandoned her. Of course, when we got to the vet she seemed livelier (like when you take your car in and they can't replicate the problem). Should I have kept working with her in the hopes she would get better on her own? When is it the right time to release the kitty back to the shelter?

Interesting how things like this happen. While this is not the same set of circumstances, it is the same emotional feelings.

Since the poster did not leave a way of replying, I thought I would reply here. I'm often saying that all questions regarding cats have been asked before, and will be asked again, so even if the original situation has resolved, it never hurts to add another opinion to the situation because it will come up again.

so yes, you very much did the right thing. You did the right thing at every step. Could you have done more? I don't know. From only the information you gave me I could suggest a few other things for you to have tried, but I would be uncomfortable suggesting them with out more information. Diarrhea is a very common problem, and usually not much of an issue - except for the young, the infirm and the elderly just as it is in humans. Young kittens do not have very many reserves and diarrhea for a couple of days can be dangerous as it drains the kitten of fluids and can dehydrate the kitten, and it drains the kitten of nutrients since food does not have time to be fully absorbed.

Did you do the right thing by leaving the kitten at the vet? Yes. They are much better equipped to handle the situation if it deteriorates. They have foods that are easier on the system, and they have fluids they can give to help keep the kitten hydrated.

Why did the kitten seem to improve when you brought it to the vet? well this is a testament to how comfortable the kitten is with you. Cats / Kittens will do everything they can to hide illnesses. When the kitten was comfortable at the house, it felt a little more able to indulge itself in it's illness. When you took it out of it's comfort zone, the kitten felt the need to work to hide how bad it was feeling. It is so very very common - and happens to me ALL THE TIME! Often I joke with the shelter staff that I just needed to bring the kitten in to fix it.

What you are feeling is completely normal. We've all been there at one time or another. I felt I was abandoning Yip because I could not get Skippy to not chase her. But since we can not save them all, sometimes you have to put them in more capable hands. It's hard to admit that - but with each experience you learn to help you deal with the next one. We have to work with the system we are in. Your shelter has proceedures in place and you do have to work with them, because after all, the kitten is still theirs.

Thank you for caring for that little kitten. Thank you for caring. I hope this will not put you off fostering. It is heart breaking when it goes wrong, but it can be so very rewarding when it goes right.

How to foster kittens

well this was a popular search recently.

How to foster kittens.

Seems so daunting doesn't it? Where do you start, what do you need?

Well if you have a shelter or rescue that has a foster program, the foster program coordinator will start you off with their basic guidelines. They almost always provide very easy fosters for the first set or two, and might ask you later to take more 'high risk' fosters once you feel comfortable. A mom with babies, easy. older kittens that are eating on their own, easy. Pregnant moms, easy with special circumstances. Cause things CAN go wrong. Generally pregnancy and delivery is pretty easy and done with out any interveining from you. But occasionally you need to be ready for problems.

So easy. You bring them home. Set them up with a litter box, food, water and toys. When I first started I had a small office that I converted to fit the fosters. I soon realized that it would be easier for me if I could confine them somewhat, and I confiscated my older rabbit cage (still in good shape) to keep the cats confined while they were very small. It was large enough to comfortably house a mom and a few babies, a litter box and food. As the kittens got old enough to show good litter box habits, they got more and more freedom. As I continued to foster, I invested just under $100 in an official cat cage. I like it, but there are times when I like the simplicity of the rabbit cage. Only problem with the rabbit cage is there isn't easy access. If there is a kitten in the back of the cage, I have to crawl through the small door in the front to get to it.

Do you need a cage? no. If the kittens are small and you want to keep them confined, a sturdy cardboard box works great.

I do however recommend that if you have cats of your own that you assign one room to be for fostering, and keep fosters isolated from your own cats. You never know what issues foster kittens can bring into your house. Almost all of the issues that can be a problem are preventable with your own cats being up to date on their vaccines and isolation from the fosters. I am rare in how much I isolate the kittens. Most of the foster parents I know let kittens mingle with their own cats. I've done it. I'll admit it is a LOT of fun and good exercise for older cats. But since I've run into issues I only do it after the kittens have been around for six weeks or more and ONLY if they tend to escape the foster room first. (which despite the addition of a baby gate to the enterence of the foster room door they still do as they get older)

So, basics. New foster parents get easy cases. Not much to do but play with them, snuggle them, get them used to human contact. Helps to have a radio or a TV playing in the back ground when you aren't around. gets them used to the sounds of humans. I had a set that I didn't give background noise to for a while, and they were more shy than normal. Took them a little while each time to warm up to us. So I ended up getting a radio for them, and that disappeared.

another good thing to do occasionally is take them for an outting. I once had a set of fosters that didn't leave my house until they went to get neutered. They got quite car sick, and the whole experience was quite hard on them. taking them out in the carrier and drive around a few times (once a week?) or bring them back to the shelter for a visit.. I bring mine in occasionally for cuddling. I ask the staff if they wouldn't mind cuddling a kitten... which they rarely turn down. I work at a place that I can bring kittens in occasionally, which is also helpful. Going out into the world, then going home to the nest helps build up the self confidence of a kitten. And a self confident kitten makes a nice well adjusted and loving cat.

Over the years I've gotten a few extras for the foster kittens. Climbing trees, cute beds, play cubes, etc. But generally they just want to play with those things you don't want them to, like plastic bags, pop tops from cans, strings from bags of litter :) You need to be VERY careful to kitten proof. Kittens once they get that walking thing down are very much like human toddlers at a birthday party.

Often, when I tell people what I do, they ask how I can do it, how can I give them back. Well I laugh and remind them I now have a multitude of cats, and sometimes they don't go back. One foster parent I know ended up with 12 cats. Most have one or two they end up keeping, but we love cats, and we love our cats, and we know that to keep adding to the household would only cause problems, and would probably end our ability to foster. The other thing I tell people is that when you have a group of kittens, it is a completely different thing than falling in love with one cat a time. Yes, they are adorable, fun and make you laugh, but 5 kittens can get into more trouble than you can imagine, and make big messes (the dustpan and broom will be your best friend) and by the time they are big enough to go back to be adopted you will very much be like the mom of the toddler at a birthday party. I've actually begged the shelter to take back kittens before.

now, when you get one kitten, or you have a sick or special needs kitten, you are apt to get attached. Which is another reason why you aren't given those kitties when you first start up.

so long post to say you need a warm safe place for them to be and time to love them (and clean up after them). It is oh so easy and so very rewarding to watch kittens grow into healthy self confident cats.

if the shelter or rescue does not provide food and litter, then you will need to provide that. Most take care of medical issues. Make sure you know what you will be responsible for. Find out what their policies as well as their emergancy policies are (because emergancies rarely happen when they are open)

If they do not provide medical care, then be very careful. Because sick kittens can quickly drain you financially. several trips to the vet, several different medications. etc. not all kittens get sick, but it is common.

URI is the most common. usually requires a little liquid medication given once or twice per day (depending on the medication of choice) Young kittens are usually very easy to medicate, especially with liquid. You just need to make sure they continue to eat and play. Any change in that behavior would warrent another trip back to the shelter for further treatment.

Questions? Just leave a comment, I'll be happy to answer them.

*head bang desk*

I swear one of these days I'm going to stop fostering. I love the challenge of taking care of neo-natal kittens, of sick kittens and kitties, I love watching them learn and grow, and teaching them about the world..

but the down side of dealing with the shelter sometimes really just causes me to go off the deep end.

It's mostly me. most reasonable people wouldn't have an issue with this (yes, I'm calling myself unreasonable - but hey at least I know it) but I care.. (ok I care too much)

I got a call yesterday about Benny. She's been vomiting. ooh.. big surprise. She was bored at my house and hyper grooming. she was brought over to the adoption center and stuck in a small little cage.. so I'm sure she was bored. while I was never officially asked, it very much sounded like they wanted me to take her back. I can't, as the room she was in is being used, and frankly she needs more than I can give her. Find her another foster home where she can interact with the people.. this is what she needs (short of finding her a home) Not to mention, if you are concerned about her blood sugars, YOU TEST HER!! um.. you have all the equiptment, and it isn't that hard.. I showed you how.. *sigh* I'm ranting. yes.. I know. I know testing is a new skill set, and I know it is intimidating for people who arent used to it..

*sigh*

then I tried to talk to them about Fleurp too. She's got puss in her ears and it has got to be running down the back of her throat because she swallows hard / makes vomiting motions sometimes. Her breathing is very hard. I don't believe it is a simple uri because she's active, eating, and shows no outward sign of illness (other than the heavy nasal breathing) I believe she's got a growth or something in her nasal passage or sinus cavety, and it is creating puss, and it is coming out her ears. Antibiotics helped the first time, and I believe they'll help her again this time (which is what they wanted me to do) but I do not believe it will remove the underlying cause of her issue. Once her round of antibiotics are done, it will come back. I want to be proactive. I want them to take her to someone who can look up her nose or in her ear and find out what is causing the puss.. but.. $$ is always an issue with a public (heck even a private) shelter, and antibiotics are cheap. specialists are expensive.

so all this stress (and the stress of dealing with sick kittens) caused me to have a pretty horrid dream last night (warning, it is horrid, so if you want to stop reading now that's ok) I had a large fish tank, and I bought three inch gold fish. I put them in the tank, keeping two out in a separate area. One of the two I kept separate wasn't doing well - a black and white fish - so I put it in the tank with the others. Soon afterwards the fish all started to die. the little black and white fish died near the pole for the water filtration system. I looked again, and the fish turned into a little black and white kitten (that looked like Happiness) with it's paws wrapped around the pole. I looked again, and the fish all turned into kittens. the one remaining fish/kitten was ok, but I was freaking out, and woke up before I did anything with it. I feared Happy had died over night, but she was ok. I guess I was just stressed that I wasn't getting my way with the shelter - which I need to learn to relax about. These kitties are not going to die because we do things the way the shelter wants and not the way I want. It really is ok.. *big deep breath* but I want them my way!!! rant rant rant

It helps to rant here.. sometiems I know I want the moon and it isn't available. and until I see that I'm asking for the moon.. I can't be that objective. I'll probably end up asking for the moon eventually, but I don't need to be there now.

two more?

ok, apparently the 2008 fostering season isn't over. Which is kinda interesting, because my foster room is an ice box now despite having a heater on in there..

I just got a request to take two 4-5 wk old kittens who are feral. They are a riot, so I probably will.

but what about Fluerp. I still can't face giving her back..

Getting along no longer necessary

This is a very sad post. Sorry.

Last night I woke up in the middle of the night Thursday night and just knew something was wrong. I went down to check on the kittens, and found the kitten I had introduced you to was having a very hard time breathing. I sat up with her most of the night, and tried to get her to eat, and tried to help her to breathe. After a couple of hours, I had to go back to bed. at four am I crawled back up to bed leaving the kit with her mom hoping that things would be ok. In the morning she was still breathing hard, and was turning blue. I rubbed her to get her going, and brought her to the shelter to get help. She went to a vet, and was diagnosed with pneumonia. I tried, but several hours later things were worse. She was cold, and breathing even slower. I tried to get mom involved, but she really wasn't interested in helping out. At 4:30 (after lots of involvement in between that I'm not posting about)I found her dead. completely devastating.

I could go on ranting about the horridness of the pet over population, and how this never should have happened in the first place, how the shelter is full, how there are too many cats and not enough homes, and how it is irresponsible for these cats to be allowed to stay in cages etc.. but I just don't have the heart. I'm broken. It takes a lot to rescue cats and know you can't save them all and still do it. and when you lose one so quickly, and there being nothing you can do.. ok, when I lose one so quickly and there is nothing I can do, I'm at a loss.

My last set of fosters went up for adoption today too. The tabby got adopted to an older woman who wanted a really spunky kitten to get along with her yr old cat and her GSD. She also adopted another yr old cat from the shelter at the same time. Hopefully things will go well.

My favorite of the tigers got adopted to another older woman who I think is a perfect fit. She said she was going to call her Mellow :)

Luna (aka Elle) couldn't be adopted today. I took her out of the cage when I got there, and found she had a HUGE hernia where her spay occurred. Something happened. It happened with the last set of mine that went to the same pet hospital. I wrote an email to the manager to let her know. I want to take it up with the vet, but I'm assuming it is not my place to do so. Makes me very unhappy though. later in the afternoon when I decided to go home, I took Luna out of the cage again to say good bye, and found that she had a HUGE bruise under the hernia. *sigh* I feel so bad leaving her there, but I don't think bringing her here would have been in her best interest either.

all too many times when I am dealing with rescue, I feel like I'm banging my head against the wall. I see them moving mountains in other areas, but when I advocate for something I'm put off. Just makes it hard.

I do have that second mother and her kit. they seem to be doing ok. Mom's third eyelid won't fully go down, but it hasn't since she gave birth.. she also seems to be blowing snot bubbles too, so I'll be keeping a good eye on her.. Got to love my web cam :)

Hey Mom, it's your Birthday!

So let me FINALLY come out of my shell, and POUND on the door and scream at you all night long..

OMG Bear was a total PITA last night.. he finally decided he wants out of his room - he must be feeling better - so he was pounding on the door and meowing. Fortunately his meow isn't that loud, and I FINALLY wised up and stuck a shirt in the door to make it tighter so it wouldn't bang against the frame. But twice in the night I got up and opened the door to see what his issue was. The first time he poked his head out then very cautiously walked down the hall. Ended up in the bathroom where we feed our cats. He was walking low to the ground, so he was still a little unsure of himself. He ran into my cats, started hissing, so I put him back. an hour later he started pounding again, so I opened up the door and this time he went very quickly in the other direction. I didn't want him to go into the room where I keep my rabbit, so I shut that door on him. He went and explored the back bathroom, then went back to the original bathroom. My cats hissed first this time, but he didn't slack off in that department, and after my last experience with Dovey I was a little reluctant to let them 'work it out' so I grabbed him and put him back, and in another hour he was pounding again - which is when I stuck the shirt in the door. He kept at it for a while, but it wasn't enough to really get to me. I had also gone in to visit him, and he was all up in my lap, licking me, and head butting me. OMG I could easily fall in love with this cat..

Speaking of Dovey, she went back to the shelter today. I felt so bad, but it needed to be done. Friday I took the kittens in to work... no wait, let me digress a little further. Kit has wanted to play with kittens since the last set went back, but I really didn't want to let the kittens out in the house, so I put her in the kitten room. Lovey didn't care but Dovey went off the deep end. Actually attacked Kit. Fortunately I was very quick to break them up, but she was quite upset for a while afterwards.

So I took the kittens to work on Friday, giving Lovey and Dovey some time alone. The kittens were very reluctant out and about, and overly concerned. Fern was fine and quite the little show off, but the rest would have rather gone home. So sad. they are going to have such a hard time with adoption.. *shrug* they'll get over it.

When I brought them home, Dovey once again went off the deep end. Growling and hissing and spitting at the kits. I tried to corral her to try to calm her down, but my attempts only sent her further off into la la land. I was actually afraid of her. I finally got her, and locked her up in the cage. I called the shelter to see if I could bring her in, and they said I could, but I then thought a little better of it and thought I'd let her calm down a bit. After an hour or so she was eating treats out of my hand, but overly concerned and growling when I showed her a kitten of either her litter or Lovey's. I took all of the kits weights and emailed the shelter asking to bring some of them back, and told them how Dovey was done being a mom. They told me to bring her back right away, and I have Huckleberry, Bilberry and Azalea scheduled for surgery on Wednesday. I am not a fan of doing this, splitting up groups, but I am getting horribly overwhelmed with them all and Bear.

Dovey did not take well to the shelter. I was able to capture her pretty easily but not with out some torbi-tude. When I got there, she was shedding up the wazoo, and her eyes were as big as saucers. I gave her some food and tried to comfort her, but then again she was never my biggest fan.

I checked up on Licorice while I was there. He's still there. very mellow boy. However he's either got a food allergy or ear mites pretty badly. His ears were a MESS and he was tearing them up as well as the back of his head. I know that it is hard with so many cats, but you'd think they'd take a short amount of time and touch each one each day or two.. Yes, I'm ranting, I just feel bad for him.

ok so I feel bad for all of them, but some adjust to shelter life better than others. It is a crying shame there aren't homes for all of them.

what really got me thought was a pair of kittens they had in the manager's office. OMG they were so full of personality that I was drawn to them before I even knew they were there! So brighht eyed and social. the one (they were both black and white) that I saw first had six toes on each back foot. The other bit is that he had one foot all bandaged up, and the other was bent inward at a 45 degree angle. The other had both front feet bandaged up. I will admit they looked a little pathetic, but I didn't feel sorry for either one of them. They were just so happy and wanted attention. I wanted so badly to take them home, but I'm stretched pretty thinly at this point that I didn't think it was fair to anyone. but I so totally want!!

Reese was Reece and is now Roxanne

Well the transport went well. We got her all bundled up in a big ol crate. Got out of the house, immediately had to turn around because we forgot something, then started back out again. Reese immediately started drooling.. poor thing. She didn't much like it either. We realized we put the cage in the truck backwards, so we stopped at the first convenient place and turned it around so I could have access to her. I got her cleaned up and we started off again.

Before we even got on the highway, she lost control of her bowels, and I had to clean that up. Fortunately I noticed it right away and so there for the car didn't stink up. Right after I got that cleaned up, I noticed she was about to hurl, so I quickly got the blankets out of there, and she vomited on the plastic bottom - very easy to clean up. Put the blankets back in, cleaned up more drool, covered the cage again, and tried to get her to settle. She didn't settle in the dark, she didn't settle with the cover off, she didn't settle if I held her, so I put her back in the cage and covered it. She'd whine on and off, and each time she did she was covered with drool so I kept cleaning her off.

My part of the journey was about 2 hours. Met up with the second leg of the journey and did the hand off in the mall parking lot. It was amusing. Just the whole thing..

Reese became Reece because I typoed.. Carolyn - her new mom - liked that spelling better, but then once she met Reece, realized that it really wasn't her name. I knew that from the begining. She came up with Roxanne. I like it.

Roxanne charmed absolutely everyone on the trip. She is an absolute belly slut, LOVES to roll over and present the belly for patting. Greeted everyone with affection and interest. She had a three part journey down to meet her mom, who traveled up and was staying in a hotel - so she had another journey the next day to get home. She also went on a few visits while she was in the area - other members of the felinediabetes.com website who lived in the area who wanted to meet up.

She got home and met her new 'brother' Niko. Like at my house, she ate his food, played with his toys, and just sauntered around like "ok, what's next?" Niko apparently was not impressed with her charms, as he was bullied in the past by a girl kitty. From the description of the meeting, he was completely unimpressed and would slink away quitely after she came around. I'm sure once he realizes that Roxanne isn't the kitty from his past, they'll become fast friends.
~

Licorice is a very interesting case for me. I'm not quite sure what to do with him. He goes off his food every couple of days - although he's stayed with the M/D dry for a week now. I've offered him multiple varieties of canned food, treats, and even the raw I feed my own cats - all he turns his nose up at. Now that he's been shaved, he's slowly putting on weight, a couple ounces here a loss there a few more ounces here, but its frustrating.

I am working on gaining his trust again. I know I know.. I'm obsessive about mats and removing them, and he's totally ok with leaving them right where they are "thank you very much" or at least I should say he absolutely does not want me to pull them off. I can't help myself! I need MA - mats annonomous. Hello, my name is Connie, and I have a problem :D

DH and I spent some time with him last night. He wanted attention but wasn't sure I wasn't going to tug at his fur. So he stood just at arms length. I'm sure if I can just restrain myself he'll be back to his "PAT ME" ways.

I guess I'm also not used to how much food ONE adult cat eats. I'm expecting them to both (Lic and Boots) to eat way more than they do. They both eat about a handful of dry a day. Which after watching my six pigs and room fulls of kittens eat, seems like nothing.

So I guess Lic is my life lesson in patience and just letting nature take its course. *sigh* I am really not good at that.

updates

So, I go and get "Reese" the diabetic cat. She's cute, and sweet, and a belly slut. She has more fur than a bear, and loves rolling around on the floor and picking up dust and debris for me.







I didn't have any test strips, so I followed the shelter's regime for her for three days. Got test strips, tested with the control - got 114. tested her, got 74. No insulin. Licorice still wasn't home from being shaved, so I gave her only the prescribed foods. tested in the morning, under 100 - no insulin. Kept on prescribed foods. Licorice came home that night. Gave some different canned food. tested in am, under 100 no insluin. Gave regular ol dry food that licorice liked, still under 100. Stopped testing. Tested a few days later, still under 100. I have NO idea what is going on with her, but that's ok.

Cause I found her a home. I post on a board about diabetic kitties, and before I had even posted a pict of her, she had a home. :) now it is in Virginia, so getting her there is going to be interesting. we've lined up four people to chain her down there. We are driving her to MA on Saturday.

Licorice is doing very well with his silly shaved tushie too. I think he's a bit embarassed by it, but since he's feeling better, he's eating better and slowly putting on weight.






Boots however is a completely different story. I don't know what to do with him. He has allergies to something, so I didn't feed him any beef products.. although I'm sure the food probably has some beef in it, because he's got scabs on his upper body, and the space between his ears and his eyes are all red and scratched up. His eyes are also a little inflamed. Not my cat, so I'm kinda limited in what I can do. His owner has brought him to the vet, and they've given him cortisone shots for it.. but apparently no one has thought to put him on an ingredient restricted diet. how can a vet not have suggested that?!?! he's with me for a little over a month more. I tried again to introduce him to my crew, but he is steadfast against it. It was a riot watching him hiss at Eli Kit and Jack. Kit just thought it was fascinating - but then she thinks EVERYTHING is fascinating. Jack had this look on his face like "Hey! that is MY line!!" and after getting hissed at three times hissed back. :) Eli just kept reaching out to Boots, as if to say, don't worry, it's all good, but boots wasn't buying it.. so he's still locked up in the office. Muffin is very determined to get in there, knowing there is gushy food in there.. Kit made a break for it this morning too, trying to rush past me.. was just too cute!

I wish there were more hours in the day to give everyone all kinds of love..

but now the shelter wants me to take more Bunnies. I'm going to look at them tonight, and will probably bring them home.. but OMG, my life will be overwhelmed if I do!

time for another update

Well Em's weight went on to beyond 10lbs. got her up to 10lbs 10 oz.. i was over the freakin moon. Unfortunately in one night it dropped to 10lbs 1 oz. I don't know why, and I can't get it back up. I had gotten more dewormer for her to give to her today, but when it dropped I gave it to her then.

I am getting a little lax on her thyroid medication. She was doing so well and gaining so well, I thought it wasn't necessary. Im still not convinced it is, but Im back on making sure I give it to her morning AND night.

Her BGs are driving me batty! back under 100 this morning .. 54 I believe was the number, while tonight it was just about 400. *sigh* Not going to worry about that... just going to treat and be happy that I can.

*knock wood* we haven't had a nose bleed since a week ago Sunday. I've seen blood around, but no bleeding episodes. I cut back on her pred to 1 tab this morning. I might fluxuate from 1 to 1.5 every other day to see if she holds steady, then cut back to just 1.

Muffin is driving me to the end of my rope. twice last night she 'broke in' to Em's room (where Em's special food is - since Em won't eat the food everyone else gets) Made me get up in the middle of the freakin night to "smack her little tushie". the first time she made me chase her all around the house, the second time she KNEW to head straight for the basement (aka punishment) I ignored her all morning too. Sometimes the cold shoulder treatment works, sometimes not. Depends on how stubborn she's being... and suprisingly she can be as stubborn as I am!

I went into the shelter on Saturday to see if there were any kittens. There weren't. Probably a good thing. After I left I got a call saying some came in. a barely pregnant cat, and a pack of sickly 3 week old kittens. Now I'm probably going to be blasted, but it upsets me that the shelter wastes resources, and the mom cat's time being in foster care when it could be spayed and put out to be adopted. I love kittens as much as the next person, probably more, but why put the mom cat through a pregnancy if she's just barely pregnant.. *sigh* Very far along I understand.. I called back about the sickly kittens. I am scared to bring anything in the house, but I am jonesing for kittens kinda bad. Well I waited till the morning.. and by doing so, I missed one of them as they died. Again, probably a good thing that I didn't get them in my house.. I don't know if I could handle that right now..