Tales and Tails: Monthly cat stories shared by cat lovers

Today in Tales and Tails: Foster home for cats

In a world where animal lovers want to make a difference in the lives of homeless cats and kittens, there are people like Carla, who provide a warm home for these fluffy creatures in need. In the section 'Tales & Tails,' we take an in-depth look into the life of Carla, a dedicated foster carer for cats and kittens, and discover how she welcomes these beautiful creatures with open arms into her home.

What Does Being a Foster Family Mean?
Carla explains that her role as a foster family involves helping the shelter by caring for kittens and sometimes adult cats who need extra attention and care. She provides a home where these animals can grow up lovingly. "I can watch the kittens closely for many hours a day, which is very important, especially when they are still young. They need to be socialized in a home environment and get used to life in a family," says Carla.

The Joy of Being a Foster Family
Carla thoroughly enjoys her role as a foster family. She testifies to how wonderful it is to see the kittens develop and form their own personalities. "It is amazing to know that these kittens have been 'rescued' and will soon find loving homes," she says with a smile.

A Day in the Life of a Foster Family
Carla's days are often busy and hectic. Besides her work in healthcare, she greets the kittens as soon as she gets home. The living room then turns into a play paradise for these playful little creatures. She feeds them, lets them out of the crate to play, and makes sure they can rest on time in their safe spot. The kittens' daily schedule revolves around eating, sleeping, and playing, and Carla ensures they are well monitored. They are regularly weighed to track their development. Vet visits are also on the agenda to make sure the kittens are vaccinated, chipped, and spayed or neutered.

How Many Kittens Is Carla Currently Caring For?
Currently, Carla has no less than fifteen animals in the house, two of which are her own. She cares for a mother cat with her three little ones, a litter of four kittens without a mother, and another mother cat with four kittens in her son's playroom. It is cramped and busy, but Carla has found ways to take care of them.

Kitten Season
This year has been busier than ever, according to Carla. She has taken in more kittens and mother cats found on the street than in previous years. Kitten season is a challenging time during which the number of found cats and kittens increases dramatically.

How Do Kittens End Up in a Foster Home?
In May, the so-called "kitten rush" begins, during which animal shelters set up special cages to catch cats and kittens. Pregnant cats that end up in the shelter give birth there, and tame cats hopefully find new homes. Wild cats are sterilized and released back into nature. However, the biggest problem is the number of abandoned cats and kittens, because people are sometimes unaware of the responsibility that comes with having pets.

How Can the Problem of Homeless Cats Be Prevented
Carla emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for pets. She advocates timely sterilization to prevent unwanted litters. Moreover, the capture moments for wild cats are very important to control their population.

The Support of Carla's Family
While Carla's husband is not a big cat lover, he appreciates the joy Carla gets from her work. Her little son Owen, on the other hand, is a true animal lover and helps enthusiastically. Loena, Carla's cat, has to get used to the presence of strange cats, but as long as they are left alone, she tolerates them. Lana, the dog, seems to be fine with everything, even if she is occasionally pushed off her cushion.

Adoption and Forever Homes
When the kittens are old enough to find their "forever home," Carla assesses potential adoptive parents to ensure they are suitable. She notes that she can usually tell quite quickly if someone is the right match for a cat or kitten.

Carla's dedication and passion for helping cats and kittens are inspiring. She, along with many other foster families, plays a crucial role in giving these animals a second chance and a loving home. It is a beautiful example of how ordinary people can make a difference in the lives of animals in need.