Tales and Tails: Monthly cat stories shared by cat lovers

Today in Tales and Tails: Guest family 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 offer a warm home to these fluffy creatures in need. In the feature ‘Tales & Tails,’ we take an in-depth look into the life of Carla, a dedicated foster parent for cats and kittens, and discover how she welcomes these beautiful creatures into her home with open arms.

What
does being a host family entail?

Carla explains that her role as a host family involves helping the shelter
take care of kittens and sometimes adult cats that need extra attention and
care. She offers a home where these animals can grow up lovingly. "I can
keep a close eye on the kittens for many hours a day, which is very important,
especially when they are still young. They need to be socialized in a homely
environment and get used to living in a family," says Carla.

The
Joy of Being a Host Family

Carla enjoys her role as a host family to the fullest. She testifies to how
wonderful it is to see how the kittens develop and develop their own
personalities. "It's great 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 Homestay

Carla's days are often busy and hectic. In addition to her work in care,
she greets the kittens as soon as she comes home. The living room then turns
into a play paradise for these playful creatures. She feeds them, lets them out
of the crate to play, and makes sure they can rest in their safe place in time.
The kittens' daily schedule revolves around eating, sleeping and playing, and
Carla makes sure they're closely monitored. They are regularly weighed to
monitor their development. Vet visits are also on the agenda to ensure that the
kittens are vaccinated, microchipped and sterilised.

How
many kittens does Carla currently take care of?

Carla currently has no less than fifteen animals in the house, two of which
are their own. She takes care of 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's cramped and crowded, but Carla has found
ways to take care of them.

Kitten
Season

This year was busier than ever, according to Carla. She has taken in more
kittens and mother cats that were found on the streets than in previous years.
Kitten season is a challenging time when the number of cats and kittens found
increases dramatically.

How
Do Kittens End Up in a Homestay?

In May, the so-called "kitten stampede," in 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. Feral
cats are sterilized and returned to the wild. However, the biggest problem is
the number of dumped cats and kittens, as people are sometimes unaware of the
responsibility that comes with having pets.

How
to Prevent the Problem of Homeless Cats

Carla emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for pets. She
argues for timely sterilization to prevent unwanted litters. Moreover, the
catching moments for wild cats are of great importance 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 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 pillow.

Adoption
and Forever Home

When the kittens are old enough to find their "forever home",
Carla assesses potential adoptive parents to make sure they are suitable. She
notes that she can usually tell pretty 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 host families, plays a crucial role in giving these animals a
second chance and a loving home. It's a great example of how ordinary people
can make a difference in the lives of animals that need it.