by Jill McWhinnie

When Marguerite, my 13-year-old cat, died two years ago I decided that was it. No more cats.

I was able to convince myself that not having a cat in the house had its advantages - no food dishes on the floor, no forgotten cans of Fishy Feast mouldering in the fridge, no litter pans. I thought my decision was final. Then why was I lingering over cat calendars in card shops, re-watching the funny cat videos on my workplace e-mail and almost reaching for the little paper phone number tags on kitten ads posted at the supermarket?

Was it time for another cat?  Much as I was tempted, I still didn’t feel ready for another full-time feline. Enter the fostering program of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals York Region Branch. 

“Fostering allows kittens who are not ready to be adopted because they are too immature or cats who need specialized care to be given a short-term placement until they are ready for adoption to a permanent home,” said Gerri Findlay, co-ordinator of animal care at the OSPCA’s Mohill Adoption Centre at the Newmarket facility.

“The main reason for  the program is so kittens receive proper socialization. It’s critical that kittens between the ages of two weeks and eight weeks be handled frequently and get used to being around humans in a home environment. It greatly increases their chances for adoption.”

I asked Gerri what kind of people would make good kitten foster parents. “Families, single people, retiree…we match the animal to the individual’s home circumstances and personality.” To ensure the best possible match, a home visit and interview is conducted. “We see where the kitten(s) will be staying – it’s important they  be  enclosed in their own space, with their litter tray close by, and that they’re separated from other pets in the home. “

The foster parent’s experience with cats and their fostering preferences are discussed. Would they recognize symptoms of illness or distress in a kitten or cat?  Would they consider fostering a mom with kittens or orphaned newborns? How would they handle the “attachment” factor when it came time to return the  kittens to the shelter?

“I’ve been fostering for 20 years,” said Gerri. “The first time I had to give the kitten back I cried – it was devastating. But it helps  knowing  that they’re going back to the shelter to get a permanent home.”

The fostering program also helps relieve the pressure of cat overcrowding at the OSPCA shelter. The facility has space for 300 cats and is presently at capacity. “Summer is the peak season and kittens came in this year like water out of a tap,” said Gerri. “It’s all the staff and volunteers at the shelter can do to feed the animals and clean the cages. There just isn’t time to give kittens the individual attention they require to be properly socialized.”

More foster parents are desperately needed. There are currently only about 25 foster homes on the roster and Gerri’s goal is to greatly  increase that number. “We’re hoping to expand the volunteer base tremendously. Anyone who’d like to get involved in fostering is invited to come to the shelter and fill out an application.”

I decided fostering was  exactly what I’d been looking for. I filled out the application and became the official foster mom of Brady, a peppy, miniature tabby tiger and his best friend Hope, a shy, pure black sweetie with a white bib under her chin. Both kittens are about 6 weeks old.

All the needed supplies were provided – litter tray and litter, food, cat carrier,  instructions for care and feeding  and numbers to call for advice or in case of  emergency. As we drove home it dawned on me that it had been 15 years since I’d looked after kittens. I felt a bit like an empty nester who suddenly has two new babies to contend with.

I installed them in the “kitten room” and placed the litter tray in a corner. No worries there – they knew exactly what they needed to do.  They nibbled at some food and then promptly retreated under a cabinet.

A simple, home-made cat toy – a piece of string tied around a tiny bit of newspaper - dragged slowly along the floor in front of the cabinet finally lured them from their  hiding place. They chased the string and pounced on the bit of paper.  Socialization had begun!

Day by day, they become a little more confident and adventurous - exploring their world, attacking chair legs, and at the same time becoming more accepting of the humans around them and more tolerant of human touch.

Fostering kittens isn’t easy -  they require a great deal of time, attention and care. As I look around there’s kitten chow on the kitchen floor,  a big bag of kitty litter in the corner and sheets draped over the living room furniture. But tonight the kittens are sleeping, warm and content on my lap, and there is the barely audible sound of Brady purring.

An old saying comes to mind - “A new kitten will turn your house upside down and at the same time make everything seem right.”

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