After Hoshi passed, I felt an emense emptiness in the house. This is the first time I’ve been alone for over 2 decades. Everyone told me to go get another cat. But for me, it’s not that simple. My pets are not simply animal companions. They are a life commitment; they are family. I need to make sure the adoption is a good fit for both of us. When Hoshi and Lilly were in their senior years, there had been opportunities for me to bring other animals into the house, but I had to consider the dynamic. Would it be a fit for Hoshi and Lilly?

There are so many fur babies that need a good home and I would love to help them find good homes. Currently, I have a home where I can help a fur baby thrive, grow, and learn to be a companion. That is the goal of a Fur Foster Parent. One day, I will bring in another forever fur baby. My baby may be a cat or a dog. I did not want to have a dog when I lived in an apartment. I wanted my dog to have a back yard to play in. I also did not want to leave a dog all day in the yard when I was at work, or locked up in the house. In my past lifestyle, cats provided the best fit for fur babies. Regardless of the forever fur baby, I think I’ll still want to be able to foster.

This is my first foray into fostering, but the concept of how to bring home and introduce a cat is the same regardless of if the cat is a foster or a forever baby. Prepare an area where the kitty can hide away for a few days. Some people use a bathroom. I recommend taking all medicines and soaps out of the bathroom, making sure the toilet cannot be opened. Ensure the bathroom is large enough for the food and water to be on one side and the litter on the other. A night light is helpful. Yes, cats can see in the dark, but a soft light is helpful for you.

I converted my guest bedroom into a Kitty Sanctuary. While the room may look nice, nothing in this room is something I would miss if it were destroyed. The goal of the room is for the foster kitties to have a secure place to go to where they can call their own. They will spend their first week in this room simply getting to know the sounds and smells of the house. They will get to know me as I come in and clean the litter and give them food and water. And eventually, they will get used to me as I spend time in the room, coaxing them out to play. The following video takes you on a tour of the kitty sanctuary.