Thursday, March 23, 2023

Getting to Know Them

I believe that fostering is an important factor is making an adoption work. The foster-guardian comes to know an animal - in my case, a cat - and sees what her character is like, sees her preferences, sees what she does and can do.


I have had this belief reinforced in my association with Imogen. She is now out and about in the Cosy Apartment all the time. When she first came to me, I wondered if that would be possible. She had, in her previous life, so far as is known, never met another cat; she certainly acted like it. We thought initially that Imo would not be able to live with other cats. But since she was first allowed out of her safe-room, the library, and especially now that she is free both while I am asleep and absent, I have learned much about her.


Miss Silky Black can indeed live with other cats. Right now, I would recommend older, largely sedentary cats who are apathetic to other felines. That describes Renn and Neville well. They tolerate other cats - eventually - but are uninterested in spending time with them. Imogen wouldn’t come near them at first, ‘near’ being within twenty feet. She would hiss at them from across the room.



Now, she will pass by them with inches to spare. She doesn’t care for such proximity, it’s true. She still hisses. On the other hand, I recently watched her sneak past the Nevsky. The latter had his back turned and Imo had to work up the nerve to slip by him in the doorway he was blocking. About half a dozen aborted attempts led to a quick burst through the available space. Nev was barely cognizant of the successful passage. But it represented another step forward for Imogen, who previously would have sat and waited interminably for the way to be clear.



She was also quite active this morning, rushing about while I prepared to leave for work. She has started using the nylon tunnel as a ‘secret’ corridor. She runs at speed up Minuet’s cat-tree in the library and trots across the tops of the bookcases. She explores the bathroom to see what changed over-night. Will she do this every morning? Perhaps not, but I suspect she is more energetic than I originally believed. She is, after all, only about four years old.


All of this tells us not just about the cat, but about what person would be right to adopt her, and what sort of home she would find comfortable. She can live with older cats who want nothing to do with her. That increases greatly the number of homes into which she could be placed, as opposed to going only to those with no other cats. Could she live with younger, more exuberant cats? Could she find that she would like a feline roommate? These are questions that might never be answered. If they are, though, it will be because Imogen is being fostered.


Yes, fostering is an important factor is making an adoption work. It’s also fun for the human involved, as he comes to know the cat in his care.


13 comments:

  1. I've said many times before...well a few anyway..! :).
    You really are amazing guy John...to foster, bring
    up a pussy~cat in your own home, to experience
    the warmth and friendship of said cat..and then
    do something l'm afraid l could'nt do, let that said
    cat off to another home...but...then l suppose you
    have that satisfaction of providing that cat with the
    love and warmth of a home, ready for it's move to
    a home that you are satisfied is right for said cat...!
    HeHe! God! I wish l could do that...
    But! Then! As a Sicilian and we are a very emotional
    race of people..we would find it very difficult to let go
    of something we love and treasure...!

    HeHe! Love that Neville...like myself he's a number
    one poser...! Bless him..!x

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  2. You personally get up close and fun learning about your fosters.

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  3. I, as I mentioned yesterday love seeing her blossom and grow into the cat she was made to be...fun loving, adventurous and inquisitive. AND loving.

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  4. You know, I hadn't really thought of fostering that way, but you're right: it's a great boon for potential cat adopters to know in advance what exactly the cat's personality and quirks are. Thanks to you, it sounds like Imogen is really coming into her own as someone any "cat person" would love to adopt.

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  5. Imogen sounds like she will be a delight to whomever is blessed to b e her future 'slaves'.

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  6. As I've commented before, Imogen is in the bestest place!

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  7. It is also good for us, your readers to see how Imogen is blossoming, and also the development of all the cats that come into your care.

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  8. I do believe she is now coming into her own and out of her shell more and more each day as she relaxes and feel more confident!

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  9. You do such an amazing job with all of those sweeties, they are fortunate to have you in their lives.

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  10. It sounds like Imogen is adapting well to the Cosy Apartment and the perma-cats. Your thoughts about fostering are correct, but I'm like Willie - I'd be a "foster failure". I'd be unable to let the cat go.

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  11. John, you have a marvelous way with kitties. Somehow the way you are making an adoption work it sounds like " a match maker " tee..heh

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    1. With our rescue-group, Mr Puddy, it's very much like match-making. We interview the potential adopter, visit their home, try to match the right cat with the right human so that both will be happy. I hope you are feeling better, Mr Puddy...

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  12. Lucky Imogen to be in your home. I do hope she finds her forever home soon.

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