# I have a new fosterling **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 16, 2023, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-fosterling/994679 "2023-12-16T05:00:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-fosterling/994679/1 "2023-12-16T05:00:29Z")
I alternate between calling her Sweetie and Little Cutie. She’s a neighborhood cat, someone’s pet I’m sure, but always very friendly towards me. Tonight, the temp is already down to the mid-twenties Fahrenheit, so I invited her in to my house. She’s quite skinny, and Hungry! but doesn’t feel emaciated. When I returned from the store to get some cat litter and food, she ran out, paused and then ran back in. I think she just wanted to make sure she could. She seems a bit restless, maybe nervous, but not disruptively so, not yet anyway. Anyhoo, she has a comfy hidey-hole she doesn’t seem inclined to use, food and water and a temporary cat box. We’ll see how it goes through the night. Here are a few pics of my guest exploring Vaderlings shoes, eating and declining to acquiescing to use the comfy-hidey hole I provided. Aarrrgh the li’l Pirate! > **[IMG-2395 hosted at ImgBB](https://ibb.co/V39x2kc)** > > Image IMG-2395 hosted in ImgBB > **[IMG-2394 hosted at ImgBB](https://ibb.co/YRT0Y7f)** > > Image IMG-2394 hosted in ImgBB > **[IMG-2393 hosted at ImgBB](https://ibb.co/wJKG62S)** > > Image IMG-2393 hosted in ImgBB > **[IMG-2392 hosted at ImgBB](https://ibb.co/0h4J6tL)** > > Image IMG-2392 hosted in ImgBB ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-fosterling/994679/2 "2023-12-16T05:05:57Z")
That’s a nice fluffy tail she’s got on her! This cat is 100% from someone’s house. She looks pretty young, and very much at home. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-fosterling/994679/3 "2023-12-16T05:07:18Z")
That’s very kind of you. I ended up with a keeper after a similar situation. I hope it works out for all concerned. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-fosterling/994679/4 "2023-12-16T05:13:19Z")
Shocked, _Shocked!_ to see this isn’t a Granny Becky thread. She’ll take in every old thing. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-fosterling/994679/5 "2023-12-16T05:13:29Z")
Yeah, I have a few neighbors first on my list to check with tomorrow. If that doesn’t pan out I’ll take her in to get checked for a chip and then go from there. It’s not out of the question for her to be an abandoned cat. Wouldn’t be the first kitten I’ve adopted that way if she is. Beck can’t be allowed to have all the fun Gato, she’s gots ta let some of us minions and underlings and other subjects have a few crumbs of our own sometimes. Otherwise we get a stinky-tude and start to revolting, like little boys playing hard on a hot summer day. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-fosterling/994679/6 "2023-12-16T05:19:21Z")
Hey, I’m of the opinion that unless someone’s out there frantically searching, the person who won’t let a cat stay out all night in freezing temps is the one who should keep her! ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-fosterling/994679/7 "2023-12-16T05:52:50Z")
I agree. Would have kept a couple last year who showed up on my patio in literally sub-freezing temperatures, but one just couldn’t get along with the established cats and the established two puts me at my lease limit. I did find foster care for them, and have since received updates that both were spayed when appropriate and quickly found forever homes afterward. @DorkVader, too bad you don’t live near me. I own a chip scanner. About $20 on Amazon, and given how enthusiastically the Universal Cat Distribution System keeps sending them my way, it’s helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-fosterling/994679/8 "2023-12-16T06:16:57Z")
Hey. Have your cat. I decree it yours. (Unless he’s already a cute ol’Grannys missing babykins) Really cute.(the kitty I mean) ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-fosterling/994679/9 "2023-12-16T09:24:55Z")
Kitty! Very cool pattern on the left flank - sort of reminds me of pepe lew pew. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-fosterling/994679/10 "2023-12-16T11:09:20Z")
There are two kinds of cats: 1. Pink-nosed cats 2. Non-pink nosed cats. Pink is cutest. Yours is pink. Therefor, the law requires that you adopt her. Do not break the law. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-fosterling/994679/11 "2023-12-16T12:49:42Z")
Thank you for fostering. mmm ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-fosterling/994679/12 "2023-12-16T13:01:51Z")
**SIGH!** The night went pretty well from _her_ pov. Little Miss Sweetie Pie(bald) The Pillow Pirate has definitely been to Sing-a-purr as evidenced by her deft mastery of “pins and needles” milk treading demonstrated on my scalp and the treasure map of Australia on her left side as noted by Die Capacitrix above. I didn’t get much good sleep. > **[IMG-2396 hosted at ImgBB](https://ibb.co/hBwp3c0)** > > Image IMG-2396 hosted in ImgBB ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-fosterling/994679/13 "2023-12-16T20:33:48Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > I ended up with a keeper after a similar situation. Yeah, one of mine meowed at the door late in the afternoon of a day with a weather forecast of below zero F for the coming night. I never did find out where he came from, though I tried. But he didn’t have a barn cat’s super thick winter coat on. And he was used to coming into a house. > [@DorkVader](#): > > I have a few neighbors first on my list to check with tomorrow. If that doesn’t pan out I’ll take her in to get checked for a chip and then go from there. Looks like a plan. Has she already reached the point of your hoping you don’t find her people, or that if you do they don’t want to keep her? (Cold Night Cat took about one day, for me.) ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2023, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-fosterling/994679/14 "2023-12-17T01:27:50Z")
Well, she was at that point pretty much right away. However, she does belong to a neighbor. It’s sort of bitter sweet. She’s cute and smart and clingy. Everywhere I went(except outdoors) she went. I only had to lift her off the kitchen surfaces a few times and she stopped getting on them and Dread Pillow Pirate Miss Sweetie Pie(bald) is a pretty cool formal title. I didn’t really want the responsibilities of another pet though. My pet days are over, for now anyway. Eh, she’ll be back to visit. She was not interested in being an outdoor cat one bit. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2023, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-fosterling/994679/15 "2023-12-18T00:42:54Z")
> [@DorkVader](#): > > She was not interested in being an outdoor cat one bit. Did the neighbor have her outside on purpose? And are they feeding her enough? though some cats just are skinny. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2023, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-fosterling/994679/16 "2023-12-18T01:02:19Z")
Thank you for this. We just rescued an older cat. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2023, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-fosterling/994679/17 "2023-12-18T12:30:21Z")
Yes, she is(at their house) an innie/outtie cat.(I suspect mostly outdoor myself) Are they feeding her enough? I don’t know, as you said, some cats are just skinny. I don’t think that the neighbor or his daughters are deliberately abusing the cat. I just think that he is the sort that doesn’t look at animals as thinking, feeling beings with personalities and so his girls view animals that way also. The sad thing is, there is (or was)at least one person in the area who traps and gets rid of cats and there are several birds of prey in the area that will carry off a cat. That one I’ve seen happen. There are a few outdoor cats in my neighbourhood, but not as many as there used to be in decades past. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2023, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-fosterling/994679/18 "2023-12-18T17:21:31Z")
> [@DorkVader](#): > > I don’t think that the neighbor or his daughters are deliberately abusing the cat. Yeah, I’ve definitely run into that one. I suspect the cat would rather live with you. However, maybe having your place as an occasional refuge will suffice. Check your doors on cold nights, and lay in some cat food. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2024, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-fosterling/994679/19 "2024-01-27T21:07:32Z")
An Update; as predicted, the cat I sheltered came by for a visit today. She brought a friend, and a curious change of behavior. I’m not actually sure if the little tabby was a friend or just a new (to me) cat in the neighborhood. I’m also not sure if the tabby was a boy or a girl(didn’t bother trying to look). The tabby was curious, friendly but somewhat skittish, interested in exploring. Didn’t seem interested in moving in though. Little Miss Thang! in the other hand came right in and went straight to where the food and water were kept during the short time she stayed with me. She has also lost some of her friendly demeanour and gained a collar. Pets and chin scratches are okay but the second I went to pick her up she went all growly and claws out bitey. Radically different behaviour from last time. I now do wonder if she’s been “disciplined” at home. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2024, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-fosterling/994679/20 "2024-01-27T23:05:47Z")
Could you tell whether there was any contact info on the collar? ETA: never mind, I just looked back in the thread and realized you’d already figured out which humans think she’s their cat. The new spookiness is unnerving. Some cats are like that to start with; but for a cat who previously was fine being held to now act panicky about it does seem to imply that something unpleasant was done to her while she was held. Could the “little” tabby be a kitten of hers? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-fosterling/994679.md?page=2)