Three years ago we got two kittens from a small farm (more like a smallholding) in a nearby village (in Poland). They were about 9-10 weeks old and transitioned immediately. Luckily they seemed to be house-trained. Since they were litter mates, and siblings or half-siblings, they got on fine with each other. The first we thing we did was to fit them out with flea collars, and then took them to the vet for a checkup. We also had them neutered at about eight months.
The male cat disappered a year after we got him. He was very approachable, so he could have been stolen - there used to be stray cats around our semi-rural area, and people adopted them. Either that, or he met a fox. We see foxes walk through the garden occasionally. The other (female) cat moped visibly.
We made some inquiries and got another cat about six months later. This one was about seven months old and already neutered. It was another female, and took a while to get used to my our first cat. It was evidently more of a house cat and remarkably placid about noises. The farm cat is a better hunter and has hair-trigger reflexes, but has turned out to be a very friendly cat that likes to be indoors.However, neither cat would stand being indoors all the time.
So, you might be fine with a farm cat. But in my experience it is best to get two. They are company for each other. Sometimes cats like to be almost human, sometimes they like to be cats, and that is easier if there are two of them. So, just keep trying.
Dot was foster with likelihood to adopt
Sammy was our most recent foster, our unexpected foster and our foster fail. We use the same term.
Of the dozens of kittens we fostered, twice 4 at once. We did lose one. The poor thing was sickly when we got her and the shelter said they messed up fostering her out. That was heartbreaking.
Dot was touch and go. She was only 4 weeks old, so bottlefed. She had respiratory so we would put her in a covered cage twice a day and nebulize her. She pulled through and is about 11 now.
We lost 2 over the years (I should say my wife did; she does 99% of the work— I feed them every once in awhile, and it’s fun to watch them play and play with them). One had a neurological disorder and couldn’t walk. I can’t remember what was wrong with the other one.
Once she fostered a male calico-- which is extremely rare. Only 1 out of every 3000 cats born is a male calico.
If you’re on FB, look up your local cat rescue. I got to TNR ferals for barn cats from them a year ago, and they love finding indoor homes. In my area there’s also a woman who is constantly trying to find homes for kittens - she helps out several feral colonies and traps pregnant cats when possible. Raises the kittens indoors and if the momma cat is tame enough, adopts out her, too.
Well, the Shelter Gods must have heard me complaining. Yesterday, while my partner and I were in town, one of the shelters called and said they’d approved my application. They even had a time open that afternoon for us to come in and look at the kitties. There was one in particular that I had seen online that I was interested in but it turned out she has chronic health issues. After nursing a sick cat for over two years, I wasn’t quite ready to take that on.
After much discussion, we adopted a 2 month old male black and white kitten and a seven month old pure black male juvenile cat. They already got along with each other so we knew they’d be okay together at home. The kitten, now named Dave, is feisty and adorable, just like you’d expect. Cleo, the older male, is very shy. He’s been hiding under the bookcase in my office since we brought them home. They said it might take him a long time to feel comfortable. That’s fine with me. I’m in no hurry; he can take all the time he needs. It’s clear that they both ate and used the litter box las night; currently Dave is asleep in the kitty condo next to my desk, having exhausted himself this morning exploring my desk, biting my pen, and chasing flies on the windowsill. It’s very nice to have a lively kitten in the house again.
Yes, I am aware of the Board’s requirement to post pictures! I am using my office computer, so I can’t access any of the photo-sharing sites but I will post a photo of Dave as soon as I get on my personal computer. As for a picture of Cleo, that may take some time.
But jayrey cares about Cleo’s happiness and doesn’t want to startle him with the flash.
Sounds like everything’s going quite well! I bet Cleo’s sneaking out and exploring in the middle of the night when he thinks the humans are asleep. And three cheers for taking two!
Okay, I’m not sure this worked but, as promised, here are pictures of my new house panther and one with his liitle brother. Cleo’s name is now officially Coal. The little guy is Davey.
They are both doing great. Coal has come out of his shell and is playful, loving, and energetic. He is also HUGE at just 7 months.
