You’ve fostered a kitty and nurtured them back to health, you’ve been with them to all their vet appointments, and been by their side past all their milestones. Now, there’s only one last thing to do.
We asked our foster carers what their advice is for dealing with the day when you have to hand back your foster kittens/cat.
Jeanette
It’s ok to cry!!!
If you feel very strongly about adopting, which to be honest, we do many times, I’d hand them back and think about it for a few days. The feeling may subside, and then before you know it, the next lot of fosters have arrived and you fall in love all over again!
Suzy
It can feel hard. But I’ve developed a bit of a routine to make it feel easier.
I take photos while they’re with me and save them into a folder, with their name on it.
I try to clean up and put away their toys, toilet tray, food bowls etc as soon as possible, so I can take these back to Ten Lives and so I don’t have the visual reminder which might make me miss them.
I try to plan to have something nice to do after I drop them off, even if it’s just a coffee somewhere.
And sometimes I just have a bit of a cry, if I get attached to one. It’s pretty natural to get attached or feel guilty about taking them back. It does help to know that they’ll be matched with the right family for them and I love seeing the news that they’ve been adopted.
Rose
THIS is the hardest question to ever answer.
You can cry/hug them good bye, walk away and not look back ( if you can), feed them your last meal like they will never eat as good as this ever again. Try and wait to the last minute to arrive for your vet appointment. Take so many photos that you think you will remember them as being that special one.
How to move on: pick up your next foster straight away and start again. This is the best way.
Steph
The day before our babies go back and the morning of their surgery everyone in the house gives them cuddles and says goodbye. The kittens get spoiled with loves and treats before they have to fast. Makes it a little bit easier for everyone, but it’s still hard. I also keep a mini profile of all the kittens in my care, makes it easier to remember the specifics.
– Below is an example of the mini profiles Steph makes for each of the kitties she cares for:
