I received a call late at night in April from our foster coordinator. 3 young kittens were in immediate need of an experienced foster. They were in very poor condition. Skinny, emaciated, weak to the point of being unable to hold themselves up. They would need around the clock care if they were going to make it through the night. The volunteer who currently had them had to work overnight and she recognized the urgency of the situation and had prompted our foster coordinator to reach out. I was planning to take a little break from fostering, my husband and I were preparing for a move and we both had busy work schedules. But how could I say no to these little lives? As luck would have it, I was off work the next few days so I agreed to take them in.

Well my fellow cat Corner-ians,

It is the time I dread....time to say goodbye.  The Cat Corner is an awesome organization and instead of keeping kittens to just 8 weeks (VA law says kittens have to be 7 weeks before being adopted and fixed) as most organizations I've fostered for; Cat Corner doesn't allow kittens up for adoption until around 12 weeks.  The extra time is really good to make sure the kittens are a little heavier when being fixed which diminishes adverse effects of anesthesia.  Also, the extra time is helpful to allow the kittens to fully become independent away from their Mother and siblings.  There are key development traits that occur in 8-12 weeks especially with socialization and keeping the kittens with buddies and siblings is a great idea to make sure they realize biting during play hurts and they shouldn't do it to others, as well as what is appropriate play and sleep times.  That is not to say that kittens adopted out at 8 weeks do not learn those things, but its up to the adopter to focus on those things not the organization helping them.  With siblings and a Mom or a Foster Momma, there is a ton less work because they learn through play and it is much easier than with a single kitten (another reason adopting kittens in pairs is a great idea aka less work).

It's that time again loyal Cat Corner-ians

Time for your weekly family update!  Week 7 has brought a lot of change to the kittens and for Momma Easter.  The kittens are closing the gap on 2lbs and Momma Easter went to the another home.

Whenever you have kittens with a Mother Cat the Mom really takes the reigns in terms of rearing the kittens.  Often humans don't need to intervene unless illness or injury comes to play.  We get to play casual observers to nature; however, human need to get involved when health and potential futures are at stake.