[nat3]

Hi guys,

I was so overwhelmed with everyones offers to help with Princess and appreciate it so much. Sadly I have 2 more cats that were trapped around the bushfire areas. No-one has come forward to claim these guys and they arent microchipped so they dont have a lot of options other than hopefully finding a foster home that can care for them until a new home can be found for them or maybe someone will turn up looking for them.

I sadly just dont have the space to take any more cats in but I was thinking because these new cats will be quite stressed and I dont know a lot about them if someone would even be willing to take in 1 or 2 of my already well adjusted and lovely foster boys who are great with other cats and I know that they would adjust quickly to a new foster home then I could make space for these guys.

Or if anyone would be willing to take the new 2 then that would be great too, they just might need a bit more work. However they both seem fine with other cats and are very affectionate, non agressive and sweet, especially the little girl. I'd have to guess they are middle aged, maybe 8 or 9 and they are in good health though the male has slightly burned front paws but they have healed fast. Both are tabbies and whether they are from the same family is a mystery but they get along pretty well with each other and have obviously bonded during this stressful time for them.

Just wanted to add that I can drop off and will help with food and whatever else they need. I just want to see them have some security and love.

If anyone could help these babies pretty please call me on 0401 823 651, PM me or email me at natty.h@bigpond.com.au

Thanks so much

This post has been edited by nat3: 17 February 2009 - 10:19 AM

[kirty]

Poor little mites. I wish I could help. I know of a lady who lost her cat in the fires, he was called Muggsie I think. She said he was microchipped though, so please keep an eye and an ear out for him.

[nat3]

Oh I definitely will. If you want send me her details, and if possible microchip number and I can spread the word as much as possible. There are still a lot of cats who are microchipped who still havent been reunited with their owners because they have no way of getting in contact right now so tell her not to lose hope.

[Lisa J]

It would be lovely if some of the animals who've lost their owners could be paired up with people who lost their pets through the fires.

[nat3]

Thank you so much to elizabethac29, she is going to take the boy into foster care and it sounds like he is going to be very spoiled. Hopefully an owner will turn up and we'll give it a few months before trying to rehome him.

The little girl is still in need of foster care so if anyone can help with her she would be very grateful.

Thanks again Elizabeth

This post has been edited by nat3: 17 February 2009 - 07:53 PM

[deevaa]

Nat, my partner and I might be interested. I emailed you.

This post has been edited by deevaa: 17 February 2009 - 09:42 PM

[Trubador]

Nat thank you for taking in these cats needing a home and love. I am at my council permit limit but really appreciate you helping those kitties in need.

[LynneM]

Is it possible for someone, in Victoria, to approach a pet shipping organisation and ask if they would be prepared to move cats interstate without charging. If something like that could be arranged then it would broaden the options for fostering or rehoming.

[Lisa J]

Nat, would it be possible for you to give us an idea of what will be required for fostering any more cats that need help? It might open up more options too. Are there still more cats from the fires that will require fostering? Do they have any special requirements?

Cheers,

Lisa.

[catsville]

I'm happy to have a couple more long term boarders from anyone that has lost their home I would not charge them.

[elizabethac29]

Catsville, you are so very generous. Thankyou so much for looking after all those displaced kitties.

I am pleased to say the young man will come into my care on Saturday. We will look after him like a King and hope that his people (or person) are (is) able to come forward to claim him.

[nat3]

Catworlders are fantastic, really, thank you all. deeva is helping one of my existing foster kitties for which I cannot express my gratitude enough. We felt that for her house of beautiful birmans a gentle soul would be best and that will free up a space for the next fire kitty that comes to my place. I am so grateful to you deeva and I look forward to meeting you and cant wait to hear what his new name will be, because yes, Farfle kinda sucks LOL

Now elizabeth will be taking the girl as the poor big boy has a UTI and crystals and needs vet care right now. Poor sweetie, he's obviously very stressed but after he is recovered he too may need a place. The little girl is such a bit stressed but a sweetie and I cant wait to see how she blossoms under your care elizabeth.

Lets hope that owners will turn up of these gorgeous babies.

Lisa, the kitties that I am currently helping to put in foster care are the ones with no or very minimal physical injuries. The ones that need a lot of veterinary care are either with vet nurses or shelters right now. These cats too will eventually require foster care if there owners dont come to claim them or they will go into shelters if they arent already and try to be rehomed that way. Cats that are microchipped are mostly at the shelters and their owners where possible have been contacted. Some of these cats may still require temporary foster care though once contacted most owners seem to have been able to find family, friends etc to help which is great.

The needs to foster a cat are a good space to start with. I really dont feel its in these kitties interest to be confined to a crate or small area as they are already very stressed so at least a room to start with the outlook of allowing them more access to the house. Eventually most foster cats roam around with the rest of my cats and are treated the same (spoiled rotten). Introducing them is another topic but am happy to help with that too if any wants. But to start with a room, lots of food, water, bedding, toys, litter but most of all patience, lots of reassurance and understanding. These cats are frightened and unsure and its heartbreaking to see some of them hunched up and shaking they are so scared. The way they act right now is not neccessarily the kind of cat they are so its important to realise that it will take a few weeks at least for them to feel settled again. For example a cat who has never bitten in their life, understandably could do so right now. They cant cry and scream like us, but they have other ways of showing their sadness and frustration such as that. Not to say it will happen, but they just need to be handled especially gentle, reassured often and given lots of treats and cuddles and yummy food and anything that will help bring out the best in them again. Its hard work but so rewarding - for any foster cat as most have come out of unhappy situations too but the fire kitties are more traumatised than most.

Catsville, thanks so much to you also I have already passed your details on so you may get a few calls. Hope you are going ok looking after all those kitties

[Rachelle]

You are all such wonderful caring people, looking after these poor kitties. There's not much I can do from Darwin, except send the care packages and money, wish I was closer by to help more. Thank you to everyone who is able to take on these foster babies

[elizabethac29]

Pheonix is doing very well. She woke me up at 5:00am because she wanted to go to her food bowl for a little snack.

Napoleon seems to have recovered from his 'little smack'.

She's had all night in with the run of the house so she's in the bathroom so the others can come in. I put a little chair in there. She curls up and sleeps on it.

[nat3]

Im so relieved that Napoleon recovered from his smack, poor baby. Phoenix is cheeky but sounds like she is doing so well. I would love to see some pics of her all curled up on that chair, thank you for helping this little girl, she must know how lucky she is and hopefully she will start behaving herself around the other kitties!! Thanks for the update, cant wait to hear more about how she settles in. Maybe post it in Cat Chat as Im not sure if people are still reading this anymore?