IT IS AN OPTION
The term I prefer is a foster-to-forever companion.
Our foster-to-forever companion Ricky (Rooster)
Some of you may recall the experience we had rehabilitating Ricky. The Rooster, as we lovingly refer to him can be a cuddle-bug. He can also turn on a dime and become quite rough.
I believe, as a foster-parent or rescue organization that it is imperative to disclose fully any concerns that might be deal breakers or result in an animal being returned to rescue. These animals need to be given their best chance for a successful placement.
Including the rehabilitation period, and because Ricky was an unpredictable and slightly older cat, he was with us for several months with only two inquiries. The first did not follow up to schedule a meet and greet, and the second lady had a small child. Small child plus a feisty cat, did not, in my opinion, make a great match.
I sport scratches like some people model bracelets! Proudly.
I realize that seems an odd thing to say. If you could see the difference between the fear aggression Ricky first demonstrated and this new cattitude, you would understand why we tolerate the bad with the good. The war wounds are a badge of honour symbolizing the before and after. A reminder of the work we all did and how it has paid off. The Rooster is not perfect – none of us are. Where’s the fun in perfection?
One day, my husband stopped by the shelter for Ricky to have the ‘once over.’ While there he was told that a rescue would be arriving to take some cats from the shelter. My husband was given the choice: Let Ricky go with the rescue, or keep him. Forever.
That was that!
“Ah, yes, the foster failures” acknowledges Jan.
Says Jan, ‘two of my four are FF’s. My Macie came to me with a broken pelvis and crushed elbow. After months of fostering and healing, we decided she was ours. My Bunny is also a foster fail. She came as a cutie just needing somewhere to crash until she was adopted. With her, I broke my ‘rule.’ We fell in love and adopted her.’
‘My family dog was old and sick,’ says Elizabeth. ‘The Foster walked into my house and laid down on my sofa to watch television with the kids.’
Ruth keeps the dogs that she feels cannot be placed safely in another home.
Leanne confesses:
It was always my plan to make my Foster dog Lucky a permanent companion. I just needed to get him into the home to help my hubby see he was a good fit for us
Do you have a Foster Fail story? Please share below.
Special Thanks to:
Elizabeth Copeland – Water Rolls Up Hill
Jan Todd – Justice For Pookie
Leanne Tucker – Speaking of Dogs
Ruth Wozniak – Speaking of Dogs, TAGS, Vaughan AC and Georgina AC
We have not foster failed. And yes I agree, it’s important to disclose any issues. We were not told about health issues and resource guarding.
I’m glad you kept Mr. N regardless.
I have not fostered yet, so I haven’t had a chance to foster fail — but I have a feeling it MIGHT happen one day. We’ll see!
Foster, or Fail? Or both?
Good luck. Either way, it’s a win!
I have two failed fosters. 🙂
I almost failed a second time. On that occasion my husband was the voice of reason.
What a beautiful foster failure! 🙂
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Thank you.
I have not foster failed but know many who have and I love their stories too 🙂
Thanks Ruth and Layla
Charlie was a foster baby too! But after 2 weeks we adopted him! I’ll be welcoming my new foster baby in September!!
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Lucky Charlie! Hope all goes well next month.
I’m a proud foster failure too – I fostered three siblings almost 5 years ago. Charlie, Max and Ava never left and are an important part of the Pawesome Cats family.
Glad to hear that. Yay Charlie, Max and Ava!
We kinda have a foster failure story. The mom caught our Zoey when she was found running around the dad-guy’s business. It was the mom’s intention to try and find a foster for her. The mom knew that Zoey needed socializing, so putting her straight into a shelter was not a good option. But after calling a few foster groups, no one had any room available. So the mom and dad-guy decided to keep Zoey. About a couple of months later, a foster group called the mom and said they now had room for Zoey. But by that time Zoey was already becoming part of the family and the mom declined the offer.
Maybe they planned that lol
What a gorgeous Foster failure!
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Thank you!
I definitely have a history of foster failures – though I like your foster to forever companion better. Our current cat Rosie is a foster failure. She was a stray that arrived in our backyard. We took her in and she was placed on a waiting list to get into the shelter where I volunteer. Rosie is a black cat and we knew her chances of adoption would be slim so we eventually decided she would stay with us forever.
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I’ve had a black cat and have a black dog. I truly do not understand why they are overlooked.
Glad Rosie has a loving home.
That’s one reason why I couldn’t foster animals – I’d want to adopt them all. I thought about it, actually, but then I inherited the job of taking care of my 2-year-old grandson every weekday, and having more animals than I already have didn’t seem like a good idea. Oh, by the way, about sporting scratches and being proud of it. I had to go to Emergency 4 times because of my Jessie Cat’s bite leading to cellulitls. I could have lost my hand the first time because I waited so long to go. I didn’t know. Stay safe, and thank you for all that you do for the animals. And thank your husband too!
I saw the photos Jeanne. You were very lucky it wasn’t worse!
Kilo the Pug started as a foster. He was very reactive and I nearly had to give him back after some bad incidents. However he was so cute and loving to family most of the time, and so funny, he won us over. Plus not sure where they could have placed him. At least I had the contacts, job and resources to work with him every day. He is much better today but still has a long way to go.
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I love Kilo’s story! #RescuesRock
Clarity at the outset is important. Not everyone will turn away from a nervous ‘biter’ or a rough cat. Theose cats are the ones who need patient love and help like your Ricky. There ARE people who will go the extra mile and foster a slightly chalenging animal. They. Are. Out. There!!!!
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They are. And it makes SUCH a difference to these animals. I don’t know if you saw our previous post Marjorie; I shared stories from a few of this type of person.
I don’t have any foster fail stories, however, I have been known in the past to “just visit” our local SPCA only to fall in love and bring home a puppy – twice! My furangels Sandy, and later on, Chelsey. And both of our kitties, furangel Smokie who was abandoned in our neighborhood and we adopted, and our current kitty Binx, a feral kitty (Smokie brought home)! I told my daughter that if Binx was still around in a month, we’d try to catch him to get him to the vet for at least a rabies vaccine…fast forward almost 5 years, and he has been adopted by us, and although he still does not let anyone pick him up, he is a loving sweetheart who will make himself at home on a lap, just on his terms!
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That is a beautiful story! Thank you so much for sharing.
l love the term “foster to forever companion!” I think it is great that your husband was the one who made the final decision. My husband is good to our pets, but if it were up to him, we would have fewer.
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I’m glad my husband made the call too. Otherwise, I would never live it down 😉
That title says it all. Sooooo happy for you. Way to go and so adorable, too.
Thanks Carol. The Rooster definitely is a character!
Great insight. We’ve never fostered although I’m considering it. I’d certainly want to know the facts before we do.
Best of luck, Maureen. Let us know if you do!
I’ve never fostered, but I’m sure I’d be a “foster failure” too.
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It happens 😉
I have never fostered, but I’m pretty sure that I would have a home full of foster failures if I did. 🙂 I think it is wonderful when foster pets and their foster parents become too attached to separate them. It is a real testament to the human-animal bond.
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Beautifully said Robin!
I just love that first photo of your sweet/rough kitty!! I have never fostered, but Rugby James is our first rescue dog, and he was NOTHING like his foster mom promised me. Sometimes, I wonder if foster parents really know what they’re seeing in a dog/cat, or even know the first thing about how to rehabilitate these animals if there are behavioral issues involved. Rugby would have been euthanized if we had given him back, and he’s an amazing little dog….but boy howdy! He’s got issues!! 😉
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I don’t understand the organizations that don’t fully disclose these things. It sets these animals up for failure. Although thankfully not in your case.
Great stories! A foster failure is the best kind of failure, I always say.
Love & biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
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Thanks Cathy.
I lost three cats in a fairly short period of time. I got into fostering to find the “perfect” cat for me. The first two I fostered became immediate failures. I held off for a while before I gave in to a third.
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I think they find their way to us when we need them!