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Fostering Kittens - Suggestions!
I work at the OSPCA (Just started a month ago, and I work in the office) I LOVE my job. Anyway, yesterday I was asked to foster 4 kittens. 3 are about 5 weeks old, the 4th is about 3 months old.
I have a JRT. He is an AWESOME dog, great with people and other dogs, and just very well behaved.
But when it comes to cats-he is HORRIBLE. He can't concentrate on anything else but to get to the cat and.. (I don't know what he wants to do with it, but I don't want to find out)
The girls at the shelter told me I could bring the kittens back if it doesn't go well. They are thankful I am trying. So last night I brought them in while my husband walked the dog. As soon as he came in though, he ran right to the outside of the door they are staying in and went crazy sniffing. At one point, I opened the door (trying to keep the dog out) so I could go in and feed/medicate the kittens, and he ran in and pinned the littlest one down to the ground. Luckily no one was hurt and I got him off the kitten right away. He stayed up all night sitting and whining outside their door. Today is a LITTLE better. He is sitting quietly outside the door, but I haven't been in recently to see the kittens and when I do, he jumps at the door.
I am supposed to keep them for a couple weeks. Do you have ANY suggestions? Would it be a good idea for him to meet the kittens (Me holding my dog or course and not letting go) So he gets used to the idea of what's in there and eventually doesn't care? Or do you think I should take the kittens back to the shelter? Do you think this is too much stress on my dog and the kittens? The kittens seem fine-every time I go in they are just cuddled together napping. But so far today, my dog does not care about eating or drinking his water. Am I horrible if I need to take them back?
Sorry for the long story.. but any suggestions would be great!
Re: Fostering Kittens - Suggestions!
I wouldn't let him meet the cats. Terriers are bred to hunt, he probably sees them as prey.
Is it possible to keep him away from the door? I fostered kittens in a house with a cat-aggressive dog. I kept the kittens in a spare bedroom, and during the day, the dogs stayed on the main floor of the home, and I put a baby gate at the bottom of the stairs to keep the dog off the upper floor where the bedrooms were. At night, the dog was closed in the master bedroom with me.
I was also going to suggest a baby gate.
Don't feel bad if you need to return the kittens so someone else can foster. We had return a foster puppy after he was way too interested in our cats.
5 cats. 1 baby.