Fostering Kittens

Howard.

I decided to Foster kittens at the Humane Society this month. My first fosters are four male, five week old kittens. Their names are Harold, Howard Herman, and Harley. I have been volunteering at the Humane Society ever since my previous employer offered 2 paid volunteer hours per year. I continued to volunteer for many reasons. It was a rewarding hobby that had so much to learn. I have always wanted to foster so when I received an email that it was kitten season and the Humane Society was in desperate need of foster volunteers, I quickly applied. I downloaded the app for adobe sign that allows me to input my information and signature to the downloadable application on the Humane Society website and attached it to an email to the Volunteer Manager. After a few emails and calls back and forth (phone tag) and a visit to the shelter, I was finally able to get started. I have always had cats and dogs growing up. I raised two puppies as well. But kittens are a different story! I work full time so I am gone about 9 hours a day between work and driving. Luckily, kittens and cats are self sufficient. However, when I am home they definitely appreciate my attention. The biggest obstacle so far has been their bathroom behavior. They poop everywhere and will jump on my bed and track it all over my sheets. I have had to clean blankets all day everyday and vacuum. Since there is 4 of them, I am using 2 litter boxes. I do not crate them, but they stay in my room unless I am home. They love to play with each other and will hide under my couch. I also wake up to them in my bed. I have introduced them to the outside by allowing them on my screened patio which they enjoy. I’ve also bathed them which they absolutely hate. They have watched YouTube cat videos and are very curious about everything. I am thankful for all the great tips and information out there on the we and all the people who share their pictures on Instagram. I even created a page for them @hstbfoster. I hope the hashtags will attract people interested in adoption to find them or share. I am thankful that the Humane Society provided me with a litter box, litter, food (dry and pate’), and toys. I will be taking them to a check up at 2 weeks and if all goes well, by week 4 they should be ready for adoption after they are 8 weeks or older.
About the kittens:
Harley: He is the most adventurous. He is brave and independent. You can find him with Harold most of the time. He is usually the first one to cuddle with me and was the first to meow.
Harold: He is sneaky and likes the most attention. He will cuddle with me the most.
Herman: He is goofy and you can usually find him scratching the cat pole and playing with Howard.
Howard: He is the biggest goof ball. He has those “crazy eyes” like he is about to get into something. He tends to follow the others but has lots of personality.
I am going to miss them when they leave but I hope they will go to a good home and live long and happy tails. 
Tips:
1. Cover entire carpet with blankets.
2. Put litter box in a corner and very visible.
3. Cuddle with them.
4. Fostering saves lives!

[caption id="attachment_739" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Herman selfie.

Herman.

Harley.

Harold, Harley, Herman, and Howard cuddled together.

Harold.