Found Kitten Might Get Into Rescue I’m Worried

Hello, my parents found a tiny kitten under their RV last Sunday and brought him to me, hoping I would be able to find him a home. I’ve contacted two rescues, one a cat specific rescue got back with me today and said they may have room for him in one of their foster homes with another kitten. Now I’m freaking out. I have two small dogs and they aren’t bothering the kitten. The younger dog wants to play so I’ve been teaching him to be easy. The kitten loves him. I wasn’t looking to add a cat to my family but now I’m worried. I know he’s bonded to me because he follows me everywhere and snuggles in my lap. A part of me really wants to keep him, but a part of me doesn’t. I’ve had major anxiety attacks for the last week. I just don’t know what to do. Will he think I’ve abandoned him? Why can’t I stop crying thinking about him leaving? Had anyone else gone through something like this?

Also, will the rescue be upset that I changed my mind if I decide to keep him? They haven’t technically taken him in yet. I love this organization and don’t want them to think I’m crazy for changing my mind. I’m a worry wart, I know.

I'm sure the rescue has dealt with that before, so not to worry. If you haven't signed any papers, you haven't committed.
Why the anxiety, are you anxious about keeping him or anxious about giving him up?
Kittens do require food, medical care, and a lot of love but in my years I've found adding a kitten to the house is much easier than adding a pup.
It sounds like you love him already, if you're financially able to keep him and he and your dogs get along fine, I wouldn't write it off as a possibility. The little one in my lap was found as a stray kitten, very young, and we thought about getting her healthy and finding a home. And we did, her home is right here

I think it’s bringing up a lot of heartache. I lost my 13 year old cat Lucy back in November, she passed away. She was my best friend and I didn’t realize just how much it still hurts losing her. Also, I’ve never coped well with change. I always get major anxiety with it. Thanks for responding!

coriejo24 said:

I think it’s bringing up a lot of heartache. I lost my 13 year old cat Lucy back in November, she passed away. She was my best friend and I didn’t realize just how much it still hurts losing her. Also, I’ve never coped well with change. I always get major anxiety with it. Thanks for responding!

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No problem
We've lost them anywhere from 8 weeks to 18 years and it's never easy. The only bad thing about our pets is they just don't live as long as we'd like.
You can't replace Lucy and never should even attempt to do so, but love for these animals is something that's really easy to expand. You can honor her memory by adopting this little guy, or honor her memory by taking him to a responsible rescue that will find him a good home.
I think you sound like you would benefit by considering keeping him, but I'm a bad enabler
Whatever you decide, he will be happy and safe and fed and loved. If you're able to, and want to, I hope you will keep him but if it's not possible be glad that you were the foster parent that was able to move him into the right place at the right time.

The previous advice is great. If you can provide a proper home and you decide to keep him, the rescue group will be happy for you. You just need to decide if your tears are out of worry for giving him over to someone else’s care or because your heart is telling you to keep him with you. This happens a lot. I think we all struggle to let go. We fall in love with them and it’s hard. Even the most experienced foster care workers get hooked sometimes. Do what is in the best interest of the kitten. If you decide to keep him just make sure that it is a commitment on your part. If you think you may ever change your mind, know that the best time for him to readjust is while he is young. If it helps any, I’ve cried over giving up kittens too. I loved them all but I just couldn’t keep them all. You are not alone in any of this! Either way, you are doing a great thing to help this baby. I am glad you came here. Welcome! Please post back and let us know how you, doggies and kitten are doing.

This is definitely one of the reasons I’ve been struggling with this decision. He’s just so adorable.

Awwww! I can certainly understand the difficulty! That is a precious baby. The pictures are purrfection! Thank you for sharing the smiles with us! Soooo cute!

Hi! That kitty is so gorgeous!! No one can tell you what to do, but I am going to share a story with you, just so you know why my vote is for you to keep him.

I lost my first cat, Tawny at 15 yo from FIP. He was a stray that found me when he was about 6 months old. I was devastated the day he went to sleep, but my husband and I went out to 'celebrate' his life that evening. When we came home, there was a little kitten outside the door to our garage. Long story short, after agonizing hours, we brought her into our home and let her claim us as her own. Gracie died of cancer 12 years later, and for nearly two years I didn't pursue the thought of another cat.

However, while I was taking care of my mom's estate in Ohio, a two year old stray found my niece and another long story short I baby sat her while they went on vacation - and ended up taking her home with me to Florida. Feeby is, thankfully, with me still at 14+ yo and I am so glad she found my niece while I happened to be in Ohio.

These cats 'found' me, like your little guy found you. Even though they can't stay with us forever, I will cherish Tawny and Gracie - and, Feeby - forever. I wouldn't change a thing.

I think each of them just passed the 'baton' on to the next, watching over me and giving me whatever time they thought was necessary before the next one came along to take care of me.

OK, sorry - not so short of a story after all...

So, I’ve decided to keep him. I’m definitely feeling the anxiety of having two dogs and a kitten in a 740 square foot, one bedroom apartment. Thankfully, my apartment complex has a 3 pet limit. It’s so nerve wracking but when I think of him living with someone else the anxiety is worse. Has anyone ever felt this way? How did you handle it?

Yay! I don't know about so many pets at once, as I have only had one at a time. When I told you the story above, with Gracie 'showing up' after Tawny, I was very apprehensive. But, that was pretty quickly dispelled when she joined my home because she was so loving and longing for attention/affection.

I think you have a real plus going on because your kitten is young, is adapting to your dogs, and your dogs seem to be reciprocating. So far, all that sounds super good!

I hope other members who have multi-pet households that they came upon 'by accident' can give you some first hand support!

You went with your heart and from what you said it looks the 3 of them will get along just fine. You have some very sweet dogs apparently, in addition to your new baby kitty! Now, you just have to get over the "oh my god, what did I just do" qualms!

The love bug got you. I have blended many pets. I once lived in a place that was only a little more than you are in now. I had a cat, two dogs and.......okay, I’m going to admit this, a chicken. She was rescued as a baby and was even house trained. I know people think chickens are stupid but this one did all sorts of tricks and was a very neat bird. I would never have set out to get a chicken but it was one of those things that just happens. She, the dogs and the cat lived together very happily. Definitely a blended family. We managed with no problems. I was nervous about the chicken because I had no idea how to care for one. Lol She grew in to a healthy girl and had a loving relationship with us. I’m sure you and your group will be fine. Just supervise things until kitten is secure there. I suggest you all go and relax together. Maybe a movie and something to munch on. Once everyone is snuggled together, I bet some purring starts. That can be a source of calm.

coriejo24 said:

So, I’ve decided to keep him. I’m definitely feeling the anxiety of having two dogs and a kitten in a 740 square foot, one bedroom apartment. Thankfully, my apartment complex has a 3 pet limit. It’s so nerve wracking but when I think of him living with someone else the anxiety is worse. Has anyone ever felt this way? How did you handle it?

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Yes, and it goes away. Very fast, too. Give it a few days (kittens settle in very fast) and that anxiety should go away.
Secretly I'm glad you're keeping him. Something that might help is designating a spot for the kitten, like a dog cage big enough to hold water, food, and a bed and a little space in between those things and a litter pan. That way he has a safe place to be over night or when you're not around and you won't worry about him accidentally hurting himself.