I know I'm late to the party on this one - - but after reading this thread - - and your initial one -- I hope you do keep us updated! And that Richi keeps continuing to progress on the eating front.
I do first want to say - a HUGE yeah and big hug for adopting Richi. Most people want the kitty that's outgoing from day one (which is understandable) - - it takes a very special person to bring a kitty with Richi's background and try to help him understand that his life now will be filled with food, love, safety, and consistency.
If I'm understanding the dates right - you really didn't adopt him that long ago (about a month ago, correct?). Although I know - as an "often foster mom and constant worrier" - that every day they don't eat like they should feels like an eternity, and that you want him to be as comfortable and happy as he possibly can. He's only been in your home for about a month now (I do realize - if I'm right - he was at a foster home for about a year). He sounds like he's had a very rough start, poor guy (he is gorgeous!!!). Cats and kittens saved from hoarding situations generally have had little or no human contact while in the hoarder's possession, and it sounds like when he did have human interaction there, it was awful. It often takes even healthy, well-adjusted cats and kittens some time to adjust to their forever home - - and cats with his background of starting life in a hoarding situation are, as a general rule one of the slower ones to learn trust in humans and safety in their forever home (but they're WELL worth the effort in the end - - for both kitty AND adopter!!!!!!). And he's obviously now in his third "home" (obviously the first one would barely be considered a home) - - and even though the fosterer surely loved him dearly, hoarded cats generally have a harder time "moving homes." To a certain extent - he's doing a bit of "starting over" with you. But I fully believe (even from looking at his relaxed posture in your photo!!!! Look at how relaxed his face is compared to his original shot!) you're going to end up with a kitty who loves you very much.
My avatar - "Bowie" - is a "failed foster" who also came from a very abusive home (where he was kept in a hamster cage, unable to fully stand up or turn around - and was left in that cage without a bite of food or any water, for days at a time in the hot sun). He was such a mess his sinuses were eaten through - and to this day snuffles and snorts like a 90-year-old asthmatic. It took months for him to learn to trust us (and he still runs for the hills when even the mailman comes toward the door!). But lots of love (and food, water and treats) later - - he's a gorgeous, chunkier-than-he-should-be (because his fear of starving never left him) ball of snuffling love.
So keep at it with Richi - and keep us posted. Getting this brother may end up being a very good idea (particularly if you know they did get along before) - and it might truly help him feel secure and help him open up. Of course giving two kitties from that horrid situation is a wonderful thought -- but I also think focussing on him for a bit more isn't a bad idea either.
Please do keep us posted on this gorgeous guy!
I do first want to say - a HUGE yeah and big hug for adopting Richi. Most people want the kitty that's outgoing from day one (which is understandable) - - it takes a very special person to bring a kitty with Richi's background and try to help him understand that his life now will be filled with food, love, safety, and consistency.
If I'm understanding the dates right - you really didn't adopt him that long ago (about a month ago, correct?). Although I know - as an "often foster mom and constant worrier" - that every day they don't eat like they should feels like an eternity, and that you want him to be as comfortable and happy as he possibly can. He's only been in your home for about a month now (I do realize - if I'm right - he was at a foster home for about a year). He sounds like he's had a very rough start, poor guy (he is gorgeous!!!). Cats and kittens saved from hoarding situations generally have had little or no human contact while in the hoarder's possession, and it sounds like when he did have human interaction there, it was awful. It often takes even healthy, well-adjusted cats and kittens some time to adjust to their forever home - - and cats with his background of starting life in a hoarding situation are, as a general rule one of the slower ones to learn trust in humans and safety in their forever home (but they're WELL worth the effort in the end - - for both kitty AND adopter!!!!!!). And he's obviously now in his third "home" (obviously the first one would barely be considered a home) - - and even though the fosterer surely loved him dearly, hoarded cats generally have a harder time "moving homes." To a certain extent - he's doing a bit of "starting over" with you. But I fully believe (even from looking at his relaxed posture in your photo!!!! Look at how relaxed his face is compared to his original shot!) you're going to end up with a kitty who loves you very much.
My avatar - "Bowie" - is a "failed foster" who also came from a very abusive home (where he was kept in a hamster cage, unable to fully stand up or turn around - and was left in that cage without a bite of food or any water, for days at a time in the hot sun). He was such a mess his sinuses were eaten through - and to this day snuffles and snorts like a 90-year-old asthmatic. It took months for him to learn to trust us (and he still runs for the hills when even the mailman comes toward the door!). But lots of love (and food, water and treats) later - - he's a gorgeous, chunkier-than-he-should-be (because his fear of starving never left him) ball of snuffling love.
So keep at it with Richi - and keep us posted. Getting this brother may end up being a very good idea (particularly if you know they did get along before) - and it might truly help him feel secure and help him open up. Of course giving two kitties from that horrid situation is a wonderful thought -- but I also think focussing on him for a bit more isn't a bad idea either.
Please do keep us posted on this gorgeous guy!