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- May 23, 2017
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My fiance and I were part of a foster-to-adopt program, and have decided not to continue to the second step. We were paired with a year old cat who had been feral for his first 6 months, and then separated from his bonded sister by the rescue organization. We weren't told this until we became concerned with his behavior after 5 months and did some further searching.
We really wanted to help this cat. But, while he bonded with his environment, he did not bond with us. At first he would avoid us, but now he's growling and hissing whenever we're within a few feet of him. This is difficult, because his hiding place is under our bed. Every day after work, I come home and sit across from his hiding spot and talk to him and read. He never comes out. I place treats and wet food, pheromone sprays, toys... nothing. He waits me out.
We asked the organization to put him back up for adoption, but that we'd be happy to foster until a better home--preferably one with a cat already--comes along. But I feel so guilty and bad. I know this is the entire point of foster-to-adopt, and if we had been told about this cat's past, we would have asked to be paired with a different one. And we're not letting him just go off, we'll continue to care for this cat until a better home is found, and a better home will only be better for the cat in the end. But I still feel terrible.
Has anyone else been through this?
We really wanted to help this cat. But, while he bonded with his environment, he did not bond with us. At first he would avoid us, but now he's growling and hissing whenever we're within a few feet of him. This is difficult, because his hiding place is under our bed. Every day after work, I come home and sit across from his hiding spot and talk to him and read. He never comes out. I place treats and wet food, pheromone sprays, toys... nothing. He waits me out.
We asked the organization to put him back up for adoption, but that we'd be happy to foster until a better home--preferably one with a cat already--comes along. But I feel so guilty and bad. I know this is the entire point of foster-to-adopt, and if we had been told about this cat's past, we would have asked to be paired with a different one. And we're not letting him just go off, we'll continue to care for this cat until a better home is found, and a better home will only be better for the cat in the end. But I still feel terrible.
Has anyone else been through this?