Dilema

[Mark]

I think what rattled me really was

"if I want kittens I shall have to either take up breeding pedigree cats of keep trawling the free ad websites in the hope that someone  has a pregnant cat to sell. "

[JackSpratt]

I agree with Desley. Check out the CatChat listings and see if you've contacted all the ones locally to you. Pictures of your cats are always appreciated by the way. (Unless I've missed them, then direct me to the thread. )

[Lindyloo]

Mark
If you think I am being pickiy wanting to foster kittens so be it, because that is the case.
Sorry if you think that is a crime. I would be willing to foster any cats in the future but after 10 years - yes I would like kittens.
When I fostered before I took anything that needed help,that is why I have the cats I have now, one feral that never became tame enough to home, a blind cat and one that was never chosen as a kitten simply because he was black. Of course there have been many more similar ones along the way.
There is a need for foster homes for pregnant cats annd kittens because I used to do it. 

[Desley (booktigger)]

Actually Mark, it can be very handy to have fosterers that only have certain kinds of cats, especially pregnant cats. I have fostered for 6 years and rarely had kittens, I only averaged one litter a year, that was more than enough for me, I was happy to let everyone else have the kittens and leave me with the adults and oldies - no one else wanted the oldies, which suited me, as I was the only fosterer without kids - the kittens were better in homes with children so they were more socialised.

HAve you been through the CatChat lists? It might also be worth seeing if you have a branch of Cat ACtion Trust near you.

[Mark]

I'm sure there are rescues than use fosterers that will take on any cats in need -  but it seems you are only interested kittens. I don't suppose any rescue needs fosterers that cherry pick.

There are plenty of poor old cats in need of fostering. Our CP branch has an elderly cat that is going to have to stay in a pen for 2 weeks due to a fosterer going on holiday and someone that may have been able to take him temporarily, being away at the same time. 

Sharon, our rehoming officer was telling me that this year is the quietest year on record for kittens so far - I hope it is the same all over the country. 

[Lindyloo]

When I lived in Greater London I was very involved with cat rescue. I fostered for over 20 years and cared for many hundreds of cats and kittens in that time. I also helped in running a CP branch .i.e. helped with home checking, answering calls, traping ferals, fundraising. etc.
 We moved to East Sussex 10 years ago and the first thing I did was offer to foster for the local CP branch. I was told they do not use foster homes.   In the 10 years I have lived here I have repeatedly offered my help to cat rescue charities near and far  but nobody wants my help. Either they don't use foster homes or say I am too far away.
I find this most odd as in London all groups seem to be desperate for foster homes and in summer never had enough places for all the kittens and cats refered to them.
 I was working in a boarding cattery for 7 years but am now no longer working and am home all day with plenty of time to foster young kittens or a pregnant cat.
If anyone in London knows of kittens or a pregnant cat that needs care then I am willing to help if I can.
I have to say that I really miss not having some kittens at this time of year and feel that despite all my efforts to help kittens in need I am just banging my head against a brick wall and that if I want kittens I shall have to either take up breeding pedigree cats of keep trawling the free ad websites in the hope that someone  has a pregnant cat to sell.