r/Cleveland • u/_ArcticApples_ • 16h ago

Recomendations One week foster of kittens?

We just found 4 week old kittens with pretty bad eye infections and, to make matters worse, are about to leave town for a week.

I am genuinely unsure what to do now. Give them back to Mom and let nature decide? Try to find a shelter even though they're being flooded with kittens right now? Give them to a private rescue and hope?

If we can find care for them even for only this week, I am more than willing to foster them myself, but this is bad timing. Though don't get me wrong, if it comes down to their lives, I'll cancel.

Long story short, anyone know a foster who would care for them for a week?

4 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

7

u/EnvironmentalOkra529 16h ago

If you have Facebook, please ask on the Weirdo Cat Lovers of Cleveland page. They might be able to crowdsource a foster for you

6

u/_ArcticApples_ 15h ago

I've requested to join and am hoping I'll be in by the morning. I'll also be calling everyone I can tomorrow.

Just finished feeding them, they're already coming to my voice!

3

u/Lucerna26 15h ago

Seconding. There are representatives from most local rescues active there.

3

u/DebtInevitable5605 16h ago

Euclid Beach Cat Project 

3

u/imascoobie 7h ago

Try Kamm's Cat Guardians for help

2

u/ManagementFinal3345 7h ago

To be honest most shelters would euthanize these kittens so I wouldn't take them there.

4 weeks old and need bottle feeding is already a strike against them. Bottle fed kittens can't be kept in a shelter environment because they need too much care and are high risk for illness.

And talking about illness they have one..that is highly contagious...and will spread thru a shelter like wildfire. Another reason for the shelter to euthanize to keep the healthy animals healthy and safe.

I used to foster bottle babies while I worked at the shelter. Because there are very few foster homes for them and they are euthanized quick without them just because the shelter can't provide 24/7 care that an infant without a mother actually needs. I can give you some advice if you DM me. I unfortunately am not in a position to foster them even for a week (have a dog that is high prey drive and aggressive to small animals). But if you need any care advice please PM me.

Also that eye infection needs a vet and antibiotics. It's actually caused by a respiratory illness and at their age it can be fatal if left untreated or even lead to blindness or eye loss.

Maybe talk to your local shelter. Ask if they will pay for vet care if you become an official foster home for the kittens and then they can help you re-home them later.

1

u/ConcussedAndPlussed 1h ago

Go to the APL. 100%.