Yanna wrote this:
Dear Dr. Chan,
Two weeks ago I volunteered to foster 3 month-old kittens who had been abandoned by their mother. While I have 2 adult cats of my own, I have never had any prior experience caring for kittens. However, reading your blog inspired me to take them in as I have learned so much about kitten care just from reading your posts on the Blueys (coupled with additional independent research and advice from my vet).
I'm proud to say that the kittens are now much healthier, happier and tubbier today compared to their first day with me. One of them has already found a good forever home. Thanks so much for sharing your animal stories with us as they are very helpful and inspiring. :)
I encouraged Yanna to share her story as such real-life experiences are always very inspiring, so here is her account:
This is Yanna who left a comment on your 'Geng Gebu' blog post. Thank you for wanting to feature my experience with my kittens on your blog. This is my story:
I have 2 adult cats of my own but was reluctant to foster kittens for a while. This is because in 2010, I had a rather traumatic experience where a stray kitten that my father rescued from the drain in front of our house died after only a week in my care. The vet’s prognosis had been grim from the start: the kitten was most likely abandoned by his mother because he was very weak. By the time we found him, he had been without his mother for too long and even though I did my best to nurse him, Matt died in great pain from a long seizure. Matt’s death was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to watch and for some time after, I couldn’t really bear to foster any more animals. I also feel guilty to this day because I don’t think I did enough research on kitten care at the time.
Later on, I became aware of the increasing number of animal cruelty/abandonment cases and started to read appeals online regarding pets who needed fostering. This is how I got in touch with Sherlyn, a kind pet rescuer who had rescued 3 hungry, cold kittens abandoned by their mother near her house. I agreed to foster them.
This is Mikan (orange), Boomer (black) and Arya (grey and white). To be honest, I was quite terrified and paranoid at first as I had no idea how to take care of them (Matt had been on a special diet prescribed by the vet, and I was also afraid they would die the way Matt did). Sherlyn was very patient and explained everything I needed to know. I also took them to the vet for a check-up and advice, and I had the support of good friends who were experienced in kitten care (special thanks to Maisarah and Madiha). At one point, I was calling everyday to ask all sorts of things about the kittens. I hope they weren’t too annoyed!
Today, the kittens are tubby, healthy and happy (and might I add, really feisty). Arya has since gone to a good forever home where she has the company of another kitten. I haven’t decided whether to put Boomer and Mikan up for adoption yet as I’ve grown quite attached to them.
What I’d like to say to people who are interested in fostering kittens/puppies but are worried about inexperience: everyone starts as a first-time animal fosterer. Surround yourself with the right reading materials, get in touch with experienced animal carers and always take the animal to the vet as soon as possible. Even if you save just one animal, it is worth it to see them grow up in a healthy, happy environment.
Sincerely, Yanna
First day
Second day
Now
Congratulations, Yanna! Thank you very much for sharing your story. I'm sure it will inspire others to help animals, too.
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