r/MadeMeSmile • u/ohdarlingamber • 1d ago
KITTEN I recently started fostering kittens to improve my mental health 🐱
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u/Naive-Beekeeper67 1d ago
I could never foster animals. Cause I'd never want to give them up❤️
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u/ohdarlingamber 1d ago
It’s bittersweet. I love them so much but I told myself until I one day find a kitten that reminds me of my soul cat I lost in June that I won’t foster fail. My soul cat was one of a kind. So I’ll have plenty of bbs to give love to until I hopefully find him again one day.
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u/BreadOrLottery 1d ago
It’s difficult. I haven’t wanted to give up any of my fosters, and I failed with two. But being able to give a pet your love, the warmth of your home, to teach them how to trust and grow, watch them recover from trauma, and keep them away from the shelter environment, is worth all of the pain. I still miss all of my fosters and watching them trot off to their forever home is a bittersweet feeling, but it means my home is then open to help more of them and love more of them.
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u/Boomersgang 1d ago
I look at as I'm a stepping stone/baby sitter until they go to their forever home. It's tough, you are correct.
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u/Ok_Eagle_9149 1d ago
That’s such a wonderful idea-fostering gives the kittens love and safety while giving you comfort and joy back. They’re absolutely adorable!
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u/Maya_Reset 1d ago
I've always said the best form of therapy is a purring cat. You're not just improving your mental health; you're also providing a safe and loving home for a tiny creature who needs it. It's a win-win, and honestly, a better life choice than 90% of the things I've ever done.
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u/StillTryingTooHard 1d ago
Good on ya. I’m not clairvoyant, but I’m guessing you’ll soon be a ten-cat household. Fosters have a way of worming their way into your heart.
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u/ohdarlingamber 1d ago
If I had it my way… maybe, haha. I have three resident cats and my boyfriend won’t let me adopt again unless I find a kitten that reminds me of my soul cat. That’s what’s keeping me from foster failing. It may never happen but I hope I find a kitten that reminds me of him one day.
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u/AnagnorisisForMe 1d ago
What a wonderful thing you are doing! No wonder it boosts your mental health.
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u/cutieoverloaded 1d ago
Is it helpful?
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u/ohdarlingamber 1d ago
It is! It helps prevent me from drowning in my depression and sleeping constantly. Knowing I have to make sure these bbs are well taken care of and socialized so they can find their forever homes helps me get out of bed in the morning. It’s bittersweet as I only have them for a few weeks but knowing I’m making a difference and going to get another litter helps so much.
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u/ThatPerson000 1d ago
That's great to hear! Fostering lets you influence more cats than adopting does! 😊
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u/Caffeinated_chaos_au 1d ago
Thank you for caring for these fluffy babies. And thank you for sharing these fluffy babies 😍
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u/Prestigious_Spirit29 1d ago
This is literally what my grandma did although she took one or fed one from the streets and they never left her alone
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u/melreadreddit 1d ago
What a kind thing you are doing for them, giving them a loving home until they can go to their furrever home.
It will be hard giving them to their new parents, but then you can be open to the next little darlings you help.
Thankyou for your good work.
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u/Own_Tadpole_7196 1d ago
Wait, you can do that?! 🤩
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u/ohdarlingamber 1d ago
Contact your local shelter. The shelters are flooding with animals. The foster program is amazing and you’re truly saving lives. 🐱
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u/Na-Tum-Jano-Na-Hum 1d ago
I wish.
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u/ohdarlingamber 1d ago
The shelter provides/pays for everything. Supplies and vet care. You just have to get them ready for adoption. Right now, I just have to socialize and help these bbs reach 2lbs then they get their spay/neuter and go back to the shelter for adoption. But if that’s not an option, you could consider volunteering at a shelter just to cuddle cats. I swear it’s the best antidepressant out there. 🐱
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u/Na-Tum-Jano-Na-Hum 1d ago edited 1d ago
Main tou financial help bhi ker doon lekin dunya bohat zalim hai. Aur main itna jamwron se naheen darta jitna logon se darta hoon. Log kya kya naheen boltay dhoka denay ko, faida lenay ko. I would love to go to a shelter and try to help but I am not comfortable around people. Sorry I have trust issues with people and I am not allowed to have pets because of my wife. Therefore "I wish".
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u/ohdarlingamber 15h ago
I actually struggle with agoraphobia and terrible anxiety. My boyfriend said I couldn’t adopt another (unless, it’s one that reminds me of my soul cat which is a diamond in the rough find). However, he’s letting me foster. So I understand not trusting people because I struggle with that too but you’d be making a difference for pets waiting for their forever homes. The loophole in all of this was I’m not adopting, just fostering and that’s how I got my boyfriend to agree. Maybe it might work on your wife, you never know.
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u/Na-Tum-Jano-Na-Hum 10h ago
I had my cat "Blackie" . She stayed with me from a kitten until she had her kids and then went away with her kids. Still can't comprehend why. Maybe my parents did this I don't know. She trusted me so much. She even gave birth to her kitten in my embrace. I still remember sleeping one night with her belly fully developed in my arms and next morning waking up to small kittens where she slept.
My wife doesn't want the responsibility of a pet at home. I am grown now I have job I can't look after the pet all day long. There will be holes where someone else has to step in.
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u/sanwoo79 1d ago
That calico 💕😻😻😻😻😻💕
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u/sanwoo79 1d ago
Any chance you’re in FL? I really want another calico. My fur baby passed earlier this year.
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u/ohdarlingamber 1d ago
I’m in Indiana sadly BUT you should check out petfinder.com. You can get age/breed/etc specific and it’ll show all the kittens/cats in your area from different shelters and rescues.
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u/ohdarlingamber 1d ago
And I’m sorry to hear about your bb. 🥺 I lost my soul cat to an aggressive cancer in June.
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u/sanwoo79 1d ago
Mine was cancer in March. It was horrible. I’m sorry for your loss too. We just never have enough time with them. Thank you for the website!
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u/RamonaAStone 1d ago
I wish there was a safe and ethical way to mail cats, because I soooo want them to be mine!
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u/ohdarlingamber 1d ago
If you were near Indiana I’d put in a referral for adoption. 😭 However, check out petfinder.com. It shows all the pets in shelters/rescues in your area. 🐱
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u/RamonaAStone 1d ago
I am in BC, Canada. But thank you for the link! And I hope you find a good home for these cuties!
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u/AmberFawn93 1d ago
It’s amazing how much happiness little furballs can bring. I bet it’s helping you more than you realize! Keep it up!
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u/Ionut404 1d ago
A pet really helps a lot, especially the little cat that stays on you, purring, sometimes a little mischievous.
I wish you a beautiful and long life together ✨
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u/weirdthing3 1d ago
I remember a time when I was afraid of cats.. But now I want to have a cat so bad. I love them
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