two of my foster kittens

[smilingcat]

My partner and I foster kittens each year. We specialize in new borns to 4 week old kittens. We bottle feed them, we stimulate their tummy's to get their bowl moving, we keep track of their weight every 4 hours... and we watch them grow up to be happy kittens to be adopted out. Our kittens have no fear, just wonderful happy kittens raised in a home filled with lots of love from us, other cats to play and very tolerating dogs.

The first two kittens out of this litter found a home two weeks ago. And tonight, we had to confront the woman who had adopted the two of the kittens. The woman is a pathological liar and we are unable to locate the kittens. The stories of what had happend to the kittens changed well over 5 times. And piecing back together the events and how and what she said, my partner and I'm convinced that the woman had killed the two within two or three days after she got them. She had called that day to say how wonderful the kittens were and she was bonding with them. Tonight, she didn't have single remorse of what she did to them. So we figure the day she called was the day she killed them to cleanse her mind of this awful thing. She said things like there are in better place now... She had placed them in a box...

Had the kittens been picked up, we would have been notified by now since kill and no kill shelters scan for microchips, and if anyone had picked up a stray and took it to a vet, they would have scanned for the microchip too.

I should have paid attention to the red flag. She didn't want her furniture scratched, she didn't want her cello and bow played with by the cats. I've let my kittens down and now they are most likely dead.

I wish things were going better for me... It was only five month ago when I got a call and was told that one of my foster kitten was killed. Three AM call... and it was one of the kittens I had really bonded and wanted to keep. and he was only 2 years old... And now this tonight. I am just so sick... I've been crying for about an hour...

I've let the kittens down. They were so beautiful... and my partner says she is too upset to be sad right now. How could she? She didn't want to be embarassed? What is wrong with her. WE gave her our number, cell, home, and more than enough phone numbers to call us if things didn't work out. She lied about calling us too.

Please give your prayer to two kittens who should have had a wonderful life. Instead, they only lived to be four month old.

happy days for the two beautiful kittens they were the best of buds. On my bed.

I just needed to talk. I'm sorry its not about happy things.

[badger]

god, that's horrible!! and to think that there are people out there who can willingly kill precious, innocent lives and not be remorseful. I wonder why she even bothered to adopt them in the first place?

Please don't beat yourself up too much, you didn't know. Had you know, you would never have let them go to her. It's not your fault. You're doing such good by helping these kittens grow and thrive when their mothers should have done the job. You're helping other cats have the chance at a life they would never have if caring people didn't step in.

Please keep up the good work, and again, please don't blame yourself. There is a special place for people who bring harm to animals, and she'll be going there when it's her time.

[Pax]

Poor little kittens. I'm so sorry you're going through this. :(

[jesvetmed]

Smilingcat: That just makes me feel sick. I'm so sorry and can only hope that your suspicions are not true. Badger is so right -- there isn't anything you can blame yourselves for. If you find that she still has them, then I hope you can retrieve them. What possible reason would she have to harm them? The world is just full of bad stuff and bad people that I cannot understand. All you can do is keep doing the good that you do, and save the next ones. And make sure that other foster care people and shelters have her name on the "do not adopt" listing if at all possible. A prayer is going out for the little ones.

[Flur]

This is horrible. Is there a way for you to get the police involved? I would think this counts as animal cruelty...

The kind of people that would do this sort of thing make me sick.

[sbctwin]

Oh, Smilingcat. I am so sorry you have to deal with this. You give so much to your fosters and for something like this to happen to your furbabies, is just horrible. You did not fail the kittens, that woman did. How can people be so mean to take it out on the defenselss:(

[OakLeaf]

(((((((Smilingcat & kitties)))))))

I'm so sorry this happened. There's no reason to blame yourself.

Thank you for all you do fostering the kittens. I have friends who do that so I know how heartbreaking it can be.

[beccaB]

Some kids on my bus route had an adorable tuxedo kitten that I enjoyed watching play in the leaves as I was picking up the kids. Of course I knew I would have to watch for the cat every time I pulled up to the bus stop. I even let one of the kids know that I had seen the kitten in the road as I was driving by one day. I found out today that the kitten had gotten hit by a car over the weekend. My heart just breaks, and I just want to strangle people for being so irresponsible.
My neighbors, on the other hand, have a feral cat colony, and I think maybe I should call the county animal control. I firmly believe cats should be spayed and neutered and kept in the house if at all possible. I can't even feed the birds anymore.

[Grog]

This is truly awful... I am so sorry...

[Trek420]

(((((((Smilingcat, smilingcat partner & kitties)))))))

Thank you for fostering.

Everyone please spay neuter your pets. There aren't enough Smilingcat families and good homes for all. And if you're thinking of a pet please adopt a shelter pet.

On behalf of my mutt (who likes cats if they are "her" cats) we thank you.

Here my contractor takes a "kitten break" while Mae watches Hoodie, H's abandoned feral kitten. Mae'd been licking the kitten a moment earlier.

*note, yes I've gotten rid of that rug.

[beccaB]

To Trek420-
Are those the 3 things you love the most in the whole world? Your bike, your cat and your dog! What a cute picture!
My brother just told me he is considering getting a "used dog" Meaning, a shelter dog. I thought that was cute!

[Trek420]

Well my contractor is not one of my 3 favorite things :rolleyes: ;) (though if you're lurking, H, you are doing a great job). She fostered this kitten, we were going to adopt but .... she fell in love with the kitten. So while glad to play a part in socializing the kitten, Mae misses the kitten, I get to visit.

Hoodie who turned into a great cat, fearless, playful, great with dogs.

Used dogs/cats rule!! I think they know they've been given a second chance by volunteers like Smilingcat, and they reward you. Get a used pet, don't even look at the odometer :cool:

[Biciclista]

There is something you can do. You can tell everyone in the pet industry in your neck of the woods this woman's name and any other info you have about her.
Here in the state of washington we have a "DO NOT ADOPT" list
and even if we SUSPECT something is not right, we circulate that person's name.
PLEASE share information with all the foster cat ladies and the local humane society and whomever else is in a position to adopt out pets. If she really did these cats harm, she'll do it again. In the name of your dearly departed, you owe it to the rest of the cat nation to spread this woman's info around.

Thanks

[Blueberry]

(((((Smilingcat and 2 kittens)))))))

Please don't let one bad experience stop you from doing all of the good work you do. Sometimes people suck:(

[arielmoon]

(((Smilingcat & kitties)))

Please dont be hard on yourself for the actions of other careless people. You do a wonderful thing by fostering and loving the kittens. Then it is up to someone else to take proper care of them. Try to remember how many kittens you have raised that have gone to wonderful homes.

[Iris616]

I'm so sorry you have to go through this. It makes me sick that some one could hurt an animal.

[wackyjacky1]

smilingcat, try not to beat yourself up, there's no way you could have known. Do what Biciclista says and circulate this psychopathic woman's info so she won't have access to any more animals.

My little cat, Erin, was only 3 weeks old when I found her. She was stuck in a mud puddle in the pouring rain, and about to drown. She was so young that I had to bottle-feed her and do all the other stuff you mentioned. As a result, she and I have a really close bond, so I can totally understand your heartbreak.

It's not your fault. There are sick people out there. :(

[Ninabike]

That is so horrible, it is almost unthinkable!! But don't let this make you give up on the wonderful work you are doing. Just think of the beautiful lives you have given to so many kitties, and what gifts these have been to the good people who now treasure them. My kitties send you and your kitties {{{{{{Hugs}}}}}.

[NoNo]

What a sick thing. How do you take in not one, but two defenseless kittens, knowing you have no intention of caring for them? I sincerely hope she didn't actually kill them, but maybe let them loose, and hopefully a good soul will find them and give them the care they deserve. Big hugs to you and your partner, you're doing a wonderful thing and I hope this doesn't deter you from continuing on.

[LBTC]

Smilingcat, everyone has said all that there is to say. I'm sending blue butterflies to you to help ease your heart, and glittering gold butterflies to those kittens, wherever they may be.

Thank you for all you do.

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[newfsmith]

In Massachusetts, you would report your suspicians to the MSPCA and they would investigate, and if true, they would bring charges. Having worked as a vet tech for 25 years, I know that they DO investigate, and they are pretty thorough. Animal cruelty charges in this state are serious, and can result in jail time, although probabtion is more typical.

[smilingcat]

The person who runs the organization is go get'em kind and she is already on it. Her husband is a trial lawyer, and we have good working relationship with our local animal control. We also have a police officer in our organization and she works for the DA's office so I think she has bit more pull then the regular guy on the beat. We are checking into this woman's past. Find out her real name... She's proven to be a pathological liar so my partner and several of the ladies are going after her big time.

Word has already gone out to the other rescue groups in the greater los angeles area and even up in SF area. And look out notice for the kittens with pictures have gone out to all the vets in the area. Someone else is checking with the shelter as well.

I hope to find out if animal control will open a case of animal cruelty aainst this woman. Still sad that all this will not bring back Minnie-mouse, the one with white chin, and Gracie.

And thank you for all your kind word. I'm going to be lot more pickier about who gets to adopt my babies. And I've requested to have a cooling off period for kitten and puppy adopion. We don't want an impulse adoption. That is something you may want to think about. have the potential new family wait a week and think it over before they can pick up a kitten or a puppy.

When we used to call them, they would come running up to us and minnie-mouse would go meow-meow-meow really fast and they loved being held in our arms...

I'm still crying at my office. I think I'm going to take a half a day off...
And thank you all for leting me cry on your shoulders.

[Biciclista]

{{{{Smiling Cat}}}}

[tulip]

Hugs to you and your partner and all the other cats that you foster. Sounds like a good team is on the ball.

[Trek420]

And thank you all for leting me cry on your shoulders.

That's what we're here for :o You know I'm not what anyone would call traditionally religious but I think there's a special place in he]] for anyone who would harm a pet. :mad:

[crazycanuck]

(((SC))) You're a good woman.

Some folks just need a slap up side the head. In this case, it would be from quite a few folks & would hurt :mad:

[Trek420]

I'd like a nice quiet moment in a dark alley with the perp. :mad: calm down Trek, let's keep TE a non-violent space

[PamNY]

Smilingcat, I'm so sorry. There are lots of things I admire about folks who do animal rescue, and the ability to handle situations such as this is one of them. You are being brave and risking a broken heart, but that's the only way to do all the good you've done (and will do).

I once placed a dog in a bad situation (with the blessing of a well-known dog expert - ugh) and I have never shed so many tears as when I got that dog back. He did not die physically, but he was very nearly ruined. I honestly think I have never cried so much, and I'll probably cry again in a minute from thinking about him and thinking about your situation.

You and I both know you can't guarantee a perfect outcome for every animal you place. But if you are like me, you are going to suffer anyway. I hope you find peace, and I hope you have plenty of support IRL. I also hope you can reconnect with the joy of the happy cats you've placed in loving homes.

I'm glad you can get the word out to shelters and the rescue community, and I hope justice can be done.

Pam

[bmccasland]

((((((((((Smilingcat & Smilingpartner)))))))))))

I'm so sorry to read this. My rescue furballs, er, Well loved Kitties :o, send loving purrrs your way.

You can cry on our shoulders anytime.

[mary9761]

((((((((((Smilingcat and kitties)))))))))) Big hugs and kitty nuzzles from my 2 furbabies Whiskers and Friskey and myself. I'm so sorry this happened:( Karma is a ***** and I wouldn't want hers.:mad:

[nancielle]

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb273/nancielle/HPIM1592-1-1.jpg


What a horrible thing to do. Smilingcat, you didn't fail those kittens, that sorry excuse for a human did.

[carpaltunnel]

I'd like a nice quiet moment in a dark alley with the perp. calm down Trek, let's keep TE a non-violent space

Ditto for me. {{{{{Smiling Cat}}}}} You did the best you could. Don't beat yourself up. Let's hope some justice comes to this sick evil person.

[smilingcat]

Thank you for all your kind words. I just have to let go of my anger and get myself back together now. I have three kittens who need a permanent home. The three kids are growing up so fast... bit rowdy

Then, I have seven of my own cats to take care. They been feeling bit neglected so I have to give lots of attention to them. One even took a nip (love bite) under my upper arm, "mom I want to be held too and my head scratched."

When I can get a decent photos together, which is next to impossible, I'll put together a photo album.

Anyway, I decided to take the day off... It's a nice cool day here. Rained most of the night and bit this morning. Already dropped my partner at a polling place. Yes she's working at a polling place. I need to catch up on my lost sleep.

------------------
As for the woman who killed my two cats, only thing we can get her on is animanl abandonment, a misdeamenor (sp). There is enough to go on. And we spoke to her sister. What she didn't say told us so much. The woman is basically insane! and one helluva good con artist.

The problem with my partner and me is that our hearts are kind and we could never have imagined someone so evil. It never ever crossed our minds that there are sick people who will go out of their way...
I just have to let go. I hope you understand.

And thank you again for all your generous and kind words. Yes after our hearts are back together and bit of time off, we will most likely foster again.

smilingcat

suns finally breaking through the clouds and air is so clean... The ocean is still fogged in a bit though...

[TsPoet]

I have a good friend who does the foster dog thing - letting them go is the hard part. You have no choice but to trust people to be as caring as you are! You are not responsible for people who aren't - you do so much more than your share.
After meeting my friend, I sent an email to the foster mom of my Finn, just letting her know Finn (my 2 yr old shiba-x) was fine and healthy!
All of you folks who do so much wonderful work, that precludes you keeping them all yourself, deserve kudos and encouragement.
I think all of us who've benefited by having a wonderful companion courtesy of someone like you, need to thank the foster moms/dads!

I thank ALL foster moms/dads!!!!

[Brandi]

I swear sometimes the human race really let's you down. I am sickend to death about hearing about this. I hope karma catches up with this lady. i hope other foster parents and shelter's are warned about her too. I am kinda fostering a cat right now who lives up the street. he comes in my house for a meal and some quite time. his owner's are splitting up and he is being ignored. he suffers from terrible cysts on his face too. I clean them up for him and also give him flea stuff. But until they surrender him to me I can't go much further but give him a warm place to hang out. My other cats are not sure about him but they seem to be getting used to him. You can only do so much you know. The fact that you foster any kitten is a wonderful thing. I would want to keep them all.

[Brandi]

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb273/nancielle/HPIM1592-1-1.jpg


What a horrible thing to do. Smilingcat, you didn't fail those kittens, that sorry excuse for a human did.
Yeaaaaa I 2nd that! Evil lady! it will come back to her!