Help!!

Hello All:  I adopted a kitten from the pound yesterday.  Vet called this morning and he is only 4 weeks old.  I do know how to care for young kittens.  Raised a 3 week old, lots of work.  Anyway, I emailed the pound and they want me to foster the mom.  I would love to.  But here is my problem:

1. DH does not want me to foster because he's afraid I won't give her back.
2. I have another female who is 8 months old and is cat friendly.
3.  I have a golden retriever who is huge but was raised by cats and loves kitties to an extreme!!
4.  I know NOTHING about the mom and how she copes with other animals.

Any advice is WELCOMED!!  By the way, I will give the mother cat back but would ask the pound NOT to euthanize her without contacting me first.  I'd take her and try to rehome her.

Thanks,
Sara

[April2]

I like your idea of asking that the mother cat not be euthanized without contacting you first. I think that's exactly what I would do.
I think it's a good idea to let the Mama cat continue to mother and nurse this little youngster until the mother and baby both are ready to wean. This litttle guy is just so young to be seperated from him Mama right now. Usually they don't recommend a kitten or puppy be seperated until they are at least 8 weeks old.
The mother cat is so important to his development, not only because of the milk and comfort but also because she teaches him how to survive and what's ok behavior and not ok, like nipping, etc.
I hope your husband will agree to you keeping the Mama cat at least for a little while until this little guy is bigger and more independant.

I'm actually surprised the pound would adopt out a kitten that young. Usually they have the mother cat and kittens in a foster home until all the kittens are ready to be adopted out (around 8 weeks old). Are they in foster care or at the pound? Are there any other siblings, do you know? Just wondering!
I hope this all works out for you! Keep in touch!

[April2]

I like your idea of asking that the mother cat not be euthanized without contacting you first. I think that's exactly what I would do.
I think it's a good idea to let the Mama cat continue to mother and nurse this little youngster until the mother and baby both are ready to wean. This litttle guy is just so young to be seperated from him Mama right now. Usually they don't recommend a kitten or puppy be seperated until they are at least 8 weeks old.
The mother cat is so important to his development, not only because of the milk and comfort but also because she teaches him how to survive and what's ok behavior and not ok, like nipping, etc.
I hope your husband will agree to you keeping the Mama cat at least for a little while until this little guy is bigger and more independant.

I'm actually surprised the pound would adopt out a kitten that young. Usually they have the mother cat and kittens in a foster home until all the kittens are ready to be adopted out (around 8 weeks old). Are they in foster care or at the pound? Are there any other siblings, do you know? Just wondering!
I hope this all works out for you! Keep in touch!

[zodiacqueen]

I totally agree w/ April!  Momma cat can do a much better job at feeding the baby then any of us could!  Beg your hubby to reconsider!

[opus88]

April has given you very in-depth and excellent advice. It would be so good if you could take in momma and give this little guy a much better start in life. I would add that like Nancyjac does with her foster kitties is to keep them separated from her own pets...this for health and also safety reasons, bringing another adult cat into a home can cause problems with the resident critters.
good luck on your decision I'm sure it will be a well thought out one and the right choice will be made.
keep us posted.

[Jade59]

Hi Sara, give the pound a call back and see if someone can tell you how this mama kitty has reacted to the other animals at the pound or just what her nature seems to be in general.  Might give you an idea how she will react once she's in your home.  

Another idea.  I just read the live chat from this morning (you posted a ?) and if decide to pick up mama cat, take something that smells like your animals - rub the cheeks of your kitten and dog and take that with you so mama kitty can get used to their scent before she actually comes to your home.  I thought that was a good tip from Dr Osborne.

[Sarajmt]

Problem Solved!!  Hubby saw how little and scared the little guy is and relented.  I'll keep Mom and Smuttly in my bedroom and set them up in my bathroom.  It's fairly large and my kids and hubby have their own baths.  

Whew!!  Problem solved.  Thank you all!
Sara