The year in review — 2015

What a year! This past year was my second full year of fostering.

Although it felt like I had kittens all summer long the last of Claire’s “Outlanders” was adopted June 26 (Hi Katie!) and I didn’t get the “Braves” until August 14. Still, it’s been pretty busy around here. When I do have kittens they’re a lot of work and even the adults I’ve had the last while have mostly been “special needs” in one way or another.

Still one of my favourite photos!

The maximum number of cats in my household at one time was twelve. I had some fun going back and looking at the numbers (and my feeling toward them) build:

• Four
• Five
• Nine

Some other numbers:

• 36: number of fosters this year, including Tabitha (who was already here at the beginning of the year), Leah (who was only here a few hours + a weekend), and Brooklyn — 20 were kittens!
• 6: most countries represented by blog readers in one day
• 12: number of q-tip-type swabs used to clean out one kitten’s — Hamish! — ears (by a professional. I would be extremely reluctant to start poking around in an adult cat’s ears. I’d never stick anything in a kitten’s ears!!!) I’m sure someone, somewhere has used more than this on an adult cat but I bet you’d have a hard time finding more than that used on a kitten. This, plus wiping with gauze squares, plus whatever chunks he shook out of his ears! He really was a gross little dude.
• 63.63 lbs (28.86 kg): maximum weight (so far) of cat/kitten supplies transported home without a car
• 2700: approximate number of cats rescued by TCR in 2015!!

I had my first run to the emergency clinic and I had my first death although, technically, not until he left here. Poor Carson died of FIP a week after being adopted. I also had my first bonded pair. I had my fastest adoption ever — that is, the adoption itself. I’ve had plenty of cats for shorter periods than she was with me.

Some adopters have sent updates, some have kept in touch. Others, not.

York Mills Animal Hospital became my home-away-from-home as well as my personal vet clinic.

Ella has been, by far, the most work. Even more than eight kittens, though not as many groceries! 😉  I wonder if she’d have been as much work if she hadn’t had coccidia?

Claire required the most follow-up care — ongoing.

Cora and Hamish were my nearest “foster fails”. Maybe Hamish by a nose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can’t wait to see what — and who! — 2016 brings.

Happy New Year, everyone!