I usually foster very young bottle babies, I’m encountering a new experience with my first older fosters and would greatly appreciate the wisdom of this group.
Here’s the scenario: I’m taking care of two 8 week old kittens, arrived at shelter with colds so they couldn’t be with the rest. Unknown back story. They stay in a large pet playpen. They’re skittish but generally fine to handle. Day two I let them into a contained room for some play time. Time for bed, kitten 1 lets me pick him up no problem. Kitten 2 runs! Trying to get her contained again is a nightmare and she’s super stressed. Yikes. Gave it a try again day three, same results. She won’t be coaxed, can’t sneak up on her, treats are ignored, won’t engage in play directly with me, doesn’t let down her guard for me to come near at all. It’s a full on three stooges episode that ends with her traumatized. Unfortunately I don’t have the ability to leave them in that room unsupervised - it’s playpen or limited supervised roam time.
So my questions are: Am I overestimating the need for kittens this age to run and play in a larger space? Is it ok to leave them confined to the playpen for the foreseeable future? It seems cruel, and my foster role to socialize is important but that cuts both ways if she’s traumatized by the excursions. If I should be letting her out, any other strategies I can try to reduce stress when it’s time to be picked up? Thanks!!!!
#FosteringaPet