Rehoming kittens- ideas?

[4horses]

I have 3 fosters right now. A momma cat and 2 kittens. Between the hurricanes in Florida and everything else, I have had no luck getting them adopted. So far I’ve taken them to Petco, Petsense, and there’s another adoption event on Saturday. I’ve advertised on Facebook, posted cute pictures and nothing. The kittens are getting bigger and I’m becoming afraid I won’t be able to find them homes.

Any suggestions? The rescue I am working with is a private rescue (rather than a humane society). It means they have no formal adoption room, so they are not much help, other than trying to organize adoption events on weekends.

I can’t discount the adoption fee because it’s the fee the rescue set. ($100 for kittens and $50 for adult cats). I don’t think that’s unreasonable as it doesn’t even cover the cost of their spay/deworming or shots.

The darker kitten (Eva) is becoming attached to me and I’m starting to think I wouldn’t mind keeping her. But I can’t have 7 cats! Someone needs to get adopted.

I can’t in good conscious return them to a cage in the shelter as they will end up lifelong residents in a tiny cage.

[Foxglove]

You are doing a great job! Wonderful photos and beautiful kittens!! However, I think the cost is the problem. Here, the Humane Society offers cats and kittens for $10 --and that includes all shots and spay or neuter.

[SMF11]

Where are you located?

[trubandloki]

@Foxglove

Here, the Humane Society offers cats and kittens for $10

That is crazy cheap.
Where I am, the $100 fee would be considered quite reasonable for a rescue that is up to date on everything and is neutered.

What the OP is competing with price wise is free kittens that are not up to date on anything and not neutered, but the people adopting ignore the fact that it will cost them more in the long run.

[Foxglove]

@SMF11 -Elkhart, Indiana --Elkhart County Humane Society : https://elkharthumanesociety.org/

[aregard]

When I was looking for kittens, I wanted kittens that were a touch older than the “normal” 6 weeks, because I was looking for kittens that mama had taught to hunt. I wanted useful barn cats.

Do you adopt to outside homes, or only inside homes?

If you adopt to outside homes, maybe make a point of marketing them as hunters that have been trained by mama already?

[GraceLikeRain]

First, thank you! Fostering is critically needed. Depending on what you count as foster vs respite vs unofficial work I’m pushing 75 kittens give or take at this point.

Photos are everything. Personally, I’m not a big costume type but it may work for some.

If you have an iPhone, take photos in portrait setting. You want maximum natural light and a completely neutral background. Have them look straight at the camera. You’re competing against hundreds of other precious cats. Sometimes a gen Z is a great resource for getting that really eye catching photo.

I format my bios with

Name, age (date as a reference point), gender and a fun descriptor in sentence one. I think explain a little about their needs, and then next steps. It gets WAY more traction than a one sentence.

Meet Karl! He’s an 8 week old (as of 10/16/24) energetic boy looking for a forever family. He loves playing with toys and chasing after you. He’s been living with adult cats and his siblings so he would love a playmate. He has not met children or dogs but has a confident attitude and would thrive in any environment. He would be a fantastic match for an active home that enjoys lots of play time followed by major couch snuggles. Once tired he is all about quality time and getting cuddled. He’s ready for adoption and accepting applications.

[beowulf]

Might be worth signal blasting this on your local eventing community’s FB page. Good luck, thank you for fostering. They all look adorable, especially momma.

[paint_hunter]

That little grey kitten could come live with me. I lost my old grey boy a couple of weeks ago and miss a little grey face in my herd.

[Fiesta01]

@4horses

I can’t discount the adoption fee because it’s the fee the rescue set. ($100 for kittens and $50 for adult cats).

If you think the fees are the problem in finding homes and you can find homes for them otherwise, I will pay the adoption fees. Just send me a PM for contact info. Thanks for taking care of them!!

[GraceLikeRain]

Lark was such a joy to foster. She and Forrest, the brown tabby, were part of my 2021 fostering. That being said, if you or anyone you know of the southeast is looking for a tuxedo female….my PM are open

[OverandOnward]

First, thank you for taking such wonderful care of these kitties.

They are so adorable – and wearing purple pearls! (Well plastic ones. )

I agree with showing them around the horse community (marketing or in person). There are horse people who will appreciate what you have invested in their care. And also who have the dosh they will gladly pay for a cute rescue kitty, knowing they are only partially reimbursing expenses.

Also, as mentioned above, personally I wouldn’t be too concerned if they don’t find homes right away. There may be adopters who would rather have kittens with a bit more maturity and time with Momma Kitty. IMO it makes for a more stable temperament. Nothing wrong with showing them around now, putting the word out, and then waiting for the right homes to find you, as it were.