Foster carers be warned! If you look after a litter of fuzzballs this kitten season there is a strong chance you may cave and adopt one. For Stephanie, it happened quicker than expected…within moments of holding Bandit, it was destined to be a foster fail.
Stephanie couldn't believe her luck when she was asked to foster a litter of four tinny black kittens in July. The litter of four had been surrendered to RSPCA's Lonsdale shelter and quickly required in-home care before they would be old enough to be desexed and adopted out.
"The whole litter was super cuddly and adorable. I mean who doesn't love kittens?" says Stephanie.
It was love at first sight for foster carer Stephanie and her new foster cat Bandit, a gorgeous black and white domestic short hair kitten. There was that instantaneous connection between the pair - you could tell they were going to be best friends as soon as Banit meowed and wrapped her paws around Stephanie's arm.
"She meowed at me and put her paw up," says Stephanie with a huge grin on her face.
"I reached down, and she wrapped her paws around my arm. Then, as I stood up and she ran up my arm to my shoulder purring and rubbing her cheek against mine."
Over the following weeks, Stephanie dedicated her spare time to socialising all four kittens and preparing them the best she could for adoption.
After being separated I knew that I just had to have Bandit in my life.
When the kittens were old enough to be desexed, Stephanie was faced with one of the hardest points in a foster carer's journey - saying goodbye.
All four were relocated to a nearby Petbarn store, where they awaited adoption. When Stephanie returned home she felt there was a kitten-sized hole left in her life. The loungeroom felt quiet and empty, she was beginning to miss her little snuggly companion.
Bandit was on the brain, and Stephanie just had to pay him one last visit. When arriving at Petbarn Stephanie was surprised to find all four kittens were still there.
As Stephanie approached the cage Bandit immediately recognized her.
"Bandit meowed and stretched her paw towards me, looking into my eyes. I nearly died, I had tears in my eyes. That's when I knew for sure that Bandit had decided we were her family and she had to come home with us," says Stephanie.
Without any hesitation, Stephanie ran over to the counter and completed the adoption process so she could take Bandit home with her straight away.
Life couldn't be better without Bandit.
Stephanie says Bandit has settled in really well with the family. " She's a soft, smoochie ball of love. She is always there to greet me with cuddles and purrs."
It was important for Stephanie to test how Bandit would interact with her two dogs. When the three did finally meet Stephanie said all her stress flew straight out the window. "Bandit's the boss of the house now. She enjoys wrestling with the puppy and giving them both kisses, she has fit in really well", she laughed.
As each day goes by, Bandit's confidence grows. She loves sitting on Stephanie's shoulder, riding around the house being part of everything she does. Bandit has also learned how to turn the laser pointer toy on at 2 am to keep herself amused, but most of all she loves to play games with anyone and everyone in the family.
She's so affectionate.
With a huge smirk on her face, Stephanie recalls some of the best loving moments she has already shared with Bandit and catching moments like these below, sitting by the front door with her sister.
"When holding Bandit, she gently holds your face between her paws, purring while looking deep into your eyes, then either rubs noses or cheeks with you", says Stephanie. "I couldn't imagine our home without her now. I'm so glad I failed with this foster!"
If you're considering opening your heart and home to a rescued animal, head over here to see all our animals currently available for adoption.
