how to acclimate cats to each other

[shunka]

I foster dogs and cats for a local shelter. I have had a young male cat for about 2 months now. He is appx 7 mos old and is becoming more friendly every day. My job is to socialize him with dogs and cats so he will be adoptable eventually. Time is not important. He is a beautiful, sweet, playful little guy and I enjoy him immensely. He is just becoming accustomed to my 3 older dogs who do not bother him or my other 3 cats at all. I think I can socialize him to the point of being adopted but it will take another 3-4 months at least. In the meantime, I have been asked to foster a second male who is 5 yrs old, just recently neutered, and responsible for the deaths of two 6 week old kittens. I would take him in a second if it weren't for the young male I already am fostering. Does anyone know if the older male would cause a problem for the younger one at this delicate stage of his socializing. Would like some feedback to make the right decision. Right now I'm leaning toward saying no to the older male. Thanks for your help.

[melissaranks]

While fostering animals helps them, I think fostering an older agressive male could be detrimental to the foster you already have. You would have to constantly watch them to make sure the aggressive one doesn't pick on the little one.

[Traci]

Were you given any other information on the nature of behavior that lead to the demise of the kittens? Was he neutered before or after the incident, and does he have any primary health conditions?