What to do about my foster kitties?

[mikischo]

For those of you who might have missed it, the following thread gives the background as to how I came to have these kitties:

http://www.pets.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=67795

An update:

The younger boy who owns Punky and Twinky (yep, her name is actually Twinky; finally got it straight) came in mid January to take the two kitties. He said he had rented a house in the neighbourhood (just one street over and a little bit down so I would likely still be seeing them). I gave him my telephone number and asked him to give me his so we could at least be aware of their whereabouts (they are both indoor/outdoor kitties). He said he didn't have a phone yet but would have one in a few days. Well five days later, Punky returned and (still feeling that this was where he lived) stayed, even though he had the opportunity to go back to the other house. The boy didn't phone me and I had no way of contacting him. Nine days later, the boy showed up at my door with Twinky, saying the house had been broken into and he wasn''t staying there right now and he didn't want to leave Twinky in the house alone so could I look after her for a while again. I am glad that he feels he can trust me to take good care of the kitties and that, under the circumstances, he brought her back to me. That is now about three weeks ago.

What do I do if and when they come back for them? The kitties were with them for quite a number of years and I am not disputing that they belong to them. The younger boy really does love those kitties and treats them well. He has had Punky since he was a kitten (at least 12 years) and he is his first kitty.

However, there are some things I am not comfortable about. This has been the kitties' neighbourhood for a lot of years. The boy, although I really believe he cares about them, doesn't do a good job about keeping track of them. Punky was back with me for over a week and no one phoned me or came to my door to make sure he was here and not lost or injured somewhere (or worse). These are young men who likely have a lot of priorities and perhaps they just have the attitude that nothing bad will happen to the kitties. Punky is neutered and not one to stray far. If he is gone for more than a couple of hours I start to become concerned, yet he can be gone for over a week and they don't check on his whereabouts (just assume that he is safe and with me). Also, although Punky is in very good health, he is getting older. I know they are not familiar with problems that may come up with a cat as he/she ages. I am concerned about the quality of care he will receive as he gets older.

I have grown to love these kitties and would be willing to continue to keep them and look after their needs. Do I have the right to express these feelings and ask if I can keep them, when they return for them. They might still insist on taking them. I don't want to separate this boy from the cats he loves as best he can but I am quite concerned about their future well being. The cats love it here and view this as being their home.

Anybody, what are your thoughts on this?