Cats
7 Common FAQs About Cat Fostering
Feb
If you love felines and you don’t have one yet, you may want to consider cat fostering. Now, if you already thought about it, but you are in doubt, then we have answers.
Cat fostering is not as easy as you think. Yes, you’ve probably thought about it carefully and that is wonderful. However, if you really want to give the best to a kitty that has been through a lot, you need to think again. Remember that you’ll be taking a new creature into a forever home. What better way to welcome your new furry friend than with a premium cat enclosure?
Just like many feline owners, you probably had these questions about cat fostering, right? So, we’ll help clear your minds. We have compiled all common frequently asked questions about cat fostering below. We’re hoping that at the end of this article, you will have an idea what to expect.
1. How do I find the right cat shelter or rescue in my area?
Google is your friend. A quick search online can give you a list of credible and reliable names of shelters, rescues, and foster homes in your place. But how will you know that you chose the right one?
Of course, you need to start by contacting each one of the possible shelters in your place. From there, you can ask for the names and contact details of the foster moderator. You can then ask what supplies they provide, and what costs you must pay for. If there are any, ask what sort of vet care will be involved in fostering cats.
Use the time wisely to learn everything about the vision and mission of the foster home. It would be great if you can ask them what they expect from possible foster parents like you. If you don’t feel that you are a good fit, try moving on to the next shelter on your list.
2. What sorts of things do I need to provide or give?
Generally, a rescue shelter will give foster parents the basic necessities needed by the kittens. For instance, they will provide you with litter trays, food, and cat beds. They will sometimes provide medications at no cost at all. Other rescues will give you more, such as cat carriers and cat scratching posts.
Then again, contacting them ahead and asking about these things will really be helpful. That way, you can clarify what things you need to be a great foster parent.
After the shelter or foster home provides the basic needs of the cats, you will have to be responsible for giving the animals a healthy and safe environment to grow. The secret is to have a place that is great for socializing and playing.
Though rare, there are times when you will have to prepare for transport costs and veterinary appointments. This is especially true during pet emergencies.
If you also bring home a bottle-fed kitten, you might need to provide 24/7 care. So before you even decide to foster cats, make sure you have decided what cat age matches your lifestyle.
When a cat is ready to be adopted, you might even be asked to get involved in selecting an adopter. Sometimes, you will be held responsible to transport the cats to the adoption center. But this will still depend on your agreement with the rescue or foster home.
3. Is a huge room required to foster cats?
No, you don’t necessarily need a huge room to begin cat fostering. In fact, many foster cat parents only have a spare room that is enough to keep kittens in.
Basically, the younger the cat, the smaller the space it will need. As they grow, they will definitely need more room for playing, socializing, and exploring.
4. How many kittens do I need to foster?
Shelters will often recommend fostering two or more kittens because these creatures love socializing. As they grow up, they will need each other to learn and play. It’s important for them to easily get along not only with humans, but also with their fellow felines. With other cats nearby, they won’t feel bored and lonely. And your job as a fosterer will be easier as you need not spend all your day playing with them.
5. How long does it take to foster cats?
Depending on their age, the amount of time required for cat fostering varies. In general, the older the cats, the closer they will be to the age they will be listed down for adoption. Based on the experience of many foster parents, it will take weeks or months.
6. Can my resident pets play with my foster cats?
Kittens are vulnerable to many illnesses. Sometimes, they are the primary carriers of the illnesses, too. Thus, it is recommended to quarantine them in a separate area, so they won’t be in contact with your other pets.
After they receive their required vet care and when they are old enough, you might be allowed to let them interact with your home pets.
7. What if I you don’t want to say goodbye to your foster cats?
For many cat foster parents, saying goodbye is a difficult thing to do. But you should know that goodbye is your goal. You want your foster cats to grow up strong and healthy and you want to prepare them to live the best life with a forever family.
If you enjoyed your experience as a cat foster parent and the cat gets adopted, then great. You can then save more kitties in the future. But if you really fell in love with a foster cat, you can talk with the foster coordinator of the foster home. You can consider adopting it.
We hope that we have answered your questions about cat fostering.
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