Fostering

“You might be temporary in their lives. They might be temporary in your home. But there is nothing temporary about the love or the lesson.” -Tania Christle

FOSTERING SAVES LIVES

By opening up your heart and home to a cat or kittens in need of a safe space, you are giving these animals a second chance at life. 

Being a foster is a rewarding experience, driven by love and detailed care, to ensure a positive future for the cat or kittens in your care. 

As a foster, you care for these animals until they find their forever home.  See below for timelines and information on specific ages of cats and kittens

Bottle Baby Kittens– These kittens range from 0 – 4 weeks old and need to be fed every 2 – 5 hours, depending on their age, including overnight.  These kittens are generally fostered for 6 -12 weeks, or until they find their forever families.                      

Weaned Kittens– These kittens range from 5 – 10 weeks old and need to be fed every 5 – 6 hours, depending on their age, with kibble available 24/7.  These kittens are generally fostered for 4 – 6 weeks, or until they find their forever families.

Teens- These kittens range from 10 weeks to 4 months old and are fed twice a day, with kibble available 24/7.  These kittens are fostered until they find their forever families.

Mom & Babies – Mamacats provide most of the care for their kittens until the babies are about 6 weeks old. Caring for a Mamacat and her babies is one of the easier foster experiences since Mama does most of the work, while you focus on supporting Mama through regular feedings.  The kittens are generally with their foster until 10-12 weeks old, or until they find their forever families.  Occasionally we will move babies to another foster once they are weaned around 7 or 8 weeks.  Mamacats are fostered until they are adopted.

Adult Cats –  Adult cats range from 5 months to 15+ years.  They are generally integrated into the home and family just like your personal cats, but on a temporary basis.  Adult cats stay in foster until they are adopted, which ran range from weeks to months, and sometimes years, depending on the age, breed, and personality of the kitty.

GENERAL KITTEN FOSTERING INFORMATION

Sleep Space:

This space can be as small as a playpen, crate or bathroom, or as big as your entire home! But it’s always nice to have a specific area set aside for the babies to sleep and hangout safely in when you aren’t home to monitor them – especially in the first few weeks! See below for some great Sleep Space examples

 

“Zoomies” Space:

This space should be approximately the size of a large bedroom or bedroom & hallway. This is a playzone for the babies, especially after 6 weeks, when they must have space to stretch their legs and chase one another during zoomies and WWE matches. Playtime is important for baby enrichment and they should be able to run about at least twice a day for about an hour or more.

 

Cuddle Space:

This space is where YOU are. The babies should be given the opportunity once or twice a day (or more!) to spend quiet time with their foster humans, cuddle, and learn to be “lapcats”. This can happen in the office when you’re working, in the living room with the family after dinner, or in one of the older kids bedrooms for snuggle time. Whatever works for you!

 

For more information, details, and instructional videos on fostering kittens, visit kittenlady.org

To volunteer to foster, please contact the chapter closest to you here