Become a Foster Save a life.

Our foster care program provides temporary safe and loving homes to kittens and cats until they can return to our center and be adopted by their new family. This program offers a second chance to many animals who would not thrive in a shelter environment.

Animals enter the foster program because they are not ready for adoption, either because of behavioral reasons or because they are too young, sick, or injured.  Animals that have been in the shelter for extended stays can also benefit from time in a stable and nurturing home environment.  Fosters can last for as little as a few days, or as long as 4-8 weeks depending on the case.

Fosters and Bottle Feeders Needed for Orphaned Kittens

It’s kitten season and already over 60 kittens are in foster care. It’s easy to save lives with a short-term commitment and a spare bathroom or bedroom. Foster care is short-term (2-6 weeks) for adult cats who need experience in a home environment or for kittens who are not yet ready for adoption.

Your help is needed, as is your loving foster home. When you accept a cat or kittens, short-term, it helps us increase the number of cats and kittens we can help this year. Cat Depot will provide instruction and help with all your supply needs.

View our calendar of events for upcoming Foster Training dates.

Foster Orientation
To become a foster parent, contact the foster care coordinator and complete an application. The orientation will introduce you to the various foster opportunities, along with the benefits of each one. It will also include essential information on confinement areas, socialization, foster supplies, and other common concerns.

Points to Consider
Almost anyone can become a successful foster parent with a little education, flexibility, and commitment. There are however, some important points to consider.

• Foster animals must be kept separate from all resident animals
• Foster parents who may treat with advantage or a dewormer must document the treatment dates.
• Foster owners cannot give vaccines to shelter cats.
• Foster parents must commit to spending the minimum amount of time with their foster animals.
• Foster parents must be able to bring their animals to the hospital for check-ups and urgent care.
• Foster parents must agree to bring their foster animals back to the center at the end of the foster period.

Foster Program Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age
• Complete a Foster Parent Application
• Upon approval, complete and sign a Foster Care Agreement
• Provide required weight, medication and/or behavioral records for foster cat while in Foster Parent’s care
• Maintain consistent feeding schedules and daily care
• Uphold a disease free, safe and nurturing environment
• Provide daily play time and a loving foundation for cats and kittens in your care
• Allow inspection of home and location where foster cats/kittens will live

Note:  Services performed by Foster Parents are voluntary, and without salary, compensation, or employment
 

Click here to download a Foster Application.

View our calendar of events for the next Foster Training dates
.

To read the story "Why Did I Become a Foster?", click here.

A Love Story

A dedicated Cat Depot supporter and volunteer has opened her home to our sweet diabetic angel. Mighty Lou will finally get a break from the day to day happenings of the center. Good luck in your new foster home, Mighty Lou!

Free photo slideshow generated with Smilebox

For more information on becoming a foster, please email Karen, or call 941-366-2404.