Foster
Fostering a cat is a wonderful and rewarding experience that provides temporary care for stray cats until they find their forever homes. By opening your home to a foster cat, you are giving them a chance to thrive in a loving environment.
FOSTER PROCESS
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Application: Fill out our fostering application form with your details and availability.
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Virtual Tour: Send us a video tour of your home, highlighting the areas where the cat will have access.
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Pickup: Arrange to pick up the cat from the designated location, which may be the nearest airport, another foster's home, or an adopter who needs to give up the cat.
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Adoption: When the cat is ready for adoption, coordinate with the adopter to arrange a suitable pickup time that works for both parties.
FOSTER DURATION
Typical Duration:
Kittens: Fostering usually lasts 1-3 weeks.
Cats over 6 months: Fostering typically lasts 1-3 months.
Minimum Commitment:
We request that potential fosters commit to a minimum of 3 months in case placement takes longer than expected.
Temporary Fostering:
Emergencies sometimes require fosters for just a few days. These are known as temporary fosters and are suitable for individuals or families who want to help but cannot commit to long-term fostering. Temporary fostering is ideal for those with busy schedules, limited space, or those who are new to fostering and want to start with a shorter commitment. It’s also perfect for people who may travel frequently but have short periods of availability. Temporary fostering has a known end date, making it easier to plan around your schedule.
EXPECTATIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES
Daily Care and Health:
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Feeding: Provide regular, nutritious meals and fresh water.
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Litter Box Maintenance: Clean and maintain the litter box daily.
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Exercise and Play: Ensure the cat gets regular exercise and mental stimulation through play.
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Safety: Create a safe environment free from hazards, and keep the cat indoors unless on a leash or in a secure outdoor enclosure.
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Interaction: Spend quality time interacting with the cat to help them become more sociable and comfortable with humans.
Communication:
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Regular Updates: Provide regular updates to the Foster Coordinator about the cat’s health, behavior, and any concerns.
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Behavior Monitoring: Observe and report on the cat’s behavior and temperament, noting any issues or progress.
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Availability: Be responsive to communications from our team and notify us promptly of any changes in your availability or circumstances.
Adoption Preparation:
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Profile Updates: Help create or update the cat’s adoption profile with photos and descriptions.
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Meet and Greets: Facilitate meetings with potential adopters when necessary, providing insights into the cat’s personality and needs.
Costs and Supplies:
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Provided Supplies: We will supply essentials such as food, litter, and basic medical care. If local groups or community resources offer these items for free, we recommend utilizing them. We will provide any items not available through these local sources.
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Purchasing Supplies: If you buy additional supplies with our funds and later stop fostering, you must transfer these items to another foster.
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Veterinary Costs: We cover vet expenses with prior approval for non-emergencies. For emergencies where we are unresponsive, seek immediate care. Costs due to negligence are not covered.
"I fostered two little cats for the first time last year. It was an incredible joy, to see how the little ones became more and more familiar & how I also got to grips with the new role. Fostering is very easy & you quickly provide cats with a home that is urgently needed, you can also learn a lot about yourself during this wonderful time. Seeing how happy and grateful the little creatures are that you are preparing them for their forever home is the most beautiful thing about fostering."
Stefanie Qupidas- Bern, Switzerland