We come across cats that have been abandoned, are lost, homeless, sick, etc. At other times, we may encounter a female cat with kittens that are too young to be adopted and need foster care. We may also find one or more orphaned kittens.

In all these cases, these cats/kittens need to be placed in foster care where they can be assessed for their personalities, observed for potential medical problems, taken to a vet for necessary medical treatment, be socialized to become more comfortable with humans. If we have rescued a family of young kittens, they need somewhere to live and time to grow before being fixed and of a suitable adoption age.

A foster home fills a vital role to ensure these cats and kittens get a second chance at a good life and forever home. Here is some more important information that will help you make the decision whether or not you would like to foster:

1. CatSpan Fostering Program provides all the food, supplies, and other equipment to our foster homes. We also cover the costs of veterinary care and give you ongoing support and advice. You simply provide care, attention, and love, and keep us regularly informed about the foster cat(s).
2. The space required for fostering is a spare room and/or bathroom where the foster cats/kittens can be separated from your own pets. This room should have a hard surface floor that can be thoroughly cleaned between fosters.
3. We foster to indoor homes only, no exceptions. We require you to have secure screens on your windows and doors that close properly to ensure that cats cannot get out of your home at any time.
4. We require your own animals to have been vaccinated and to be in good health. Even so, it is not advisable for the fostered animals to mix with your cats for several weeks (if ever) to make sure that no colds or other illnesses have been brought in to your home.
5. Friendly older cats can be a great comfort for little orphaned kittens, and so can friendly dogs. However, you must use great caution if you plan to introduce a foster cat to your pets. Not all cats are feline or canine friendly.
6. You can foster as often as you like, one group at a time. For the sake of the cats' health, we do not mix litters. The length of time that foster cats or kittens are with you can vary and will depend on how soon they are ready to be adopted. It can range from as little as a week, to a month or more. If you cannot keep them for the whole time, we will move them to another foster home to finish their transition to adoption.
   
   

One of the most difficult aspects of fostering is “saying goodbye” to the cats and kittens you have grown to love. However, the sadness of letting go is balanced by the satisfaction of knowing that you played a crucial role in rescuing these cats and kittens, and preparing them for their new home. We have three requirements before you are approved as a CatSpan foster parent:

1. Firstly, you need to be a registered volunteer with CatSpan Registered Charity. If you are not yet a volunteer complete our online Volunteer application form & our ​Foster Home application.
2. A Foster Home Coordinator will be in touch with you to arrange an interview and home visit with you.
3. ​You will then be asked to read and sign a fostering contract and waiver.

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No experience necessary! We will teach you the choice- and consent-based socialization techniques used to build our foster kitties trust and confidence, and we will provide support to you throughout the fostering process.

This will complete your application process, and you will now be ready for your first foster family! 

If you would like more information, or have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]. ​