Fostering A Cat: FAQ

Thank you for your interest in becoming a foster parent for a cat awaiting his or her forever home!

Fostering is an immensely rewarding experience and is literally a lifeline for an animal whose future is uncertain through no fault of his or her own. Opening your home and heart to a foster cat requires a true commitment to the health and happiness of an animal and you probably have many questions regarding your responsibilities.

Below are some frequently asked questions from new foster moms and dads.

1. Won't I get attached? YES! For the time that he or she spends in your home, your foster cat will be like your own. They'll not only look to you for food and water (and poop scooping!), but also for companionship, play, and love. Our foster parents do sometimes kiss their babies goodbye with tears in their eyes, but there is joy mixed with the sadness. Their love and sacrifice are the reason a homeless cat has found her forever home. And if that place in your heart can fit another, there is always one more waiting for the safety and love only you can offer.

2. What will it cost me? Nothing. ACN provides food and litter as well as all medical care for our emergency fosters. You simply bring the cat to the vet or the monthly intake for vaccinations (or illness) and/or to the Humane Alliance for spay/neutering, if necessary.

3. Will my foster cat be healthy? Yes. Prior to being placed in an emergency foster home, all ACN foster cats are tested for FIV/Feline leukemia, vaccinated, and dewormed. (They also receive earmite/flea medication, if applicable). (Foster homes with the ability to quarantine a cat while awaiting testing or recovering from a disease such as upper respiratory infection are urgently needed. You will not be asked to provide medical care beyond administering antibiotics, etc. Please let us know if you're interested in such a vital position!)

4. Where does my cat come from? Many of the animals who find themselves in foster homes were once a beloved pet. For some, a new baby in the family or a move across the country meant the pet no longer fit into their guardian’s lifestyle. For others, their person passed way, entered a nursing home, or left the country for military service and no one else would step up. Some were dumped in a box along a busy highway or found hungry at a back door. But however these pets came to ACN, the fault was not their own; these lovely animals are not 'damaged goods.'

5. Where do I bring my cat for adoptions? How long will it take? ACN holds adoption fairs every Saturday at PetSmart from 1-3PM and every Wednesday evening from 6-8PM; you’re required to bring your foster at least once every two weeks to either of these events. The more frequently you bring your cat, the more quickly she will find a new home! We've had cats adopted on their first fair and others who take weeks or sometimes even months. The latter is very unusual, but it has happened. You may also be able to bring your cat to Pet Harmony, our pet store for rescued pets, for daily adoptions or to stay in our cozy ‘cat hotel’ for a time. The store is open 6 days a week and your foster will be available for adoption each day.

6. What about my own cats? Your own pets must be up to date on vaccinations, have been tested negative for Feline Leukemia/FIV Feline AIDS), and must be kept indoors at all times. Introducing a new cat into the home is stressful for even the most laid-back feline and your resident cat will likely not appreciate a newcomer, so we also ask that foster cats be kept separated from your own pets for everyone’s safety. Because ACN has an obligation to use our funding to rescue unwanted animals, please be aware that ACN cannot be responsible for injuries to your personal pets or property. We urge you to follow our advice for a safe and happy foster experience - for you and your cat.

7. Where do I keep my foster cat? Can she cat go outside? The foster cat may at no time be let or taken outside, and the foster home cannot have a pet door. This is for the safety of the cat and to confirm her health when she’s adopted; this is absolutely mandatory. As mentioned before, ACN requests you keep your foster cat away from
your own pets. Our veteran foster parents usually keep their foster cat in a separate room like an office, bedroom, bathroom, or finished basement. You might be tempted to offer your foster cat the run of your home, but safety is key and a foster situation is only temporary. They'll have their own home soon enough!

8. Can I meet potential adopters? Yes! As a foster parent, you are vitally important in matching the personality of your cat with the needs of an adopter. You'll be asked to fill out a card describing your foster's story and personality, likes and dislikes, characteristics and quirks. You are more than welcome to stay with your cat during adoption fairs to talk with potential adopters, and your opinions are valued during the thorough screening process. Your cat will also be advertised on Petfinder.com and sometimes local media, and you may be asked to speak with people who contact ACN about them.

9. Can I ask for a certain kind of cat to foster? During the summer months we're inundated with litters of kittens and some fosters just adore the pitter patter of little feet or bottle-feeding orphans all hours of the day and night. Others may prefer a stately
older cat. We can't always guarantee the exact match you are hoping for, but we'll do our best! We will probably request that you take whomever is in greatest need, but we will always respect your wishes and do everything we can to match them.

10. What happens if I can't continue fostering? We’ll do our best to remedy any problems that might come up with your foster cat. However, if your foster situation cannot be remedied, of course we will take the cat back as soon as it can be arranged. (All of our coordinators and foster homes are volunteers and it sometimes takes a day or two to orchestrate a transfer.) You will most likely be asked if you can hold on until a new foster situation can be arranged or a place opens in an adoption outlet, such as PETsMART. In the meantime, it is very important that you not leave the cat in the care of
an unauthorized person or adopt the cat out on your own during this (or any) time. ACN has very thorough adoption and fostering procedures to ensure a long and happy life for the cats we rescue.

11. Can I adopt the cat I’m fostering? Obviously, with so many cats needing a foster home, we’d prefer you didn’t adopt your foster pet. Many of us are foster parents, and we will be there to give you support when your foster pet finds a wonderful home. The best advice we can offer is to go into the foster process understanding that your role in your foster pet’s life is to provide a safe haven until their forever homes comes along. We guarantee that you will come to love the next one and the one after that just as much as the first one. After all, you’re interested in fostering for ACN because you love all animals!