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Fostering
It’s All About the Cats does not have a shelter. We rely solely on Foster homes to provide care for our rescued cats and kittens until they can be placed in a permanent home. Without foster homes, we would not be able to continue our rescue mission.
Foster parents provide short and long-term care for animals in their homes. By offering your time, love and attention, you prepare your foster cat or kitten for adoption into a permanent, loving home.
Some thoughts on being a foster home ...
Quote: "There's something about fostering these kittens that really is enjoyable. I never thought I'd say this because I was never really a cat lover, but knowing that you're doing something to help a poor defenseless animal find a loving home just makes you feel good". - Tom Eddie
Excerpts from a foster family blog:
How this whole thing began ... A few years ago, we came home from work and noticed a stray cat hanging out in our bushes at the front of our house ... Not long after that, we noticed a lot of kittens and cats at work who had been dumped there and had been born there ... A while later, Momma Cat (our feral cat at work) had another litter, and Andrea decided to figure out how to save them ... So we fostered them.
updated inventory ... since I last added a blog entry, we've fostered and adopted out 5 kittens from one litter and 2 from another litter ... Anyway you look at it, we've saved 10 kittens from possible death or a fairly miserable life.
34 and counting ... realized we have put 34 kittens through the adoption program. That's 34 kittens we have fostered and who have now been adopted by new families ... 2 of the 7 we have at home now have contracts for adoption so soon we will be at 36. 3 dozen kittens who got another chance at life. WOW.
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A Special Letter
There I sat, alone and afraid.
You got a call and came right to my aid.
You bundled me up with blankets and love.
And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.
I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold.
That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold.
You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend.
You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.
And just when I thought you'd done all you do,
There came along not one new lesson, but two.
First you said, "Sweetheart, you're ready to go.
I've done all I can, and you've learned all I know."
Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss.
Along came a new family, they even have kids!
They took me to their home, forever to stay.
At first I thought you sent me away.
Then that second lesson became perfectly clear.
No matter how far, you will always be near.
And so, Foster Mom, you know I've moved on.
I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.
But I'll never forget what I learned that first day.
You never really give your fosters away. Y
ou gave me these thoughts to remember you by.
We may never meet again, and now I know why.
You'll remember I lived with you for a time.
I may not be yours, but you'll always be mine.
- Author Unknown -
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Your Duties As a Foster Care Parent:
â—Š Provide daily care, feeding and any necessary
Medications as prescribed by our staff veterinarian
â—Š Socialize cats/kittens and give them plenty of TLC.
â—Š Provide transportation to and from the home for
medical appointments.
â—Š Be Committed: These cats/kittens will be in your
care until they are ready to be placed for adoption.
You could have your foster(s) for a few weeks or
several months.
How Foster Care Works:
1. IAATCI receives cats/kittens to be placed in our adoption program.
2. Foster homes are contacted when we have a cat or kitten needing placement to see if you have availability.
3. The cats/kittens go to the foster home until they are ready for adoption. You will need to bring them to medical appointments and to be spayed/neutered.
4. Once your cats/kittens have recovered from their spay/neuter surgery, they are ready to begin attending adoptions.
Challenges of Fostering:
â—Š Fostering is a family commitment.
â—Š Fostering can sometimes be exhausting.
â—Š Fostering is time consuming.
â—Š Fostering may sometimes cost you money.
It can be painful to say goodbye to your fosters when they are ready for adoption, BUT, fostering can be THE MOST rewarding and fulfilling thing a true cat lover will ever do to support our shelter cats!
Qualifications for Feline Fostering:
In order to ensure that your foster cats/kittens receive the care they need, we ask that you:
â—Š Complete a Foster Care Application.
â—Š Have an area where you can keep your foster cats/kittens isolated from your own companion animals.
â—Š Have a flexible schedule to allow time for routine veterinary exams and vaccinations, as well as any emergencies that may occur.
â—Š Be able to commit enough time to socialize your fosters.
â—Š Be at least 18 years old.
â—Š If you rent, you must verify that you are permitted to have pets.
For more information on what fostering involves, please see this page.
To obtain a Foster Care Application, please click here.
To download a foster care agreement, please click here.
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