Fostering Cats/Kittens

KatieDee

Hello kitty lovers!

My partner and I recently bought a very large house. We have two spare bedrooms plus an attic floor which has been converted into two additional rooms. Our garden is very long and we have plenty of space at the bottom, as well as a brick garage at the side of our house.

Due to all this spare space, I've been racking my brain to find a way to use it (other than having millions of babies, which the other half doesn't seem too keen on just yet...)

I read up on a few local charities that ask volunteers to provide temporary care to cats and kittens in their homes. There are some very well known charities such as Cats Protection League who offer to build small huts for outdoor cats, and some local charities who don't seem to provide much information about what they're looking for and what they require.

This is definitely something I would like to look in to. My partner and I work full-time but I understand caring for animals can be a 24/7 job! I fully expect night feeds and potential trips to the vets day and night if possible. I've been assured that working full-time is not a reason to write off fostering. I also have two cats (both rescued) who live inside mainly, but also venture outside when the weather is nice. Due to the way our home is laid out, it would be easy to keep any new visitors completely separate.

Has anybody here had any knowledge of fostering cats and kittens? I have tried to search the internet for further information but other than the websites of the charities, I cannot find any first hand experiences. When I know this is definitely for me, I do plan to contact various charities to see if I can offer my services but I wouldn't want to waste their time by asking before I've properly decided.

Also, do these charities tend to help with costs if you do choose to foster for them? Our two cats cost an awful lot to feed, so I dread to think what a small group of them would cost! It's something I'd be willing to consider (as I realise charities do have limited funds) but I can't find any information about it, so thought I'd ask.

Sorry for the novel! I look forward to your responses.

paddypaws101

I have fostered both adult cats and mums with kittens and it is very rewarding....but agonising to hand them back!
All rescues operate differently but I think most will cover vet costs. Some may offer to cover food and litter but I have to say I have always provided this myself ( and even ended up voluntarily funding flea/worm treatment and even some vet treatment )
What area are you in?

moggymutt

In the past we have provided food, litter and vet bills. We always give the names of any fosterers to our vets, and let them know that they are looking after cats on our behalf. We think it really important that in case of an emergency a fosterer can ring the vet directly if they cannot immediately get hold of us, we don't want ill cats left in limbo while the fosterers are frantically trying to track us down for 'authorisation' of treatment.
One important thing will be that your own cats are vaccinated and neutered, even if they won't be coming into contact with the fostered cats directly.
There's so many different types of fostercare needed. A once beloved elderly pet may need a house environment, a wild mum with kitts needs a very quiet but very secure place to rear her kitts, wild kitts need lots of handling. There may be a cat needs fostering by itself, or 4 cats from one home who are all very close to each other.
Be assured, fosterers are always in demand

KatieDee

paddypaws101 wrote: »

I have fostered both adult cats and mums with kittens and it is very rewarding....but agonising to hand them back!
All rescues operate differently but I think most will cover vet costs. Some may offer to cover food and litter but I have to say I have always provided this myself ( and even ended up voluntarily funding flea/worm treatment and even some vet treatment )
What area are you in?

I have to admit, if I was to foster I would probably just use my own food/litter if they didn't automatically offer to cover costs. I live in Rotherham, South Yorkshire :-)

moggymutt wrote: »

In the past we have provided food, litter and vet bills. We always give the names of any fosterers to our vets, and let them know that they are looking after cats on our behalf. We think it really important that in case of an emergency a fosterer can ring the vet directly if they cannot immediately get hold of us, we don't want ill cats left in limbo while the fosterers are frantically trying to track us down for 'authorisation' of treatment.
One important thing will be that your own cats are vaccinated and neutered, even if they won't be coming into contact with the fostered cats directly.
There's so many different types of fostercare needed. A once beloved elderly pet may need a house environment, a wild mum with kitts needs a very quiet but very secure place to rear her kitts, wild kitts need lots of handling. There may be a cat needs fostering by itself, or 4 cats from one home who are all very close to each other.
Be assured, fosterers are always in demand

Thank you for this information. I do keep up to date with all my kitties vaccinations and both were neutered when they were younger. I would be more than happy to take any cats and like to think of myself as a person who would know how to care for each different cat I might be fostering. Although I would be more than happy to take a cat with kittens, I do feel a fosterer with more spare time might be more appropriate...I wouldn't say no though!

I know it will be hard work but I just think it's a shame having all this space. I also know how hard these charities work and how much it benefits the animals, so if I can give just a little bit back then I'll be happy

I think the only danger would be if I got an elderly cat who was particularly difficult to rehome (as I know many can be)...I don't think I could help but take them longterm if necessary. A delight for me, but the other half might draw the line at more than ten :rotfl:

In all seriousness, I do know that it is important not to get too attached to the cats and kittens you foster. You need to be compassionate but be able to cut yourself off a bit when it's time for your cats to move on.

gettingready

Did you look at Purrs website/forum?

http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/

I would love to foster and will always remember my daughter taking in pregnant homeless Lucy and looking after kitties/homing them etc so PaddyPaws is absolutely right about heart ache when separating from fosters but....

I have 4 of my own plus a GS dog in a 2 bd flat so no way but you with all that space - go for it

chez22

I've fostered for Blue Cross for the last 5 years, all costs are covered and you can either foster in your home or in your garden with a heated chalet (I do both).


Some info from my friend and fellow fosterer Joanne http://www.bluecross.org.uk/1752-130913/fostering-blue-cross-pets-is-the-ultimate-high.html


We also have a facebook page which should provide some insight into what we do https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Blue-Cross-Cumbria-Foster-Team/247407515278688

inkie

Have you looked at BARC (based at Wath)? or the RSPCA Sheffield?