9 Things to Know Before You Foster a Cat

Are your kids begging for a furry sibling? Or are you wanting a four-legged friend to cuddle up with after a long day at work? If you’re not quite ready to make the needed commitment for a pet – these 10 questions to ask before you foster a cat will help you decide if this is an option for you.

Adopting a cat, especially a kitten, can be a long-term decision. Keep in mind the average lifespan of an indoor house cat is 10-15 years. Fostering a cat is when you take a homeless cat into your home for a brief period of time. Your new feline friend could be a small kitten or an adult cat. Below are 10 questions to ask before you start fostering a cat, but remember your local animal shelter will be coordinating the process. They may have different answers depending on how they have everything set up. 

Who Can Foster a Cat?

You are eligible to foster a cat if you are 18 years or older. Everyone you live with must be on board and agree to the experience. If you rent, you will need to show proof to the animal shelter that you are able to have animals in your home. If you have other pets, you will need to show proof of their vaccinations. You should also have a separate space in your home where the cat can be isolated away from loud noises and other animals.  

What Supplies do You Need to Foster a Cat?

The supplies you need to foster a cat will depend on the cat’s age and their history. In general, you will need food, clean water, cat beds, cat crates, litter and litter boxes. You need a safe and separate space for your foster cat. 

If you have orphaned baby kitties, you might also need to have milk replacement, bottles, etc.

Your animal shelter will provide most, if not all, of these supplies if you do not have them. 

Do you Have to Pay to Foster a Cat?

It does not cost anything to foster a cat. As mentioned above, the shelter will provide the supplies. It’s in our natures, however, to want to pamper these furbabies a bit. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself forking out some cash for toys or new beds or treats. 

Will Foster Cats be Litter Trained?

Depending on the age of your cat, he may already be litter trained. Cats have a natural instinct to clean up after themselves and most can be fully litter trained by 8 weeks. If your foster cat was feral or lived in an abusive situation previously, then this might not be the case. If you are uncomfortable in this area, be sure to ask the shelter. They want this to be a positive experience for both you and the animal and will try to match you with a foster cat that matches your comfort level.

How Long Does it Take for Foster Cats to Adjust?

If you have a sweet foster kitten, it might take only a day or two for her to adjust to you and your family. If you have an adult, it might take up to a couple weeks. As a foster parent for felines, it is your job to help socialize the cat and keep them safe. It’s important to keep them where they feel comfortable and protected in your home.

Where Should I Keep My Foster Cat?

When fostering a cat, it is essential they have a safe place to sleep and interact during the day. A small room is recommended as cats will typically hide in new environments. Keep food, water, litter and toys in the small room. Keep them away from other pets in the home for the first several days.

How Long Can You Foster a Cat?

Being a feline foster parent can last for a few days to several weeks or even months. If the shelter has senior cats waiting for a new home, you might be fostering for a long time. It is important to communicate with the shelter what your expectations are and how long you want to try the foster process. If you are fostering kittens, they usually stay with foster families until they are old enough to be adopted.

Can You Foster a Cat if There are Other Pets in the Home?

Yes, you can foster a cat even if you already have other pets. The animal shelter will ask for proof of vaccinations for your existing animals. You will also need to keep the foster cat away from your family pets. If you will be fostering for a long time, the shelter will give you instructions about introducing your other pets to the foster cat. You will want to do this slowly so all the animals can feel safe. 

Can You Adopt a Cat You Foster?

We call this a Foster Fail. You can adopt the cat you foster if it works out for your family. You will still need to go through the regular adoption process with your animal shelter. There will be vaccinations, procedures for spaying/neutering, and potential costs. Most animal shelters give foster families a discount on the animal adoption costs as well. 

Some families choose to adopt their foster cats and others choose to be part of a foster team. This means you foster a cat until she is adopted and then you foster another batch. If you love fostering kittens, you could make this your specialty. If you prefer senior cats, you could keep them longer term.

Fostering a cat is a great way to see if you would enjoy having a pet longer term. It can also be a fun method to serve your community or just have a new experience for your kids. Each cat’s personality and temperament is different, but if you prepare yourself and know what to expect, this experience should go more smoothly. 

Tips For Cat Owners

• Bringing Your Cat To The Vet: A Guide To Keeping Stressed Cats Calm
• 6 of the Cuddliest Cat Breeds