Fostering Kittens 101: What to Expect When Fostering a Kitten

So, you need to foster a kitten — or possibly a complete litter of kittens. Maybe you’re contemplating turning into a cat guardian however need to strive fostering first, or possibly your life-style isn’t appropriate with long-term pet parenthood for the time being, and fostering appears like a great match as an alternative.

Whatever the explanation you’re opening your home and coronary heart to a kitten in want of some TLC, you’ve acquired questions, and we’ve acquired solutions. Read on for suggestions for fostering kittens, and discover out what you could learn about turning into a foster kitten guardian.

How to search out available kittens to foster

Finding kittens to foster isn’t too tough, particularly when you stay in a giant metropolis. Your native animal shelter is certain to be in want of foster mother and father, particularly throughout “kitten season,” which runs from roughly March to October, when the climate is heat and shelters are typically overrun with kittens introduced in by individuals who have discovered them on the road.

Data from a 2019 examine confirmed that cats 5 months old and younger represented practically half (48 p.c) of all cats introduced into shelters, and 1 / 4 (24 p.c) of all shelter consumption. (Shelter Animals Count, The National Database) — and the examine authors say these numbers are doubtless increased, “given that many kitten programs operate in shelters, rescues, and foster-based organizations not providing statistics to national databases.”  

”Eighty p.c of kittens born within the United States yearly are born outside on our neighborhood streets,” Hannah Shaw, aka Kitten Lady informed The Wildest in 2023. A humane educator and The New York Times bestselling writer, she’s rescued and rehabilitated tons of of kittens. “The vast majority of kittens in animal shelters are brought in by everyday people [who found] them outside,” she mentioned. Reach out to your native shelter and inform them you’re thinking about fostering a kitten, they usually’ll have the ability to join you to rescue teams in the event that they don’t have any present fostering wants.

Of course, when you occur to discover a kitten or a litter of kittens who seem like in want of rescue, caring for them your self is the best choice — if it’s possible for you. (Not certain when you’re foster guardian materials? Here are some frequent causes that fostering will not be for you.)

“The kittens who are entering the shelter ideally should only be kittens who have no other option,” Shaw added. She’s enthusiastic about empowering folks to look after kittens themselves, moderately than surrendering them to a shelter that will not be outfitted to look after them.

Before you’re taking the kittens, nonetheless, make sure that they’ve really been deserted. Shaw mentioned that if the kittens are clear and look effectively fed, their mom is more likely to be shut by and caring for them. If, alternatively, they’re crying, soiled, and skinny, they’re in all probability orphaned. If they’re uncovered to harsh components or in any other case unsafe, it could be finest to rescue them. Make a judgment name.

Fostering kitten choices 

Single kitten 

Fostering a single kitten could appear simpler for a few causes. For one factor, you’ll want fewer kitten-fostering provides. Kittens have huge appetites (you gained’t consider how a lot such a tiny creature can chow down, and how briskly), so that you’ll save money on meals. You’ll additionally have the ability to lavish all of your love and a spotlight on one kitten, moderately than dividing it up amongst a number of candy infants.

That mentioned, kittens prefer to have companionship — and a human companion simply isn’t the identical as one other kitten. “In order to become well-socialized cats, kittens need to learn appropriate behavior from one another,” the specialists at Meow Cat Rescue write. “You can provide attention and love but there is simply no way you can replicate the play behavior of the species.”

A kitten who’s fostered alone might grow to be aggressive or develop different behavioral issues. There’s even a reputation for this: single-kitten syndrome. The shelter says that “single kittens adopted into homes without other young cats” had been usually returned after issues didn’t work out of their new home.

Litter of kittens

Fostering a kitten litter, although it’ll cost extra in meals and litter, is a superb factor to do when you can swing it. The kittens will play collectively, cuddle as much as sleep, and educate one another the ropes of applicable cat habits. If you’re nervous in regards to the cost, know that many rescue teams and shelters may help by offering meals, litter, and different necessities to foster mother and father.

When you attain out to a shelter or rescue group, allow them to know whether or not you’re open to fostering only one cat, when you’re capable of take a litter of kittens — or when you can take a mama cat and her kittens.

Kittens and mom cat

If you’ve got the choice to foster kittens together with their mom, that is splendid. “It’s much easier to foster when you have the mom,” Shaw says. “It’s better for the kittens, too. If they’re under five weeks old, then we wanna try to keep them with mom, because they are dependent on nursing.”

What do foster households want to offer?

This will rely upon the shelter or rescue organization you’re working with; even when you’re fostering kittens you discovered on the road your self, you’ll need to seek the advice of with an organization that may advise you and presumably give you some provides.

Of course, the extra provides you’ll be able to present your self, the higher — however don’t let fear about cost be too huge a stumbling block. Many individuals who can’t foster kittens themselves are comfortable to assist out by donating meals, litter, blankets, and different necessities. Reach out to neighborhood teams and ask, in addition to connecting with a neighborhood shelter or cat rescue group. Resources are available that will help you out!

Supplies required for fostering kittens

When you convey home your foster kitten, or kittens, you’ll need to have a number of kitten-fostering provides prepared, Shaw says:

• A shallow litter field with a small quantity of litter, for kittens older than two weeks

• A shallow water dish with recent water, if they’re not less than three to 4 weeks old and weaned (younger kittens don’t but know how one can lap water and have to be bottle-fed)

• A heating pad, set on low, with a comfortable blanket overlaying it fully

• Another comfortable blanket for them to twist up on (in order that they have a non-heated possibility)

Of course, you’ll additionally want meals. Consult with the shelter or rescue organization you’re working with, or attain out to a veterinarian to find out what sort of meals is most applicable. This will rely upon the kittens’ age, well being, and any particular wants they might have, so it’s necessary to get recommendation from an expert.

Time dedication for fostering kittens

Fostering kittens is a time dedication. Little ones can’t be left alone for lengthy — and possibly in no way, relying on their age and the way vulnerable they’re. “Depending on the age and health of the kittens, you may need to be available as often as every two to three hours,” Shaw says on her web site.

She recommends contemplating whether or not your schedule and work scenario permits you sufficient time for fostering a child kitten. If you’re employed remotely, that’s useful, but when you could go into the workplace, organize for somebody to look after them while you’re not round.

Kittens are able to be adopted as soon as they’re eight weeks old, after they’ve been spayed or neutered. So relying on how old the kittens are while you convey them home, chances are you’ll be taking a look at a couple of two-month dedication. (Of course, in case your kitten or kittens develop into “foster fails” then it’ll be extra like 15 to twenty years.)

Kitten-proofing your home

Fostering kittens doesn’t imply you’ll must go to nice lengths to kitten-proof your whole home. Rather, you’ll need to create a protected area for the kitten (or kittens), the place they are often saved separate from some other animals within the home they usually can not wander round and get into bother.

If you’ve got a litter of foster kittens, chances are you’ll need to arrange a cage or playpen the place they will safely be enclosed. Shaw says you need to do that in a small, climate-controlled area with a door that closes. “Make sure the area is kitten proof — you’d be amazed what trouble kittens can get into,” she says on her website. “For instance, you want to make sure there is not a trash can or toilet they can fall into, a curtain they can climb, a toxic plant they can eat, a small space they can hide or get stuck in.”

Caring for bottle-fed kittens 

Fostering a child kitten is actually extra work than fostering an older kitten; when you’re fostering a new child kitten, they’ll have to be bottle-fed till they’re old sufficient to eat moist meals.

Bottle-kitten fostering is its personal ability set, and also you’ll want the correct provides. Never feed a kitten cow’s milk or different dairy merchandise — use kitten method (not human child method!) purchased from a pet provide retailer. You can decide up a bottle for kittens there, as effectively. Shaw has a tutorial on bottle-feeding kittens, right here, that exhibits you the fundamentals.

Caring for older kittens

Older kittens gained’t have to be bottle-fed — however they nonetheless want loads of consideration. From ages two to seven weeks, coach and animal knowledgeable Karen Chapdelaine (CPDT-KA) says it’s essential to show kittens social abilities.

“The key is to provide a lot of positive experiences for your kitten with all sorts of people, objects, and experiences,” she says. “That is not the same thing as simply exposing your kitten to a variety of experiences. Good socialization involves good experiences, not just varied experiences. Kittens who are well-socialized are more likely to develop into adult cats who do well with other cats, dogs, children, adults, and being handled.” She cautions, nonetheless, to be sure to don’t overwhelm or frighten your kitten.

What to anticipate in your first day with the foster kitten 

One of the largest first-time kitten fosterers questions is, “What will the first day with my foster kitten be like?” The reply largely is dependent upon the age of your foster kitten — a bottle-fed kitten will want extra intensive consideration than a kitten who can eat moist cat meals on their very own.

If your foster kitten may be very small or sick, be vigilant and supply fixed care. It’s necessary to have folks you’ll be able to ask for assist and recommendation, whether or not that’s a veterinarian, workers at a shelter, or different skilled cat rescuers.

Bringing home the foster kitten

When you convey your foster kitten home, be sure to have the provides outlined above, together with a comfortable blanket, litter field and litter, water dish, and meals. Have an area ready the place the kitten will really feel snug and be protected from different pets, youngsters, or potential hazards they may get into.

Expect an preliminary adjustment interval, the place the kitten could also be timid or anxious, requiring endurance and a peaceful setting. Be ready to offer correct vitamin, veterinary care, and socialization. Kittens may have time to adapt to new environment, however as they grow to be snug, their playful and curious nature will emerge. Fostering includes nurturing and building belief, and it’s frequent for foster kittens to kind sturdy bonds with their caregivers. Be prepared for the potential emotional attachment, as fostering usually results in contemplating adoption.

Your first day with the foster kitten

Assuming your foster kitten or kittens are secure and in good well being, Shaw says, the very first thing you’ll need to do is feed them. Once they’ve acquired meals and water down, present them their litter field and the comfy spot you’ve created for them (keep in mind the comfortable blanket overlaying a heating pad, and the additional comfortable blanket with out warmth?).

Kittens sleep loads Shaw provides, so when you need to keep watch over them, you additionally need to allow them to relaxation.

Your first night time with the foster kitten

As said above, kittens prefer to sleep — so that you’re extra more likely to have bother nodding off than your foster kitten. Depending on their age, chances are you’ll must get up and feed them each couple of hours; preserving them in a crate close to your mattress makes this simpler and will assist you really feel extra snug falling asleep. Knowing you’re close by to listen to any cries or labored respiratory (within the case of a really young or sick kitten) shall be comforting for you each.

Helping your foster kitten get adopted

Shaw recommends promoting your foster kittens instantly, lengthy earlier than they’re available to undertake (at about eight weeks). Take good pictures of the kittens, give some data about their age, circumstances during which they had been discovered, title, any well being circumstances — no matter folks might need to know, and can spark curiosity within the kittens. You can promote on social media, neighborhood boards, flyers, Petfinder, and Craigslist.

It’s crucial to vet any potential adopters! Shaw recommends asking questions on who resides within the home (each pets and people), whether or not they’ve had cats earlier than, and what they are going to do if they will not hold the kitten. This final one is a trick query, she says: “The only appropriate answer is that the cat will never be given up, and is a permanent member of the family no matter what.”

It’s additionally typical, and really useful, to cost an adoption price. This helps make sure that the adopters are severe and well-intentioned. Around $75-$200 is typical, relying the place you reside and what’s included (spay and neuter price, first vaccines, and so on.).

Saying goodbye

Bidding your foster kitten farewell isn’t straightforward! (Why do you assume there are such a lot of foster fails — and why “foster fail” got here into the lexicon within the first place?) Particularly, when you’ve got youngsters, it]s necessary to arrange them early on for the truth that you gained’t be preserving your foster kittens endlessly. Remind them (and your self!) that adopting your foster kitten out is the objective: It means you’ve succeeded in your mission.

If your adopter is prepared, ask them to ship you updates and pictures to let you understand how the kitten is adjusting to their new home. This may help ease any lingering pangs of disappointment or remorse after saying goodbye. (Another nice strategy to recover from the grief? Foster extra kittens!) 

FAQs (People additionally ask): 

How a lot time do I must spend with a foster kitten? 

The quick reply? As a lot as attainable! Shaw says you’ll have to be available each two to 3 hours, at minimal, when you’re fostering a young kitten. Kittens want plenty of love and playtime — however in addition they sleep loads, so you’re going to get a break. It’s necessary to be available, nonetheless, in case your kitten wants you.

Can I foster a number of kittens directly? 

Absolutely! In reality, many individuals discover it simpler to foster a litter of kittens, as they are going to entertain one another.

How lengthy are kittens usually fostered for?

Kittens are usually able to be adopted out at eight to 9 weeks of age, Shaw says.

What if my foster kitten dies? 

While that is after all extraordinarily unhappy, it might occur if you end up fostering kittens — significantly if the kitten is orphaned at a young age, is sick, or has different well being considerations. Shaw has loads of expertise with grieving kittens, and gives these phrases of consolation on her web site: “Remember that the reason you feel grief is because you also feel great love, and that love is what makes you such a special person.”

Will I must convey my foster kitten to the vet? 

Yes! It’s necessary to get your foster kitten routine veterinary care, together with an preliminary examination and vaccinations. When they’re old sufficient, they are going to have to be spayed or neutered.

Can I foster a kitten as a check earlier than adopting? 

Many a cat guardian began out as a foster guardian — it’s a great way to get a really feel for pet parenthood and check out whether or not you’re prepared for a full-time, decades-long dedication. In the meantime, you’re doing a great factor for a kitten (or litter of kittens!) in want.

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