Across the UK many of our feline friends are cared for by volunteer fosterers who provide a stable, safe and loving environment in their homes or in purpose built pens in their gardens. They provide vital hands on care and accommodation to stray, abandoned cats or cats whose owners could sadly no longer keep them, and are part of a dedicated team of volunteers committed to finding new homes for cats in need. Most of our fosterers care for one or two cats at a time and enjoy providing lots of TLC to those cats which have been pre-loved or have had a difficult start in life. Some of our fosterers look after new mums and kittens and provide round the clock care to new-borns with tummies to fill and lots to learn. No matter what type of cats they have in care our fosterers provide the best start to the next stage of their lives.
Do you think you have what it takes to provide temporary love and shelter to a cat, while we find him/her their forever home? 😻
We are recruiting for Cat Fostering Volunteers for our branch, who provide daily hands-on cat care in their own homes.
As well as looking after the health and well-being of each cat according to Cats Protection standards, your time could be spent grooming, playing and/or socialising with them to get them ready for their big journey home.
This usually involves a couple per day spent with the cat/s - though this will vary depending on the number, type of cat in your foster care and their individual needs. All food, litter, equipment and vet bills will be paid for by the branch, so all you need to supply is some love and a bit of your time! Full training and support will be provided. There is the possibility of indoor foster volunteers later expanding/changing to outdoor bespoke garden pens.
There is the ability to specialise your fostering if desired - e.g. kittens, hand-rearing neonatal kittens, senior cats, medical cases... - but this is not essential, and you are not oblidged to take on any particular types of cats you would prefer not to. This can be fully discussed with our adoption team leader.
What do I need to foster indoors 🏠❓
All fostering spaces require good ventilation, natural light and the ability to temperature control.
Kitten fostering requires (for infection control) a spare room with minimal or no soft furnishings. In certain cases we can provide protective coverings e.g. For a spare bed that isn't used, to prevent having to remove this, so it can be disinfected between cases. In cases of rooms with carpet, we can provide protective plastic coverings, or replace this with lino if preferred (expense covered by our branch). If you have no other animals in your home, it may be possible to foster a healthy adult cat without restricting them to a spare room (known as 'whole house fostering').
Please note handrear kitten fostering (bottle feeding kittens <5 weeks old) still requires a spare room to house them, with minimal to no soft furnishings, as they are very vulnerable and require a fully disinfected environment.
If you're not sure, please don't hesitate to get in contact with us for a chat!
Interested? 💡❓
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in contact us to have a chat!
Contact:
adoptionteamleader@northantrimandglens.cats.org.uk for more information.
Our branch covers the BT41-44 area, and the BT51-57 area - however if you are outside this area, please still get in touch as we can point you in the direction of the branch that covers your area (or if in an area without Cats Protection coverage, you may still be able to join the nearest branch).