• You are here:
• Home

Ever wanted to Foster?

Fostering is at the core of what Cats Protection is about, looking after cats in need until they are ready to go to a loving forever home. 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.

What can you expect to be doing?

• Meeting the needs of the cats and kittens in your care
• Maintaining minimum veterinary and cat care standards
• Cleaning and looking after the cats environment and equipment
• Feeding, grooming and administering medication (such as flea and worm treatments)
• Spending time enriching the cats experience in care including; play, exercise and stroking
• Introducing the cat to prospective adopters

What are the benefits for you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens in need by caring for them before they find new loving homes. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with:

• Basic knowledge of cats, cat care and understanding their needs
• An appreciation of cat welfare and hygiene standards
• Good interpersonal skills
• Patience, commitment and empathy
• Willingness to be part of a team

 

As a fosterer you need to be able to give your foster cat(s) lots of love and attention, and, when they are ready to go to a good home, to say goodbye to them. You will then be ready to take another cat and to face up to another challenge. This is rewarding work.

Interested in being an outdoor fosterer? Below are some specifics to think of.

• You will have a special, purpose-built pen in your garden.
• Do you have a minimum 16ft x 6ft footprint of space for the pen to go?
• If the pen is to be sited next to a fence or wall, then the wall of the pen closest to the fence, should be solid and a minimum of 2ft away from fence
• How will potential adopters can access to view the cat(s) in your care? Through your house? Or through your garden?
• Do you own your home? If not, you will need to first obtain the written permission of your landlord to foster.
• There will be a requirement to take your foster cats to the vets for a health check, vaccinations, micro-chipping and neutering etc so having your own transport to do this is essential.
• The cost of equipment, cat food, litter etc will be covered by the branch as are any other costs you may incur, and full training and on-going support will be available to you.

 Interested in being an indoor fosterer? Below are some specifics to think of.

• You will need a room that foster cat(s) to live in so that they can be comfortable and also contained so they feel safe.
• Do you have a spare room your foster cat(s) can use?
• Is it well ventilated, with natural light?
• Is this separate from your existing pets?
• Are you aware that potential adopters will need to have access to viewing cats and kittens in the room?
• Do you own your home? If not, you will need to first obtain the written permission of your landlord to foster.
• There will be a requirement to take your foster cats to the vets for a health check, vaccinations, micro-chipping and neutering etc so having your own transport to do this is essential.
• The cost of equipment, cat food, litter etc will be covered by the branch as are any other costs you may incur, and full training and on-going support will be available to you.

If you are interested, perhaps you could drop us an email (Click here). It would be good to know a little more about you before we arrange to come and meet you.