FOSTER AGREEMENT FOR CAT/KITTEN
The guiding mission of the Foster Care Program is to give cats’ individualized care
and socialization to prepare them for adoption. Information gathered during the
foster process helps us place cats in homes and with families who can best meet
their needs. Specific goals of the program include:
• Providing a safe, healthy, nurturing environment for cats/kittens to prepare them
for a permanent home
• Socializing shy or timid cats and kittens.
• Allowing sick or injured cats to heal in a relaxing, uplifting environment.
• Nursing and bottle-feeding orphaned or abandoned kittens
OVERVIEW OF KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND POLICIES
General
• Cat/kitten-proofing your home is a must.
• Keep cats/kittens inside at all times.
• Keep doors/windows closed at all times, unless covered with a screen that is
securely in place. A frightened cat/kitten can escape through the tiniest holes!
• If a cat/kitten does manage to get outside, you must attempt to get the
cat/kitten back inside immediately. If you delay, then the cat/kitten may get
frightened and run away, decreasing your chances of getting the kitty
back inside. Do not chase the cat/kitten as this may make him/her run further
away from your home. If you cannot get the kitty yourself within 1-2 hours, call
Kitty Love Rescue immediately to determine a strategy to recapture the kitty.
A seemingly fine cat can become ill due to stress from a move. Do not mix foster
cats with your cats unless they are indoor only cats.
KITTY PROOFING YOUR FOSTER HOME
Cat-proofing, and especially kitten-proofing, your home is much the same as childproofing it! That means hiding or removing cords, removing small items that kittens
can choke on, etc. Use the following tips as a guide to make your foster room and
home safe for cats and kittens:
• Make sure the garbage, cleaning supplies and medicines are secure.
• Get into the habit of checking your refrigerator, oven, washer, dryer, freezer,
dishwasher, etc. before these doors get closed. Kitty may have leaped in. These
horrible accidents happen more often than you would expect.
• Watch that hot iron, or any other heavy items a rambunctious kitty may knock
down or pull down upon itself. Use a non-toxic product available in office supply
stores that is used to mount posters on the wall without nails – a
kind of gummy substance – to tack down small knick-knacks and prevent breakage.
• Review a toxic houseplant list and remove all poisonous plants from your
household. Or, to deter kitties from munching on poisonous and non-poisonous
plants, you should spray with a product sold at pet stores for this very
purpose.
• Keep all small items like rubber bands, paper clips, needles, and fishhooks –
anything kitty can swallow – out of
reach.
• Never leave knives or razors in the bathroom or tub. Kitties love to play with
these things and can cut their paws, tongue or gums.
• Keep plastic bags, which can cause suffocation, out of reach.
• Exposed electrical cords are a very real danger. Kitties might chew them and end
up getting an electrical shock – this can cause mouth burns or even death. Encase
cords in the plastic flexible tubing on the market for just this
purpose. A product called “Bitter Apple,” available at pet stores, can be sprayed at
regular intervals on the cords to discourage chewing as well.
• Never leave stove burners on without a pot on them; serious burns can result if
kitty gets curious. Also, pipes behind hot water heaters can cause burns if kitty
hides there. Wood burning stoves and open fireplaces are also hazardous.
HOUSING
You must provide a clean, safe environment for your foster cats/kittens. You can
use a spare bedroom or large bathroom as your “foster room.”
If you are fostering a pregnant cat or young kittens, keep the following tips in
mind:
• Consider protecting your furniture and carpet with sheets or plastic table
covers—kittens can be messy, especially when they’re learning to use the litter
box!
• Until the age of 3-4 weeks, the mother cat will clean the genitals of her young to
stimulate the bowels and bladder. As the kittens start showing interest in the
litter box, provide them with an easily accessible box – such as a shoebox lid,
cookie sheet, or cake pan. Once the kittens are more mobile, you should give them a
larger litter box.
FEEDING
1. Kittens with Mom:
• The recommended diet for pregnant or nursing cats and their kittens is a
premium diet of canned and dry kitten food. Kittens generally start showing
interest in “real” food around 4 or 5 weeks of age.
2. Kittens without Mom:
• Newborn to four weeks: Unfortunately, unweaned kittens are sometimes rescued
without their mother. Often these kittens can be placed with an already nursing
cat and become integrated into her own litter (“surrogates”). If not, as a foster
parent you will have the double responsibility of bottle-feeding and socialization.
Materials needed:
• Cotton balls or cut up wash cloths
• Heating pad
• Kitten bottle, eyedropper, kitten formula
• Thermometer
Use a pet nurser, or kitten bottle to feed the kittens. The hole in the bottle nipple
should leak milk slowly from the bottle without pressure. An eyedropper can be
used temporarily if a nurser is unavailable. Never feed a chilled kitten: make sure
he is warm prior to feeding. Make sure formula is just warm, not hot or cold.
Follow the directions on the label for preparing KMR. Sex and age of the kittens
will dictate how much to give at each feeding time.
3. Orphans and kittens with Moms:
• At four weeks you can start introducing canned food (they usually start showing
interest in what Mom is eating). Mixing a little warm water with the canned food
and placing it in a container with low sides (plate, cake pan, etc.) will usually do the
trick. Expect them to walk through it too. No one ever said kittens were neat.
After a few attempts, they will get the idea. Feed them their last meal just before
bedtime. They usually eat and then go straight to sleep.
• 5-6 weeks old: six small (approx. a level tablespoon) meals per day per kitten.
Always leave plenty of dry food out for them to eat during the day.
• 6-8 weeks of age: four meals a day (about one eighth of a can) per kitten, and
free choice dry food.
**All cats and kittens need fresh water at all times.
Overfeeding can cause digestive problems. Frequent small meals are preferred to
large meals.
LITTER BOX
Kittens should be introduced to the litter box when they start eating solid foods.
They need a box with shallow sides: a cookie sheet or cake pan is perfect. After
they have eaten, place them in the box. They will learn how to use the litter
box very quickly. Sometimes they learn how to use the litter box without any help
from us, as they have been watching Mom use her box. (Observe how the kittens
watch all of Mom’s actions: they find her quite fascinating and are learning
how to act like cats). Orphans may need a little more assistance from you; simply
pick them up and place them on the litter after each meal. When you bring home
your foster kitten(s), show them where you have placed their litter box. Keeping
the box clean is very important…daily cleaning is a must. No cat or kitten wants to
use or smell a dirty litter box.
SOCIALIZING YOUR FOSTER CATS/KITTENS
First and foremost, we ask that you treat your foster cats/kittens with the same
love and care that you give to your own companion animals. Daily attention (at least
one full hour a day) from you and other family members or friends makes them
more people-oriented, and more adoptable! This includes petting, playing, cuddling,
trimming nails and grooming. By spending time with your foster cats on a regular
basis, you will not only increase their chances of being adopted quickly, but you will
also be able to determine their likes and dislikes – this helps us place them in
homes with families that best meet their needs. You should also monitor your
foster cats for behavior problems, such as inappropriate urination or scratching
furniture. If problems arise, contact Kitty Love Rescue to discuss behavior
modification strategies. KLR is not responsible for damages that might occur to
yourself, others in your household, or your personal property as a result of feline
behavior problems while in foster care. If you have “cat-friendly” dogs in your
household, please consult with Kitty Love Rescue about proper introductions with
your foster cats/kittens. Felines who have been raised with dogs, and adult cats
that enjoy (or at least tolerate) the company of canines, often have an advantage
on adoption days! Semi-feral kittens are a special challenge. These kittens can be
socialized, but only with daily handling. Sometimes they will hiss and spit when you
attempt to pick them up. Gently pick them up and hold them close to your body,
giving them a sense of security. Speak softly as you pet them. These kittens need
plenty of reassurance and attention. DO NOT give them a room in which they can
hide from you. They need a box or crate in which to feel secure but you must have
access to them at all times. They will not become socialized unless they are handled
many times each day. They need to become accustomed to the sights and sound of
people and a working home. This should be done gradually but consistently.
• Children should not handle kittens under three weeks of age.
• Do not allow unsupervised handling by children of any kittens.
MEDICAL PROBLEMS:
If your foster kitten displays any of these symptoms, call Kitty Love Rescue
immediately:
• Sneezing and congestion with green or yellow discharge from the nose and/or
eyes.
• Coughing, wheezing or heavy breathing.
• Diarrhea or vomiting – this can be life threatening to kittens!
• Straining to urinate or defecate – this can be life threatening, especially for male
cats!
• Bleeding from any part of the body.
• Lethargy.
• Fever.
• Paralysis.
• Extreme change in attitude or behavior.
• Not eating or drinking regularly.
KITTEN DEVELOPMENT AND VACCINE SCHEDULE
Following is some general information about what to expect at each stage of
development. Remember that these are averages.
• Newborn: Completely dependent on mother. Eyelids closed, ears folded forward –
cannot see or hear. Sense of smell is the first to develop completely and is the
most developed sense at birth.
• One week: Eyes begin to open – all kittens have blue eyes. Kittens huddle
together for security and warmth.
• 10 days: Ears unfold, hearing will develop. Can move along with belly on the
ground, “paddling” limbs for movement.
• Two weeks: Begin to play with littermates, learning how to socialize. Can stand
and balance but cannot walk easily.
• Three weeks: Mobile and eager to explore, making mock-aggressive rushes and
stalking littermates. Teething begins. Cannot retract claws. Weigh regularly to
keep an eye on development. Should be played with and handled at least 1 hour
every day for good socialization.
• Four weeks: Introduce solid food in 4-6 small meals per day. Begin litter box
training. Will begin wrestling with littermates. Will receive first deworming.
• Five weeks: Learning to hunt by pouncing on toys and each other.
• Six weeks: Adult eye color begins to appear. First vaccination for kittens. Receive
second deworming.
FOSTER CARE AGREEMENT PLEASE READ/SIGN
_____1. I understand the goals and mission of Kitty Love Rescue and
agree to work toward these goals and to represent this mission within the
community on behalf of the organization. My commitment includes abiding by KLR’s
foster care guidelines, as outlined, which I have received. This includes, but is not
limited to:
• A commitment to keep my foster cat(s)/kitten(s) indoors and not expose them to
other cats that have access to outdoors.
• A commitment to follow KLR’s instructions with regard to medical care.
• A commitment to keep detailed, dated medical records (which will be made
available for adopters), and ensure that an up to date copy is also on file with KLR.
_____2. I understand that only the Director of KLR has the authority to make
exceptions/changes to program guidelines.
_____3. I understand that KLR Adoption Team is the sole guardian of cats/kittens
in foster care and that fostered cats/kittens must be returned to KLR upon KLR’s
request. I understand that KLR has the right to terminate this foster care
agreement and relationship at will.
_____4. I understand that if I, as a foster parent, want to adopt any of my foster
cat(s)/kitten(s), I must go through the standard KLR process. I also understand
that I cannot send any of my foster cat(s)/kitten(s) to an adoptive or potential
adoptive home until the cat(s) has been altered or signed agreement by adoptive
family to have kittens spay/neutered in the future w/appropriate follow up.
Furthermore, I must have permission from the Foster Care Coordinator before
sending my foster cat(s)/kitten(s) to another approved KLR foster home.
_____5. I understand that foster cat(s)/kitten(s) need to be taken to KLR’s
approved vet for any approved medical care
_____6. I understand that there is a possibility of health or injury risk when
caring for cats. I also understand that pregnant women and people with suppressed
immune systems need to be aware that a parasite sometimes found in feces could
cause toxoplasmosis. Special care needs to be taken if such persons plan to come in
contact with used litter pans. I will not hold Kitty Love Rescue liable for any injury
or illness, whether to the animals or humans in my home, which may result from my
foster activities.
_____7. I understand that if I need to leave town during my foster period that I
will need to give a two-week notice when possible to KLR
______________________________ ___________________ ___________
Printed Name Signature Date
Foster Family Information Sheet
Thank you for volunteering as a foster family for Kitty Love Rescue (KLR). Please
take a moment to answer the following questions, which will provide information
that will help us place cats/kittens in appropriate foster homes.
Date__________________
Name__________________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________________
City_______________________________State__________________Zip___
Home
phone________________________Workphone_________________________
E-mail address________________________________
Cell phone_____________________
Best way to contact and best available hours: __________________________
Are you currently fostering for another organization? ____________
Household Information:
Number of adults in the
household_______Ages__________Female_________Male_______
Number of children in the
household___________________Ages_____________________
Are there other cats in the household? __________________If yes, how
many?__________
Are they up to date on all of their vaccines?
______________________________________
Are there dogs in the household? __________If yes, how many?
________Breed(s) _______
Are they up to date on all of their vaccines?
______________________________________
Please describe your household. For example, is it quiet; is there a lot of activity,
etc.? _________________________________________________________
Are you interested in fostering (check all that apply):
Long-term resident cats_____ Pregnant cats_____ Nursing cats/kittens_____
Cats with special needs_____ FIV+ or FELV+ cats_____ Orphaned kittens_____
Bottle-feeding orphaned kittens____ Sick and/or injured cats_____
Do you have experience bottle-feeding kittens? ____
Are you interested in learning to bottle-feed? _____
Please list previous experience with those areas you checked:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Do you have experience socializing feral kittens? If so, briefly describe:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
If fostering a cat and her kittens, or orphaned kittens, how long are you willing to
do so?
Until kittens are 10 weeks old_____ As long as needed_____ Until they are
adopted_____
Where will the cat(s) be housed? (We generally recommend an isolated space, such
as a spare bedroom, den, laundry room, or bathroom – especially for pregnant or
nursingcats.)____________________________________________________
______________
How many hours a day can you spend with the cat(s)?
_______________________________
Are you willing to (please check all that apply)
_____ Transport the cat(s) to our vet as needed.
_____ Allow adoptive families to visit your home and meet the cat(s) for possible
adoption.
_____ Take pictures and have those readily available
_____ Write a description about each cat?
Do you understand that in order to play an active role in the placement of the
cat(s), you must work in collaboration with Kitty Love Rescue to
meets our guidelines?_____