What does Fostering Entails?

I'd love to become a foster parent to a cat or two. But I don't know the "behind the scenes" bit of being a foster mom.

Does the vet bills come from your own pocket?
Are you responsible for finding a home?
What happens if you can't find a home in time and have to give the cat back to the shelter?

What else should I know?

Originally Posted by Draco

I'd love to become a foster parent to a cat or two. But I don't know the "behind the scenes" bit of being a foster mom.

Does the vet bills come from your own pocket?
Are you responsible for finding a home?
What happens if you can't find a home in time and have to give the cat back to the shelter?

What else should I know?

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These are all questions you should ask the organization you are interested in fostering for hun.

Does the vet bills come from your own pocket? For the shelter I foster for they will pay up to a certain amount and it must be preapproved. I usually end up just paying myself.

Are you responsible for finding a home? No, however 99% of the time I do. I do a LOT of advertising my fosters both on Facebook, Kijiji, word of mouth, etc. They can always go back to the shelter if need be, but I would much rather find them a home myself.

What happens if you can't find a home in time and have to give the cat back to the shelter? I have never HAD to give a cat/kitten back to the shelter. There is no time limit. My shelter would rather have them in foster care than have them back in the overcrowded shelter.

As for what else you should know, be prepared for heartbreak. I have had kittens die in my arms. It can also be a LOT of work if you foster a sick cat/kitten, including administering meds, force feeding, etc. With pregnant cats, I have (rarely) had to assist with births, help clean kittens, cut umbillical cords, etc.

That being said, fostering is by far one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done in my life. These kitties NEED us to help them, to be their voice. Giving them a chance at a great life is what I was put on this Earth to do. I love it SO much.

Good luck!

thanks for the reply! I want to see what kind of raise I'd get this coming month before I consider. I don't want to jump into something I can't afford. I know I certainly want to foster, at least a momma cat and her kittens or a special needs kitty

That is wonderful that you are considering fostering. Like Kailie said, be prepared for some heartbreaks . But, also be prepared for some very happy endings and that will make it all worthwhile.

The shelter I foster from, pays for everything and I mean everything. But, I pay for my own food and litter because I want my fosters to eat quality food. I also will bring my foster's to some of the shelter adoption events they have at local pet stores. If someone wants to see the foster off of the website, they are screened first by the shelter and then can come to my house. Usually, this brings about the adoption right then and there as most people are serious about adopting and not just "kicking tires" about it.

On one occasion I had to bring back a foster to the shelter, I had a personal family emergency that I needed to take care of. During my absence, that particular foster was adopted from the shelter . Otherwise, most of my foster's over the years have gotten adopted right out of my house either through the shelter website or of my own doing. It is the MOST rewarding experience, with both ups and downs, but the bottom line to me is that I am making a huge difference towards the positive in the lives of these cats, no matter the final outcome. They are all loved .. to you for considering fostering!!!!!!!!!

I'm so glad you're considering fostering. There's such a need for good foster homes.

The rescue I foster for pays for all vetting. They also provide food and litter, although I often just buy both on my own - one small way to help the rescue.

It's the rescue's responsibility to find homes, but I always do what I can to help spread the word too - making/posting fliers, via Facebook, etc...

With the exception of Evie, an adult female cat I've been fostering on and off for almost 10 months, all of my fosters have been adopted within 2-3 months - the kittens even quicker, so none have had to go back to the rescue. Between Petsmart, Petfinder, adoption fairs, FB, etc...our rescue does pretty well with adoptions, both adult cats and kittens. Even if a foster does have to return to the rescue, as in Evie's case, it's not a concern because the cats there get wonderful care and have a home for the rest of their lives if need be.

I guess my only other advice is prepare to get attached to every cat you foster and be prepared for how hard it can be to let them go. It's gotten easier for me with time. I've been tempted to keep almost every cat I've fostered, then reality sets in and I realize I have to stick to my limits of my permanent cats in order to continue to foster. I haven't kept a foster yet and don't intend to. For me, as hard as it is to let go, what's more important is knowing I'll continue to have the space/time/resources to help other cats in need. Also, it's so rewarding to see my fosters go to their news homes (pre-screened by the rescue), I know it was meant to be.

Good luck with your decision to foster!