Question about fostering...

I've learned so much from reading about everyone's successes in fostering cats. I decided to look into fostering with one of the organizations in my area. They told me I wasn't allowed since I already have cats...they only foster to people without other pets.

Is this a common practice?

How would they know if you have a clue about how to care for animals??? Wouldn't most animal lovers, those willing to foster, already have resident pets? That doesn't make any sense to me. I would try another organization. I understand that fostering does potentially pose a risk to resident animals, and I understand requiring proof of vaccinations for resident pets and/or a suitable space to be able to keep them separate. But no pets at all?

That doesn't make sense to me either. Our little group has several people who foster and they all have resident pets. We do require that they keep the fosters separate if there are medical issues, but depending on the situation and how long the foster cat is with them, they often introduce to them to their own pets. This usually works out better in terms of their socialization and helps them get used to a real home environment.

That's what i was confused about as well. I would think that that would severly limit their possible volunteers. My friend fostered for them when she was in university (away from home) and missed her kitties.

I'm not in a situation to guarantee i can take on a long term foster, but with kitten season on us, I figured I could offer a room to a mom and a litter for a few months to help out the rescue.

Any tips for a wannbe fosterer?

I think sometimes the people running the foster agencies get a little wacky! Honestly, only people who love animals are going to foster, and of course they will have pets! And how would you know if the foster gets along with other cats, if you don't have any?!?! In my agency, having other cats and dogs is a big plus.

Not to mention, almost everyone who fosters ends up keeping some of the fosters...would that mean you had to give up fostering?

I would try to find another agency to foster for. I am with a very good agency...the people are great, and very supportive. That means a lot when you are dealing with some of the inevitable problems that come up with fostering.

No. Seriously, that rule sounds nuts to me!

I'd suggest calling another shelter/rescue. I doubt you'll run into the same issue elsewhere.

Try other organizations. When I was calling around, I found that different groups had different rules.

I like the one I'm with, and having other pets is no problem in being accepted as a foster home, especially because these homes are badly needed. They are fairly strict on what cats they will put in what situations. All their animals are tested and vaccinated (unless too young) before being put into a household. They will not put an FIV positive into a home with a negative, and visa versa.

There are been situations where they have stipulated that the animals be kept apart, and some where it wasn't an issue. Unfortunately, I have a 1-bedroom apt, so won't take animals that absolutely can't interract with my cats.

However, a mother and babies might cause some serious problems in a home with other cats unless they can be separated, because of the mother's protection instinct and the already-in-residence cats needing to protect their territory. That can be hairy. Two cats that normally would get along fine might end up going for the jugular when one has kittens.

I'm honest with the group I'm with as to what I feel i'm capable of and what I'm not, and I think they appreciate that. And I've since fostered trust with them because I do respect their rules.

If they won't let you foster because you have other cats, period, I'd go elsewhere. But if there are other reasons like the space involved, or just certain situations like medical or a mom with kittens, that you might find everywhere Ask more specific questions about what you're intersted in.

Interestingly, the group I foster for frowns upon their foster parents keeping any animals, and there is actually a large financial penalty. I'm not sure why they do that, maybe because of the financial investment they've made, or it keeps their fosters still having room to foster, one day I have to ask them about that.

Anyway, it is a wonderful, rewarding fun situation. Good luck!

Originally Posted by Renny

I've learned so much from reading about everyone's successes in fostering cats. I decided to look into fostering with one of the organizations in my area. They told me I wasn't allowed since I already have cats...they only foster to people without other pets.

Is this a common practice?

Click to expand...

I don't think it is common...one thing you should do is make sure your cats are UTD on EVERYTHING before bringing home a foster...you should also seggregage the foster away from your existing cats for a few days to ensure it doesn't have a URI.

Katie