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How to become a cat foster parent
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Image: Seattle Animal Shelter
Lisa Clinton, foster cat team lead at Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) likes to tell people if you have a bathroom you can foster a cat.
“A bathroom is a nice amount of space for a cat that has been in a cage,” she said.
So, what else does it take to be a foster parent? Obviously, you’ve got to love cats and have a genuine interest in helping them find a forever home! Experience with animal behavioral or medical issues is a plus, but not necessary. You will need common sense and patience, as well as transportation to and from SAS during business hours, and to and from veterinarian providers, should the need arise.
You’ll need to provide a loving, caring home, time and sufficient room and board for the cat. The shelter will provide vet visits, medicine and a support system as well as a case manager for each foster parent.
Currently, SAS needs foster parents who can take an adult cat (or two) from the ISO room, where cats go when they have URI (basically cat colds). The ISO is only big enough for 18 cats and so SAS relies on foster parents to house the rest.
“Cats with colds just need a nice warm dry bed, food and water and sometimes they need help eating, medication or fluids,” Clinton said.
Not so sure about a cat with special needs? Foster parents can pick a foster cat that matches with their experience level. Someone who doesn't want to deal with a cat that needs to be given medication every day can opt for one that is just getting a little "cage crazy" and needs a little more space and quiet. You could also choose a cat finished with medication, but in need of some rest. Those who have experience taking care of sick cats can take a cat which allows them to use that experience. SAS will be forever grateful – as will your foster cat!
While there are cats to match every experience level, you do need to be 18 or older to foster.
Foster parents can have animals of their own too. A foster cat should stay in a bathroom or spare room for 10 days or longer if sick. After that period, many foster parents do mix their foster cat in with their resident animals (cats or dogs). And if everybody gets along it can be beneficial in the adoption process to know if the foster cat gets along with other cats or dogs.
The next foster orientation is tomorrow, Sunday, July 12 at noon in the SAS conference room. The Seattle Animal Shelter is located at 2061 - 15th Avenue West, one mile south of the Ballard bridge. But, if you can’t make it tomorrow, don’t worry – orientations are usually every first Saturday of the month at noon (this month it was moved to Sunday due to the holiday) and last about two hours. You will fill out an application and agreement, learn about the foster program, guidelines, what kinds of cats need fostering, how to get them adopted and other tips. You’ll also learn more about SAS, take a shelter tour, and then choose to take your foster cat home or wait.
To learn more about the Seattle Animal Shelter foster care program and to find out more information about foster care volunteer orientations, call (206) 615-0737.
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