Nearly 1,000 cats and kittens go through our foster program annually to prepare for adoption. We rely on dozens of foster families to provide care, socialization, and fun as the kittens prepare for your homes! We recently chatted with a few of our foster volunteers to learn more about their experience fostering with Cat Adoption Team (CAT). Here’s what they had to say:
CAT: How long have you been a foster parent?
Laura D.: Our first litter was June 2011 (current count is 122 litters; 403 kittens/cats)
Shawn T.: Since 2008
Denise C.: Dave [my husband] and I have been foster parents at CAT for about 18 years.
CAT: Why did you start fostering?
LD: My daughter & I wanted to volunteer in the animal welfare field when she was around 12 years old. We came across CAT at a PetSmart adoption event and met a foster parent who told us about fostering with CAT.
ST: I came to a general CAT volunteer orientation for shelter duties but a group of kittens needed foster that day and I couldn’t say no. I got hooked and have been fostering since.
DC: We had just moved to OR from CA (where we were active in wildlife and companion animal rescue, and kitten fostering) when we found CAT. I’d been at CAT as an AC [adoption counselor] for about six months and was just getting my sea legs when a lady came in with two kittens she’d found in their company warehouse. They were 8 weeks old, but employees couldn’t find the Mom. The shelter supervisor sadly said there were no fosters to take them and asked if I was willing to take the training if they accepted the kittens. We said yes. We ended up keeping one of the kittens, our beloved Tux Rose, who is still with us. Her Siamese brother got a great home.
CAT: What do you like best about fostering with CAT?
LD: I prefer to foster with CAT because they have excellent resources for fosters like orientation, mentors, training, foster supplies, networking with other fosters, and much more.
ST: Knowing there is a strong support system in place and CAT will go above and beyond to save a struggling kitten.
DC: The best thing about fostering for CAT (aside from getting to play with kittens) is: Meeting the wonderful staff and volunteers that CAT attracts. We’ve made some great friends through this work; the support CAT provides for foster families, whether it be supplies, training, vet care or mentors to answer any questions or concerns. We know CAT has our backs; the clarity and transparency when it comes to challenges, illness, difficult cases, new ways of doing things; knowing there is there is follow up and adopters will have help; last but not least, we know that the staff and adoption counselors want each kitten to get the best possible home. They are as happy as we are when the right match is found. I appreciate the fact that they often tell us a bit about the new families and why it was a good place for our fosters.
CAT: Best piece of advice for someone interested in fostering?
LD: I would advise someone interested in fostering to go through all the training. Start out with a small, healthy group and go from there. CAT will help you with every step. Having a designated, easy-to-clean bathroom or bedroom for fostering is very helpful.
ST: Fostering can be an emotional ride of ups and downs. Don’t let those down moments supersede all the fun, joy and eventual rewarding feeling of finding kittens forever homes and saving lives.
DC: We came to CAT after fostering for 13 years in CA. Speaking as a former teacher, I know there is always more to learn. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Information is updated or found through new studies. Protocols change as needed. Know that the CAT staff and volunteers want every volunteer to feel supported so we can all thrive and do great work for the cats. And, this matters to me deeply, ALL are welcome.
If you’ve been on the fence about fostering and this changed your mind, check out the foster page to get started. And if you want to see more about what it’s like to foster, you can also follow along with many of CAT’s foster families on social media.
