Fostering
Foster families save lives by providing a temporary home, freeing up space in the shelter, socializing animals—and even by helping to place animals. Sometimes our new cat rescues require the personalized care and peaceful surroundings that only one of our foster homes can provide. Becoming a foster parent can be a very rewarding experience. Below are some of the needs our foster cats require at various stages of life. They will give you more details on the joys and responsibilities of being a foster parent.
Fostering Adult Cats:
At first, your cat may be nervous or scared. They may need time to adjust to their new surroundings and to new people.
Approach your foster cat calmly and slowly, in a non-threatening manner.
Don’t give your new foster cat free run of the house right away. If you have other cats, keep them separated until the health of your new foster is assured.
Provide a cozy bed, a bowl of fresh water, and clean litter at all times.
Don’t allow the cat to go without eating for more than 24 hours - this can be a sign that something is wrong and may have serious health consequences. Please contact AnimalKind or a veterinarian immediately.
If your foster cat needs coaxing to eat, try tempting them with treats like canned salmon or tuna.
Fostering Orphan Kittens:
Because kittens are fragile, it is important to watch their behavior closely and monitor their health daily. To track their progress, keep a journal of each kitten’s weight, eating habits, and overall health. Weigh the kittens daily to ensure they are growing, and record the weight in the journal.
Watch for signs of illness, including:
Frequent crying
Restlessness
Weakness
Coldness (hypothermia)
Diarrhea
Dehydration
Shallow or labored breathing
Pale or bluish gums or tongue
Notify AnimalKind immediately if a kitten:
Is losing weight
Feels cold to the touch
Has trouble breathing (either shallow or labored)
Has diarrhea
Distemper, caused by the panleukopenia virus, can result in rapid decline and death in young kittens. Contact AnimalKind immediately if you notice symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhea.
In our 20-year history, we have encountered one kitten with rabies. This usually involves bite wounds of unknown origin. In such cases, we will isolate the kitten at AnimalKind. If a kitten in your care shows neurological symptoms, contact AnimalKind at once.
Newborn kittens need to nurse every two to three hours
Feed kittens while they are resting on their tummies. Never feed them on their backs, as it can cause fluid to enter the lungs.
If you're unsure how to feed your kitten, ask your veterinarian, shelter, or rescue group for guidance.
Use commercial kitten formula with a feeding bottle or syringe that holds 2–4 ounces. Feed slowly and carefully.
Sterilize feeding bottles with boiling water before filling them with formula.
Do not use a microwave to sterilize bottles, as it can create hot spots that may burn the kitten’s mouth. Instead, warm the filled bottle by placing it in a bowl of very warm water.
Kittens need a warm place to sleep - a disposable cardboard box works well as a nesting box.
Line the nesting box with washable or disposable bedding (newspaper or towels), as kittens will soil it daily.
Use a heating pad set to LOW under one side of the nest box only. This allows the kitten to move away if they get too warm.
Until they are 3 weeks old, kittens need help urinating and defecating. After each feeding, gently stimulate the anus and urinary opening using a warm, damp washcloth (a terrycloth one works well).
At 4 weeks of age, you can begin introducing solid food such as strained baby food meats or high-quality canned kitten food.
Once they start eating solid food, provide a bowl of fresh water consistently.
Kittens typically open their eyes at around 2 weeks and begin moving around by 3 weeks
Fostering Nursing Mother Cats and Kittens:
Provide a box large enough for the mother and her kittens, with sides high enough to keep the kittens in but low enough for the mother to enter and exit easily.
Line the box with several layers of bedding so you can peel away the top layer when it needs changing.
Allow the mother cat to care for her kittens as long as she remains actively engaged.
Feed the mother a nutrient-dense diet - kitten food is ideal for her needs.
Offer food several times a day, or consider keeping a bowl of dry food available consistently.
It’s normal for the mother cat to want breaks between feedings. Once the kittens start to explore, you can keep them in a separate room with a gate that allows the mother to come and go.
Around 4 weeks of age, kittens will begin trying moist kitten food. If any are slow to start, help by offering a bit on your finger for them to sniff and taste.