Animal Talk Rescue Foster
Program

While the Rescue tries to accommodate as many animals as possible, space at the adoption center is limited.  Kittens need a home until they are weaned and can be cycled into the adoption center to find homes.  Some kitties need foster homes while they grow so they are old enough to be adopted, others need to recover from illness or injury, and still others are shy or feral and need to have extra TLC and patience to help them be more social so they can be placed for adoption.

Animal Talk Rescue provides foster homes with all necessary expenses, including food, litter and medical care.  The foster homes provide their foster kitties with the time, love, and space that they need.

Thank you for considering opening your home to a rescued cat.  The
foster program at ATR has been in existence since 2000.  With the help of our foster homes, ATR saves over 1,000 cats per year from euthanasia.  Over 200 foster homes are involved.  This program provides a safe environment for cats to heal and socialize until a permanent adoptive home can be found. As a foster parent, your goal is to prepare cats and kittens for adoption.

As a foster home, you become part of the Animal Talk Rescue volunteer family and may be asked to become more involved. This is not required, but we always welcome new ideas and skills that our foster homes provide. We operate by nearly 100% volunteer power. Everyone you will interact with is a volunteer, including you.

Foster Orientation

We will be holding regular foster orientations for new and existing fosters. This is mandatory for new fosters and encouraged for newer and existing foster homes. Please email us to find out the next date and time. They are typically held from 6:30-7:30 pm on a weeknight, but we are flexible depending on demand.

Types of Fostering

These are some of the situations in which animals will benefit from a foster home. They have different needs and time commitments. “Easy” depends on your availability and space in your home. Kittens need to be brought back to the rescue every two weeks. Older cats that need love or socialization will need less transporting. Sick or injured cats may need to go to the vet. Vet visits and transport are arranged through the rescue.

• Kittens too young to be adopted.
• Orphaned kittens.
• Abused cats that need socialization and tender loving care.
• Injured cats.
• Cats recovering from surgery or illness.
• Abandoned mother cats with kittens.
• Feral cats that require socialization.
• Cats that need a temporary home while the rescue is overcrowded.

Time Commitment and Responsibilities

Each situation is unique to the needs of the cat.  Cats going into foster care are often stressed. It is essential that foster parents understand that moving cats from the rescue to the foster home is also stressful. The animals depend on the foster parents for security during this adjustment period, which can take from a few days to a few weeks. 

Foster parents must be patient and commit to the cat until the healing or
socialization is completed to avoid the unnecessary stress of readjustment to
multiple temporary homes.  Foster cats must remain in the care of the original foster parent unless prior permission is received from ATR. You cannot foster out your fosters or give them away. In essence they are the property of ATR. We do have some temporary foster homes that may be able to provide care if you are going out of town. We also have some volunteers that are able to visit your home.

The length of time foster cats stay in a foster home depends on the health and adoptability of the cat.  Before cats can be adopted, they must have
their initial tests for feline diseases, be spayed or neutered and be well
socialized.  Foster parents should plan to provide a home for 2-10 weeks. During the time you are fostering, expect to bring the cats back to the rescue every two weeks for checkups, vaccinations and wormings. If the cats are not spayed or neutered yet,
you will be expected to bring them in the day before a scheduled spay/neuter
clinic and pick the up the day of their surgery. If you are unable to transport
the cats from your home to the rescue regularly, let us know. A litter of
kittens is not the best fit, but we have other cats that need socialization and
respite. They do not need to be seen as regularly. If you have a limited time
that you are able to foster, let us know and we can help you choose animals that
will meet your needs.

The Foster Space in Your Home

Foster cats require an indoor space separate from other household animals. 
A spare bedroom, bathroom, or laundry room is ideal. The bathroom is by
far our favorite. Any indoor space free of hiding places or places where a cat
could get stuck will work and that is easy to clean.  It is important that the foster parent visits this room often so that the cats become well socialized.  Cats are not allowed outdoors under any circumstances.  A room without carpet is easier to keep clean.

ATR supplies the food, litter, equipment and medical services.  Foster
parents provide a stable and safe environment as well socialization. Towels,
toys, scratching posts, bleach, and soap are some of the items a foster home can
have to make their experience more successful. Foster homes also receive a 15%
discount on supplies at the pet store, Animal Talk, with the exception of food.
The discount is not exclusive to goods for your foster animals.

Foster animals and resident animals

We require you to keep a separate space for your foster cats and not introduce them to your resident animals. It is always a health risk to expose your pets to other animals. Animals are at rik of contracting an illness in the veterinarian’s office, the
city park, or the back yard.  However, the health risk is minimal if your pet’s vaccinations are current, they maintain a healthy life style, and they are not very young, very old, or immune compromised. Any concerns should be addressed by a veterinarian before becoming a foster parent.

Your resident animals may not be accepting of the foster cats and have behavioral problems. This is reduced if the foster cats are kept separate. Your own animals will be aware of the foster animals, but their territory will not be threatened unless you have to do an introduction.

Dogs are not affected by feline upper respiratory diseases, feline leukemia, or feline immune deficiency virus.  Parasites and funguses however, can be passed between cats and dogs. 

Humans who are in contact with live animals can be exposed to a group of diseases called zoonosis’. A zoonotic disease is a disease transmitted from animals to humans or humans to animals.  There are about 200 zoonotic diseases.  If someone in the household is immune compromised or pregnant, a potential foster parent should consult a doctor and/or a veterinarian before becoming a foster parent. 

If you are interested in becoming providing a foster home to some of our cats, please contact us at atrfosters@gmail.com.

P.S. When things get busy around here it is much easier for Missy to post warning, updates or needs on Animal Talks Volunteer Facebook page Please bookmark or add to your cell phone and check in. You can also add pictures and fun updates about your fosters

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Volunteers and Fosters

We have a Facebook page for our wonderful volunteer and foster community to share information and ask questions. Join now!

6514 Roosevelt Way • NE Seattle, WA 98115 • (206) 526-1558 • Email Us