Taking on foster kittens is something many people want to do. Let’s face it, kittens are cute, warm and oh so, cuddly. But is it all cuddles and purrs? The job of fostering kittens can be much more involved than some people may realise. In this post, let’s take a look at what is involved, based on my experience fostering three kittens.
My Three Foster Kittens
The three kittens I fostered were found on a farm with their stray mother cat. A local rescue group took her in and soon found a new home for her, but her kittens were too young for adoption. They needed to be cared for until they were old enough to be desexed, vaccinated and microchipped.
I put my hand up. What was three more kittens when you already have two dogs and three cats?
I named them Scout, Jem and Boo. Boo was the only girl and she lived up to her name, being the most scaredy and withdrawn of the three. This made her difficult to handle and socialize, so much so that at one point, I thought no one would want to adopt her.
The Costs Involved in Fostering Kittens
When my foster kittens arrived, I put them in an extra-large dog crate in quiet and enclosed space – the laundry. This was fine for the first few weeks, but it soon became rather cramped, so I decided to buy a larger cage for them. It was a three-storey affair on wheels and had a plastic tray at the bottom which was easy to clean. I could also move their food away from their litter tray to keep things cleaner for them.
That was a discretionary expenditure and well worth it. You really only need the basics – food, bowls, cat litter, litter tray, toys – to be set up for kitten fostering. And if you have or had a pet cat, you are likely to have most of the kit and caboodle already so there isn’t much additional spending. I had some hand-me-down toys from when my three adult cats were younger. And it didn’t take long for me to be reminded of how destructive kittens can be!
Rescue groups vary considerably in their operational and resourcing capacity. Some are able to cover food and other supplies. How much you spend on supplies also depends on which group you foster for. Many small rescue groups are so stretched financially, the best they might be able to do is throw in a free bag of food and/or other provisions.
The Time Involved in Fostering Kittens
As the kittens grew, so did their need to poop, meaning the litter tray had to be cleaned daily. They also ate like tigers and needed feeding two to three times a day. They were messy eaters and I bought lots of different foods because I wanted to introduce them to a variety of tastes, hopefully making it easier for their new owners to care for them.
I started letting them out of their cage so they could explore and learn what it is like to live in a normal house. My cats have a complex cat run which starts with a cat flap in the wall, goes out into a shed, weaves up and down the veranda posts and eventually ends up at an outdoor litter box but in a contained setting.
It didn’t take long for the kittens to realise that they could enjoy all the great outdoors had to offer, from the safety of a contained environment. They began to charge up and down the towers and run at great speed through the tunnels. They also started using the adult cat litter box, which cut down my workload.
They loved playing with one another, so they didn’t need a lot of toys. But they did chew through a few cords including an electrical extension cord – thankfully, it wasn’t plugged in!
I work full time, co-host a radio show, study and have a property to manage, so adding the cleaning of the litter trays and a large pen to that and my dance card was full! I didn’t mind, but how much time you are able to devote to the care and socializing of your little fosters is something to consider.
What About Other Pets?
As mentioned, I already have three cats, all of which were rescued. I also have two dogs, a blind Spaniel and an over-excitable Border Collie. I was prepared to keep my fosters separate from my other pets and that was what I did initially. I needn’t have worried. The Spaniel is so used to animals coming and going, she wasn’t bothered by the kittens at all. The Border Collie thought they were amazing fun new play mates and they soon bonded together. The kittens treated him as a giant toy – who couldn’t resist that big fluffy tail!
The Rewards
There are many intangible rewards from fostering kittens. There is the joy of watching them play and seeing them grow by leaps and spurts. And the abundance of love, cuddles and purrs.
One thing I loved and missed when they were gone was cuddle time in front of TV each night. They purred so loudly I would often have to turn up the volume.
Also, they would rush to see me when I got home and dash down the corridor to their pen where they were fed. I miss trying to step over them and catch them for a pat.
The greatest reward was seeing them go to new homes. It was heart wrenching to part with them, but I knew that in the long term they would be loved and cared for by others who loved them as much as I did.
Who can be a foster carer?
If you love cats, have patience and some space at home, you will make a great foster carer. Rescue groups around the country are looking for foster carers, not only for kittens but for many cats. Just being able to make a difference to one life, saving one kitten or cat from a needless death, is worth all the chewed cords, messy bowls and kitten footprints on your bench tops!
Why become a foster carer?
Fostering kittens is a great way to introduce the plight of unwanted animals to your family, especially your children. They will learn to love and let go of the foster animal, learning to share with others and developing healthy attachments.
Fostering is also a great way to see if you are ready for a cat of your own. You’ll learn what is involved and whether having a cat really suits your circumstances. Unless you become a foster-fail.
A foster-fail happens when foster carers fall in love with their foster animal and decide to keep it as their own. Becoming a foster-fail is common so if it happens with you, it’s simply a sign that it’s meant to be!
Happy Endings
Scout, Jem and Boo all went to loving homes within a week of each other. When a lady came to see Boo, she ran off into the cat run and we didn’t see her. The lady was looking for a female kitten roughly the same age as her male who needed a playmate. Boo fitted the bill purrfectly – she now lives in a loving home surrounded by lovely soft beds and her new best friend.
Scout and Jem landed on their feet, as cats do, very well too. It’s wonderful to be sent photos of them playing and sleeping peacefully in their new homes.
Looking after an animal takes time, patience and cash, but is it worth it? Absolutely!
You will be giving an animal a second chance, providing the love and the care it needs at that critical time of its life, and helping to increase its chances of finding its furever home. There is no better job!
About the Author
Susan is an animal lover, artist, illustrator and children’s books author who lives in regional Victoria. She fostered with Robyn’s Nest Animal Rescue.