Almost Home Cat Rescue is cage free, each cat that would potentially come to the rescue will be medically & behaviorally assessed by our medical officer.
If a cat receives a positive assessment, they will go to the rescue.
However, if we determine that a cat would thrive better in a home setting, they will remain in foster care until they are adopted.
Cats who have medical issues and/or are on prescription diets also stay in foster care for individualized attention.
Fostering helps prevent the births of more unwanted homeless cats.
In addition to being safely indoors, fostered kittens are typically spayed and neutered, which helps control cat populations and save more lives.
Fostering introduces cats and kittens to new pools of prospective adopters
Fostered cats and kittens benefit from exposure to the caregiver’s friends and family, and the caregiver can offer trusted and enthusiastic assessments of the cat’s personality and needs.
At their best, foster caregivers are their cats’ parent and publicist.
Fostering provides a safe and healthy environment for kittens to grow.
With weaker immune systems, kittens are more prone to getting sick in shelter settings where they are exposed to various animals.
Kittens under eight weeks old - who cannot survive on their own without continuous care - are especially vulnerable.
It’s temporary.
Fear of commitment? Fostering is perfect for you.
Fostering means you care for the cat in your home, temporarily, they are adopted.
We will do our best to match you with the right kitten or cat based on your situation, experience and desired length of commitment.
Not a lot of space is needed
All it takes is a small spare bedroom, office, or a bathroom
While we do need foster cats to stay separate from your own cats, it doesn’t take much space to do that.
Socializing & Rehabilitation
Fostering is wonderful for kitties going through medical recovery, resolving behavioral problems, or in need of socialization (learning how to interact with people and/or other animals, deal with stressful situations, and manage emotional and physical reactions to different stimuli).
Having a calm space, and someone dedicated to helping the cat heal, makes for a smoother and speedier recovery.
There is nothing more satisfying than holding a purring fur-ball in your arms and knowing that because of you, the cat/kitten will be able to grow up and have a home and family.
For a small and pleasurable effort, few things in life yield such enormous results.
Become a foster parent
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Qualifications
Foster parents must be able to provide a safe, loving and stable environment.
Experience with specialized care such as behavior or medical issues is a plus, but not necessary.
All fosterers must be 21+, complete a virtual home visit, and pass a routine background check. Any other members of the household that are 18+ must pass a routine background check, as well.
You must be able to transport your foster animal to and from the shelter, and to the vet during regular business hours.
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Requirements
You must be able to provide a separate space for quarantining new fosters in order to maintain the health and wellbeing of foster and resident cats.
All foster cats must only be kept indoors and cannot interact with cats that spend time outdoors.
All resident cats must be up to date on vaccines and routine medical care and if over the age of 4 months, they need to be spayed/neutered.
Resident FIV/FeLV (+) cats must be kept separated from all foster cats and kittens.
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What to expect
Upon pick up, you will be provided with essentials for the first two weeks of care. As future needs arise, you can receive reimbursement for pre-approved self-purchased foster items OR you can pick up supplies with the Foster Care team lead.
AHCRM is responsible for all medical and financial obligations for all foster animals. We do appreciate donations when possible, but it is not a requirement of fostering.
Foster care team leads and case managers are readily available to help guide you through any situation that may come up.
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Time commitment
Every situation and animal is different, so the time commitment can vary. The average stay in a foster home depends on the age and socialization of the cat or kitten. Newborn kittens are fostered for 12 weeks prior to adoption. Any other cat or kitten is dependent on their health and adoptability.
The average daily time commitment is 2-3 hours. Daily and total time commitments may be extended for various reasons, including health, behavior, rate of growth, or space limitations at the shelter. Flexibility is appreciated.
Ready to foster?
Complete an application now!