Here’s how to foster kittens and help them on their way to forever homes

They sleep on your neck, steal your roasted chicken and forever leave a mark on your heart.

Orphaned kittens flood animal shelters each spring and summer. Most are frail, smaller than the palm of a hand, unable to see, walk or feed themselves. Life hangs on every hour they are without food or warmth.

Enter the foster parent. These determined surrogates solve two critical problems: lowering the burden on the animal shelter and nurturing helpless creatures. They say goodbye to sleep and social events while tending hourly to tiny creatures – bottle feedings, baths, cuddle time, encouragement, soaring joy and sometimes choking sadness.

The goal is simple: Teach these future companions the ways of cats: playing, sharing, comforting. If the family dog wants to help, even better.

Weeks later, when the foster parent’s job is done, these fluffy wards move on to adoption, ready to conquer the hearts of their forever families.

Soon, there will be another late-night call, another desperate text: We’ve got a week-old orphan, can you help?

Absolutely.

Summer and sister Venus snuggle after a play session with their many toys. (Samantha Gowen/SCNG)

Muppet, 12, is a mellow tabby born of a rescued street cat. He often can be found grooming or playing with foster kittens. (Samantha Gowen/SCNG)

Herbie overcame some health issues early in life and is thriving as Max with his forever mom. Being a foster parent means getting kittens to the vet for care, with all costs covered by the rescue group associated with the young cat. (Samantha Gowen/SCNG)

Muppet is a great mentor to kittens, teaching them that older cats rule. (Samantha Gowen/SCNG)

Pro tip: Avoid wearing shoes around small kittens so you don’t squash them under a thick sole that can’t “feel” fur and small bones. This quintet is waiting on their favorite snack: chopped chicken. (Samantha Gowen/SCNG)

Foster kittens orphaned soon after birth require bottle feeding regularly (even in the wee hours of the night) before they transition to solid food. (Samantha Gowen/SCNG)

Foster kittens bond quickly with their primary handler, which means they’ll follow and sit on foster “mom” for comfort and warmth. (Samantha Gowen/SCNG)

Bruno goes nose to nose with 4-week-old foster kitten Summer. Introducing kittens to the family dog takes time and a lot of patience. Bruno, a foster “fail” himself, has been a surrogate papa to many orphans. (Samantha Gowen/SCNG)

“Elvis” would become “Shelvis” after an examination by a vet discovered some hidden family jewels. She made remote work from home a lot more entertaining. (Photo by Samantha Gowen/SCNG)

Before passing foster kittens on to adoption, it’s important to integrate them fully into home life. It makes the transition easier for everyone (even the family dog). (Photo by Samantha Gowen/SCNG)

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What it takes to foster

How long? Fostering a kitten typically takes up to two months, depending on their age. If you are caring for newborns, expect to go the distance. They’ll need at least eight weeks to be weaned, potty trained, vaccinated and ready to transition. If “transitional” kittens older than 3 weeks of age need help, expect to foster them around four to five weeks.

This story is part of a collection of stories printed Sunday, July 31, 2022.
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How to sign up? Find a local nonprofit rescue organization in your community. The Orange County Animal Center in Tustin also has a foster caretaker program that teaches volunteers how to do it. When in doubt, check local pet stores for rescue connections. The closer to your home the better. Why? Their supply chain and partner veterinarians also will be closer to you.

What you’ll need: Rescue organizations, including most animal shelters, will provide necessary supplies such as kitten formula, bedding, litter, food and any veterinarian care such as vaccines or medical intervention. Foster volunteers work for free, contributing their time, patience and compassion. Be sure to have a clear schedule if you plan to foster. Newborns need attention 24/7.

Saying goodbye: The hardest part of fostering a kitten or any pet is often saying goodbye. Some of us “fail” and an orphaned kitten that snares your heart winds up a family member. Pro tip: Remember there will be more kittens that need your help. This often soothes the heartache the day your precious wards leave their first home.

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on July 28, 2022

Here’s how to foster kittens and help them on their way to forever homes

What it takes to foster

More ‘Pets’

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