Want to Foster Kittens?
What is the Kitten Foster Care Program?
The foster care program is designed to save the lives of underage and sick kittens by having volunteers take care of them until they are available for adoption. Most of these kittens are too young for adoption, needing to recover from an illness or injury, or in need of socialization/behavior modification.
We are always seeking additional foster providers to open their homes to these animals in need and help us save lives. Fostering situations can be as short as a few days to a couple of months, depending upon the animal’s specific needs.
In order to make the fostering experience a positive one for both you and the animal, we match animals in need to the foster provider’s home environment, personal abilities and comfort level in working with various medical conditions or behaviors.
IMPORTANT! You must be at least 18 years old to become a foster. Your children can assist with the fostering process but a responsible adult must be the main caretaker.
Benefits of Fostering
Fostering saves lives — and it’s incredibly rewarding. Most of our foster animals are kittens under 8 weeks old who need a safe, loving place to grow before they’re ready for adoption. As a foster parent, you provide essential care, help socialize young animals, and play a direct role in their future success.
Each year, more than 800 kittens come through our shelter needing foster homes. Fostering not only gives these vulnerable animals a second chance, but also offers you the opportunity to earn volunteer hours, experience the joy of helping animals thrive, and receive plenty of unconditional love along the way.
Am I ready to be a foster parent?
Fostering is fun and rewarding, but can be messy and a lot of work!
We recommend checking out this page from the Kitten Lady Guru on what to expect. You do not need any prior experience to become a foster parent with our shelter, but you do need to plan ahead to make sure you have the time and space required for fostering.
Foster Volunteer FAQ
Can I become a foster volunteer if I have pets of my own?
Yes, we welcome pet owners as foster volunteers. Please keep in mind that there is always a health risk when exposing your pets to other animals, in any setting. We do advise keeping foster kittens separate from your own pets. However the risk is minimal if your pets are current on vaccines and in good health.
How long do animals need to stay in foster care?
The typical foster stay is two weeks to two months, depending on the needs of the individual animal(s) in your care. The timeframe of each foster situation will be discussed with you ahead of time.
What expenses are involved with foster care?
Foster families provide housing and time for animals in their care. They also provide socialization, snuggles, and lots of love! While foster homes are welcome to purchase items for their foster kittens. The Yolo County Animal Shelter will provide food, litter, toys, and all medical care for animals in foster homes, including vaccination, medications, and spay/neuter surgery.