Your Guide to Fostering Cats
Thinking about fostering cats but not sure how to get started? You don’t need a big home, endless free time, or a degree in feline psychology to succeed. You just need a little space, a lot of heart, and a willingness to help a cat in transition.
WHAT TO KNOW
Start by knowing what fostering really means
Fostering a cat isn’t the same as adopting her. Instead of committing for life, you’re offering a safe, loving pit stop on her way to a furever home. That might mean a few weeks, a few months, or sometimes just a weekend emergency stay. You’ll be feeding her, scooping her litter, and offering emotional support while she decompresses from shelter life or recovers from medical care. This can be a stressful and often confusing time for her, so you’re basically her superhero.
Understand what you’re responsible for
When you foster through a shelter or rescue group, they usually cover the essentials like vet care, medications, and sometimes food and litter, too. You’re responsible for the day-to-day care and the love part. You’ll also need to keep an eye on your foster cat’s behavior and health and report any changes. Is he eating well? Using the litter box? Sneezing or hiding more than usual? You’re the front line of communication.
Be ready for all types of cats
Some foster cats are confident from the jump. Others are shy, spicy, or deeply confused about what’s happening. You may foster a kitten who thinks your shoelaces are prey or a senior lady who just lost her longtime home and isn’t thrilled about it. That’s okay. Every cat has a different story, and you’re just helping them write a better next chapter. Patience is your best tool.
You’ll probably get attached
It’s called “foster fail” when you end up adopting your foster cat, and it certainly happens. But fostering isn’t a test to see if you can resist falling in love; it’s about doing something loving, however it turns out. The “goal” is to provide a positive transition, so do plan to let your furball go and invite your next guest in. When you say goodbye, know you gave him something life-changing: safety, trust, and a soft place to land when he needed it most. Then you get to do it again for another cat. And another. That’s real impact. And if you “fail,” that’s totally fine. You still saved a life!
WHAT TO DO
The easiest way to begin is by reaching out to a local animal shelter or rescue group. Most have fostering programs and will walk you through the whole process. Some even host info sessions or “Foster 101” trainings to set you up for success.
Ask questions
If you’re not sure before diving in for the first time, ask your rescue or shelter a few helpful questions:
– What types of cats need fostering right now?
– How long do your fosters typically stay?
– Do you provide food/litter/meds, or will I supply them?
– What happens if I need help or an emergency arises?
Start small if you’re nervous. Adult cats who just needs a quiet place to recover are often easier. Or offer to be a weekend foster when someone else goes on vacation. There’s no wrong place to start.
Keep your expectations flexible
Not every foster cat will greet you at the door or sleep curled up under your chin. Some will hide under the couch for days, some will meow all night, and some will immediately claim your laptop as their throne. Let them be who they are. You’re not here to “fix” anyone, but to give them room to feel safe.
Protect your own pets and sanity
If you have resident pets, introductions should be slow and supervised, or not happen at all, depending on the situation and the amount of space you have. Many fosters keep their cats completely separated, especially at the beginning. Not every cat needs or wants to make new friends right away. The same goes for you. Fostering is beautiful, but it can also be emotional. Don’t overcommit. Don’t feel guilty if you need a break. Even one successful foster makes a difference.
Make space
You don’t need a whole spare bedroom or a designer catio to make this work. But your foster cat should have a designated space to feel safe and settle in, especially during the first few days. A quiet bathroom or a small guest room works perfectly. Keep it calm, warm, and stocked with the basics: food and water bowls, a litter box, a soft bed, and a hiding spot (a cardboard box with a blanket inside does the trick). Resist the urge to give her full run of the house right away. Confidence builds in small, safe steps.
Set them up for adoption success
One of the best things you can do is help your foster cat become more adoptable. That might mean working on trust-building, brushing him daily so he looks and feels his best, or simply figuring out his personality. Is he food-motivated? Playful? Quiet and cuddly? That info helps match him with the right future home. Photos help too. Natural lighting, cozy backgrounds, and even a short video can make him stand out from a sea of profiles.
Every time you foster, you're not just helping one cat, but clearing space in a shelter for rescue for another, making room for the next life that needs saving. Yay you!