I get a call that they have some kittens for me, and I pick them up, along with a starter supply of food and kitty litter. The object is usually to let them grow big enough for surgery and adoption, which is 2 lbs. of body weight. Then I bring them back and they have their neuter/spay surgery and get put on the adoption floor at the shelter. When they are little, they stay in my laundry room next to the kitchen, and gradually are allowed more space.
I have had a few adults that the shelter wanted to try out in a home situation to make sure they were litter box trained. Sometimes people bring in cats for that reason, when all the cat wants is to have their box cleaned out regularly!
Of course there can be complications along the way. I was only supposed to have the last litter for a week, but after a week they came down with Calicivirus and had to have ten days of meds, nine days of waiting after that, and then a vet check up, then wait for a space on the busy surgery schedule, so they were with me eight weeks and were almost 4 months old by the time they went in. The shelter pays for all vet visits and provides all meds.
If I have to go away overnight, I just bring them back to the shelter and they watch them for me until I get back. It's only happened one time. I have fostered 32 kittens and cats since I started doing this 18 months ago.
The good things about it: you get to enjoy the cute kitten phase without the 12-18 year commitment of owning a cat, the shelter pays for all meds and vet visits and some of the food, and you get to feel happy you have done something good.
The downside is saying goodbye, especially for the ones you get particularly attached to. But that is the sacrifice we make in order to make a difference to these little lives.
Overall it is a really positive experience, if you have the space and time for it. I am home during the day so it fits me pretty well. I have two cats of my own, older, who have learned to take kittens in their stride. I do keep them separated from the kittens until I am sure the babies have not brought anything contagious along with them.
I would call around and see if a shelter near you is a good fit. I had already been volunteering at the one I work for, so it was a natural progression to start fostering since I like working with the people and like the shelter's operations--they are a no-kill shelter so it is a generally cheerful place to volunteer.
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I had five months of kitten fostering before this break and will be getting back into it in a few weeks.
