How does one go about fostering kittens?

[Eurobabe]

How would I do this? Contact local no kill shelters? Heck I would even take a momma who was going to have babies. 48

[livetohike]

1. Our local SPCA shelter has a plea for fostering kittens

on the home page of their web site. Maybe you can find a web site for a shelter in your area and check it out.

[flvegan]

2. Find a local shelter or rescue and make an offer.

You can find a good number of rescues on petfinder.com. As a rescuer, foster homes are the MOST important resource. More so than money.

The shelter/rescue will probably have you fill out an application, and may want to visit your home to be sure you have a space where the kittens can safely be kept, possibly away from any animals you already have.

To add my $0.02 bias here, I'd call an open intake (kill) shelter first. They probably get/pick up all the strays, and probably get kittens in boxfulls. If you took in a litter of kittens you'll likely be saving their lives instantly. That, or creating space for an adult cat that otherwise would've been euthanized because those kittens were in his/her "space" and they were more adoptable. Many shelters will simply euthanize very young kittens as they can't place them for adoption (in most states) until they're at least 8 weeks old. They may not have space for a litter to take up for the 4-6 weeks they'll need to be old enough.

Just a thought...

[RebelOne]

3. Go to YahooGroups.com.

If you are not already signed up for Yahoo, you will have to register. Search for animal rescue groups in your area. You should have no problem finding foster kittens. These groups are begging for fosters.

[Lorien]

4. Just go to Petfinder.com

do a kitten search in your zip code. Rescue groups will pop up beside the kitten's photos. Click on the group name, and you'll get the contact info. Kitten season is NOW-and they need all the help they can get! I'm taking a momma and four kittens today because Goblin's foster mom has 35 cats in her house right now!

[Eurobabe]

5. awww, I know I saw your post....

I need to see these orange devils. My orange devil in kneading me like crazy today, making it real hard to type -- but I like the love. :hug:

[prozacnation]

6. 35 cats? Seriously?

My husband is freaking out because we have 14 kittens, two moms and one one-eyed-cat. I think at 35 we'd be talking divorce. More power to her but I couldn't keep up with that many unless I had a huge house and a maid.

[Lorien]

7. I know-there's no way I could handle it

it's hard enough with three! Miro is no trouble at all (except around dinner time when he gets very vocal), but Oberon and Puck are nagging me for playtime and treats throughout the day. When The Goblin was here, he was constantly climbing up my leg and biting my ankles. I can't imagine TEN kittens doing that! She said she would bring me five three days ago, then changed her mind and said four, now she MIGHT bring me some on Saturday-it's like she wants to keep them ALL at her house-and she works outside of the home! Meanwhile I have a 12X15 "kitten room" set up here with toys, baskets, a litter box...giving me four might not make a huge difference for her at this point, but it's better for the kittens!

*sigh*

[prozacnation]

8. Good grief

If she doesn't want to give any up (which she should so they can be better socialized) then you should call a local rescue group. They would be happy to give you plenty of kittens to fill up your room.

[Lorien]

9. She's from the local rescue group

and she's just a bit nutty! Hey-it's Florida. ;-)