Foster

 
What is the ASAP Foster Program?

Animal-loving foster parents open their hearts and homes to care for orphaned kittens who arrive at the County Animal Shelter too young for adoption. Foster homes are also needed for mother cats with nursing kittens. The foster period lasts until the kittens are 8-10 weeks old, or until they weigh two pounds. During that time, foster parents provide food (sometimes bottle-feeding), shelter, and much needed tender loving care to help these animals become adoptable.

 
Who are the foster parents?

People from all backgrounds come together to help these animals in need. Many foster parents work full-time outside their home. Mother cats with kittens and older kittens do quite well in this type of home environment. Other foster parents are students, homemakers, retired, or are employed part time. Every foster parent, though, spends quality time with their animals every day, assuring their animals remain healthy and social.

 
Who can help?

We invite any animal lover who can have additional pets in their home to apply for fostering. We will work with you to determine whether foster care is something you would enjoy and whether an animal would benefit from your help. Please ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you able to separate our animals from your own for at least one week?
  Most dormant diseases will appear within one week. A fecal test from the litter should always be done before mixing the kittens with your own animals.
  
  
• Are you willing to take the risk of exposing your animals to ours who may become ill?
  No matter how careful you are, you are taking a risk for your own pets.
  
  
• Are you emotionally prepared to handle the possible death of one of the foster animals?
  Will you be able to bring them back at the end of the foster period?
  
  
• Are you able to spend quality time with your foster kittens?
  This is the most rewarding and FUN part of fostering.
  
  
• Are you willing to work with our vet care system?
  Please understand vet care is very limited through the shelter.
  
  
• Do you realize what you are in for in terms of cost, cleaning expenses and possible damage to your home?
  Are you prepared for the expense of kitten formula (when needed) and high-quality kitten food?
  
  
• Are you reachable by phone during the day?
  Immediate care is often needed for the tiniest kittens that are turned in at the shelter.

For more information, please call Kim Snyder, ASAP Volunteer Coordinator, at 681-4397 or send an email to ktdms@cox.net.

Click Here to download the Foster Form in pdf format.