How about fostering a rescued cat?

Do you live in the Central Florida area? Are you a cat person? Have you ever considered being a cat/kitten foster parent? There are lots of opportunities to help cats/kittens that are in need of homes, without adding another cat to your household permanently.


Rescue groups and shelters are always in need of caring people who will temporarily house cats and/or kittens to help get them ready for adoption. Fostering can last a few days to a few months. Fostering gives these animals a chance to interact with people and other animals, get used to living in a loving home environment, or get through a convalescence period. Most rescue groups are struggling to find homes for all of the cats and kittens they rescue from kill shelters, abandoned or from our streets. Kitten season is just around the corner as well. Spring is when most intact/unfixed female cats have their kittens and shelters and rescue groups will be overflowing with mother cats and kittens.

I recently heard from Candy Sullivan of Candy’s Cats (http://candyscats.rescuegroups.org/) about their Fostering 101 program. The veterinarians at Park Avenue Animal Hospital (http://www.parkavenuevets.com/) give an annual orientation for Candy’s Cats (CCI) foster parents. Those attending get the basics of caring for their foster cats. CCI then follows up with another session at a volunteer’s home. The protocols are reviewed to make sure everyone is comfortable with how to handle any situation that may arise. You will have the information you need to succeed, and a great support system if you need advice.  If you’re interested in fostering, check out Candy’s Cats’ website and contact them at candyscats@aol.com to get set up with their fostering program.

If you aren’t able to volunteer or foster, at least SPAY or NEUTER your companion animals. It is better for their health. Over four million homeless animals are killed in U.S. shelters each year. You can find low cost spay/neuter services in your area at http://www.lovethatcat.com/spayneuter.html .