Fostering FAQ

What do you provide?

We will provide you with everything you need to foster a cat including beds, bowls, litter trays, litter, toys, parasite treatment, a cat carrier.

We are happy to provide cat food but if you are willing and able to provide this yourself we would appreciate it as we receive zero funding and are solely reliant on donations and the generosity of our supporters.

Do I have to drive?

You need to either drive and have access to a vehicle or have access to a driver with a vehicle.

Do I need to have a spare room?

Not necessarily – we also have fosterers who don’t have a spare room but who are a pet free household.

How many cats can I have at once?

We only allow multi-cat fostering where the cats are from the same household.

How long will the cat be with me?

How long is a piece of string?! In all honesty this really depends on you! If you supply us with good photographs, video’s and information about your foster cat then they are more likely to get adopted faster.

Also, it depends on your availability for viewings – if someone wants to view the cat and you tell us you could do “next week” then you will delay what could be a fast process. We always book home checks in as soon as a cat is reserved as we opt for a “no dawdle” approach :)

Can I choose who I foster?

No – it’s all about who is in need when you are available, however, if you are unable to foster a certain type of cat (i.e. elderly, male etc.) then do let us know and we will do our best to ensure no unsuitable cats come your way.

What happens if the cat gets ill?

They will need to see a vet - any required vet care will be paid for by us – please do not book any appointments / schedule any treatment without consulting us first.

Will the cat have fleas and/or other parasites?

Often the cats we receive do have fleas but we always treat this. It is possible that you could receive a cat where the fleas are in the process of dying off or where ‘worm passing’ is in progress. Remember, the majority of the cats in our care have not been well looked after, please respect that they may not arrive in perfect, loved condition. If this sounds like your worst nightmare, then perhaps fostering for Cat-CHING is not for you.

Can my foster cat mix with my resident cats?

We do not recommend allowing foster cats to mix with resident pets – this is for infection control purposes. We will not be held responsible for any illness or injury caused by failure to adhere to our rules.

What if I need advice?

We are here if you need us! We also have a Cat-CHING WhatsApp Group which we can add you to if you wish – there are a number of fosterers in the group who can also support you.

Can I adopt my foster cat?

The aim of fostering is to keep fostering and to keep fostering, you have to let the cats go. It is critical that we keep the foster space open for the next cat. For every one cat you foster we have at least two others waiting for that chance. We cannot stress enough that as a fosterer, your role is SO important and your aim is to be the stepping stone where the cat can recover and prepare for the rest of their lives.

If you are looking for a permanent cat, please enquire about adoption rather than fostering.

What if my friend/family want to adopt my foster cat?

We manage the rehoming of the cats in care, if any friends or family members express an interest in adopting one of the cats you are fostering then please direct them to us.

Why do some people get to foster mum and babies?

It may be because they have the required experience of dealing with this or simply that they were available to foster at the time and we felt they were equipped to meet this challenge. Fostering a mother cat and kittens can be immensely stressful, upsetting and challenging and we do not allocate this task lightly.

Can my foster cat go outside?

No! The cats we care for are not routinely vaccinated, simply because we cannot afford it - it is the new owner’s responsibility to vaccinate and we do not recommend outdoor access until the vaccination has taken place.