3 Awesome Reasons For Fostering Cats

Lisa Selvaggio
by Lisa Selvaggio
Have you ever thought of fostering cats? There are so many reasons to do it – here are our 3 favorites!


Becoming a foster parent to kittens and cats in need is a really fulfilling way to help kitties prepare for their forever homes. You get to keep them comfortable, you can help them heal from injury or abuse, and you get to socialize them so they’ll love people and other pets.


If you hate seeing all of the kitties who are forced to stay in lonely cages in shelters and you want to rescue them to give them a second chance before it’s too late, fostering cats is a great way to make a difference.


Here’s a few of the many reasons why so many people love fostering cats, and why you should consider doing the same.


Related: TNR: What is It And How Does It Help Feral Cats?


1. You’re Saving a Life!


By fostering cats, you’re essentially working as part of a team to save the lives of cats and kittens that would otherwise be euthanized in shelters. And even if you’re fostering for a no-kill shelter, you’re still saving lives because you’re helping to open up space at the shelter so that even more kitties can be rescued.


Foster parents are there to help organizations save kitties in desperate need of rescue, sometimes swooping in on the same day that they’re scheduled to be euthanized. They help these cats get back to a state of health, whether they’re ill or come from an abusive past and need extra loving to trust humans again. In so many ways, foster parents give these cats a second chance at life, at health, and at happiness.


2. Not Ready to Be a Cat Parent? Try Fostering


Consider fostering if you aren’t ready to be a permanent cat parent. It’s a great way to see what it’s like to have a kitten or cat in your home, but you don’t have to make a long-term commitment. And if you do end up falling in love with the kitty you’re fostering, you can always adopt him to keep him forever.


Related: How To Create A Cat-Friendly Home


The same goes for those who aren’t financially able to keep a pet. Every shelter and rescue is different, but you may be able to foster for an organization that covers the cost of supplies you need, such as litter and cat food, as well as veterinary exams. This means that you get to take care of a kitty without having to worry about affording to be a pet parent.


And if you aren’t ready to adopt a kitty because you aren’t sure what your future holds (marriage, kids, relocating, career change, etc.), fostering is a great way to have animals in your home that you can care for on a short-term basis until they’re adopted.


If you’re ready to become a foster parent to cats in need, it’s a great idea to have some level of experience with felines. If you don’t, it may be best to first volunteer at an animal shelter to get to know these animals and their needs better. Be honest when applying to become a foster parent so the rescue group can properly match you with the kitties that will do best in your home until they’re adopted.


3. It’s Fun and Rewarding for the Whole Family


Cats and kittens are a lot of fun to have around and can provide your entire family with hours of joy and laughter. Your kids will learn how to respect and nurture animals, and if you have other pets, they may enjoy the extra company as well.


But in addition to being fun, fostering cats allows you to see the direct, positive impact that you’ll have on an animal in need. A once shy cat can turn into one that loves to snuggle and meet new people, an abused cat will learn to trust again, and a sad kitty who was abandoned by his family will feel love and companionship again.


Ready to Foster?


With so many rescues, foster networks, and animal shelters all over the world, you can become a foster parent whenever you’re ready. And you can be a foster parent for more than one shelter, too, if you want. A simple online search should reveal the rescues in your area so you can contact them to find out what steps you need to take to sign on and help.

Lisa Selvaggio
Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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