How To Be A Fabulous Feline Foster Carer
Photo by Robert Nagy from Pexels
With so many more of us working from home due to Covid 19, there has never been a better time to help out your local animal shelter by fostering cats and kittens in order to get them ready for their ‘forever homes’. But what exactly does this involve? Experienced foster carer with the WLPA in Sydney, Ann Smith, answered some common questions:
*’Socialising’ refers to the process of getting cats and kittens that are unused to human environments familiar with the delights of being played with, patted and cuddled, along with getting them accustomed to human activities such as the sounds of household appliances and human voices. Cats rescued from abusive situations often need to learn that they can trust (nice) humans again.
HOW DID YOU BECOME A CAT FOSTER CARER?
I became a foster carer after the death of my mother. I wanted something to fill the huge void. I had always loved animals in general and cats in particular. I met Halina Thompson, President of WLPA, and she suggested that I could help the organisation by fostering kittens. I have been fostering for five years.
Imagine this little sweetheart in your home.
WHAT DOES FOSTERING A CAT INVOLVE?
Fostering is a very worthwhile activity. It involves taking the rescue kittens or cats and socialising them in your home for varying amounts of time. The main aim is to ensure that the rescue kittens and cats are totally socialised and are ready for life in their new homes with their forever families. Depending on the kitten or cat, this usually takes between 4-6 weeks after which time the foster carer will be proactive in finding homes for them, with lots of help from WLPA.
WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST REWARDING ABOUT FOSTER CARE?
The most rewarding part of the whole fostering process is to see rescue kittens and cats, who usually arrive in a poor condition, both mentally and physically, 'blossom forth' and become socialised loving family pets. It is wonderful to see them adopted by people who will love them and take care of them for the rest of their lives.
SOME PEOPLE SAY THEY COULDN’T DO FOSTER CARE BECAUSE THEY WOULD WANT TO KEEP EVERY ANIMAL. WHAT ARE YOU THOUGHTS ON THAT?
It is often hard to part with foster kittens and cats, especially the ones who have had a difficult time prior to coming into foster care and who have taken a while to socialise. These are the ones that stay in one's heart and mind. However, it is not possible to keep every kitten or cat and it is so wonderful to see them go to loving homes. This is total joy for the foster carer and a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. Also, it is heart-warming to see how many folks keep in touch and send photos of their much loved feline friends.
Peek-a-boo!
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE/TIPS FOR SOMEONE CONSIDERING BECOMING A FOSTER CARER?
Definitely give it a go. It is so worthwhile and brings so much joy to the carer and hopefully to the cat! It is simple if you have no pets, but it may take a while for any resident pet to welcome interlopers into their domain. Our cat Milly is a gorgeous girl and she makes kittens in particular feel welcome. However, some other cats are not so accommodating, so it’s best to check this out before agreeing to foster. Also if you are living in rented accommodation you will need your landlord's permission to have an animal on the property.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE STORY ABOUT A KITTY YOU HAVE CARED FOR?
Recently, I fostered four tiny kittens that had been found in a garden. They were just three weeks old and had been abandoned. They were discovered by the lady living in the neighbouring property and handed in to the office at the WLPA. I fostered the kittens for 6 weeks and then two of them, Daisy and Lucky, went on The Morning Show on 7 with Belinda Alexandra when she was being interviewed about her book The Divine Feline: A Chic Cat Lady’s Guide to Woman’s Best Friend.
All four kittens have now found wonderful homes in the lap of luxury on the leafy North Shore. A true rags to riches story!
If you are interested in becoming a foster carer for the WLPA Sydney Cat Adoption Centre, please call Halina Thompson on 0407 456 683.
For further information go to: www.wlpa.org
*A note from Belinda – some people are under the impression that they are going to end up with twenty cats if they volunteer to foster care. One of the good things about Ann is that she knows she can only manage a few animals at a time with her other family commitments and she is clear on her limits. Your limit might be one cat at a time. And that’s okay. Every cat you take extremely good care of in foster care is contributing positively and lightening the load for other foster carers who might be in a position to take more. See The Divine Feline: A Chic Cat Lady’s Guide to Woman’s Best Friend, pages p158-160 for more information on how to be a good volunteer.
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