If fostering with Cats Cradle isn't your thing right now, do you still want to stay in touch?

Yes! Add me to your mailing list, and I might check out your Adoption Page and Cat Shop. I may even tell my friends about you.

No, sorry, this isn't for me, but I might check back in another time. Good Luck!

Name *

First Name

Last Name

Phone *

(###)

###

####

Do you have, or can you get the equipment you need to foster?

To be ready to foster, you will need to have a collection of stuff on hand. We can help you with this list, but if you are able to provide any supplies, it would be greatly appreciated. Some fosters slowly collect the reusable stuff (knowing everything needs to be sterilized between foster sessions) and count on us for some or all of the consumables. But being ready to go on short notice would be fantastic.

Litter boxes, at least two (Dollar store roasting pans work, as do the cardboard trays from canned kitten food)

Old towels or kitty beds

Microwaveable Heaters for younger kittens

Scratching Posts (horizontal and vertical, cardboard is fine, carpet and jute is also good)

Toys, including small easy to carry ones like springs, foil balls and a wand toy

Shallow food and water dishes

Kitty Litter (Yesterday's News for kittens under 6 weeks)

KMR (formula, either powder or canned, for bottle feeding if necessary or for mixing wet food into a thinner consistency)

Canned kitten food

Dry kitten kibble

Gloves, cleaning supplies, bags for litter box cleanups

We would like to know what you think your best fostering fit would be.

We can't predict what needs will come our way, but we want to make sure we carefully match our fosters with the scenario with the best chance of success. Please check the boxes you know you can handle, and the ones that might be a bit of a stretch, but still doable under the right circumstances. We will always try to keep kittens in their foster home from intake to adoption, but will also commit to making moves when necessary.

Pregnant Mama, you are comfortable with her giving birth in your home.

A mama with her babies. Mama will cover the basics, but you may need to step in for additional feedings. You will support through weaning, learning to lap wet food and crunch dry food, supervising good litter box habits, making sure mama feels loved...

Orphaned neonates (under 4 weeks) needing frequent bottle feeds, including through the night, help with potty time. You are the new mama!

Bigger Babies (4-8 weeks) encouraging good litter habits, transitional feeding (formula to wet food to dry food), lots of play and cuddles and making sure everyone is hitting their developmental milestones!

Spicy Babies! (6+ weeks) One or two kittens who came from scary circumstances with unsocialized mamas. They need lots of one on one time to develop trust in humans, as well as all the regular kitten needs.

Lanky Tweens and Teens (8+ weeks, in need of lots of play, and a foster home great at telling their story to get them into a permanent home already!!)

Mama cats recovering from spays, they are grownups who know how to use the litter box and eat well, but need a gentle home with lots of TLC before finding their own forever homes.

All of the boxes need to be checked to be considered for a fostering role with Cats Cradle Toronto. *

The list below might seem like too much too fast, but your time is valuable, as is ours. If a fostering relationship isn't right for us, we should figure that out sooner rather than later so we can still work within the greater rescue community to which we are both committed without issue. There are so many volunteer options and Cats Cradle Toronto is just one!

I understand that all cats and kittens placed in my home remain the property (necessary but regrettable word, we know) of Cats Cradle Toronto and can be removed from my care at Cats Cradle Toronto's discretion.

I understand that Cats Cradle Toronto representatives may ask to see my kitten care setup in person. I will work with them to schedule a mutually convenient time. If we are repeatedly unable to come up with a meeting that suits both of us, my foster kittens will be removed from my home at the discretion of Cats Cradle Toronto, as it will be clear to both of us that we aren't able to work together effectively.

I trust, that if for any reason, I am no longer able to provide a foster home for my foster cat/kittens, Cats Cradle Toronto will make arrangements, as quickly as reasonably possible, to transfer my charges to another foster home.

I will let Cats Cradle Toronto know if I am away for a short period of time and someone else is taking primary care of my fosters in my own home. I will make sure they know what to do, and run the plan by Cats Cradle Toronto well BEFORE I travel.

I acknowledge that all equipment and supplies remain the property of Cats Cradle Toronto and must be returned to Cats Cradle Toronto at their request, either at the end of a foster period or when I no longer foster with the organization

I understand that if I am approved as a foster, I will be representing Cats Cradle Toronto and will always do so with as much grace and generosity as I can muster, even if things become stressful. I will deal with any issues that may arise within the rescue, trusting that Cats Cradle will do its best to resolve the issue and find a way forward that works for both of us. I will not take it to social media, knowing that if I do, Cats Cradle may choose to weigh in with their own perspective. Let's just not.

I understand that Cats Cradle Toronto will make all adoption placement decisions, but that I am always welcome and encouraged to act as a reference for a friend or acquaintance.

I might fall in love with one of my fosters and want to adopt. I may put in an application, but understand that Cats Cradle Toronto will make decisions in the best interest of the cat or kitten(s), even if it disappoints me. I also understand that I can't assume or even hope that adoption fees will be reduced or waived. Once again, decisions will be made by Cats Cradle.

I understand that in fostering kittens, I may be bringing pestilence and plague into my home in the form of fleas, worms, bacteria, viruses and general nastiness and I therefore also understand that it is my own responsibility to make sure other pets in my home are suitably protected by current and adequate vaccinations (and I will offer proof!), and that I will keep things clean enough so as not to allow for the spread of the nastiness.

I understand that kittens, cute as they are, are sharp toothed, razor clawed little rascals who may take a swipe or a chomp at me. I will be mature about it, clean my wounds properly and make a safer contact plan with my foster babies.

I know a Mama cat can be as fierce as my own mother in protecting offspring and will approach her accordingly if she is staying in my home with her kittens. I will do what I can to build trust not stress her out, even while I work to socialize her kittens. I will remember that she needs kind words, cuddles (if she is into that), a chance to play and a safe retreat. (This is the only box you may leave un-checked if you are confident you will not ever be in a position to foster a Mama/babies grouping).

I understand that kittens and cats are climbers, jumpers, scratchers and wiley hiders. I understand that my home may take a bit of a beating if I don't secure things properly and supervise my fosters carefully.

After reading the points above, especially the last four, I still want to foster for Cats Cradle Toronto, AND I agree to not hold them responsible in any way for any harm I, my pets or my home may suffer as a Cats Cradle Foster provider. Seriously, I get that this is a key to this volunteer opportunity.