Fostering

New Beginnings Cat Rescue (NBCR) relies on foster homes to shelter and care for cats and kittens awaiting adoption.  Therefore, we have a continual need for caring foster families.

If you are interested in opening your home to one or more of our cats in need, please download, complete, and submit our Foster Application (to be posted here soon). If you have any questions or concerns, please send an email to our Intake Coordinator.

Foster Family Responsibilities

	Provide safe, clean, warm, indoor housing and care for cat(s) or kitten(s).
	Provide clean bedding.
	Provide high-quality food and kitty litter.
	Provide toys.
	Provide transportation to and from the Adoption Center or veterinarian as needed.
	Keep all foster cats and kittens indoors at all times.
	Foster for only one rescue group at a time.
	Communicate with NBCR regarding the care or health condition of cats and kittens in foster care.
	Provide love, attention, and interactivity to prepare them for a successful adoption.

NBCR Responsibilities

	Provide support and answer questions.
	Provide vaccinations, worming medication, and any other necessary medication.
	Authorize veterinary care, when deemed necessary.

Time Required

Depending on the age of the kittens or illness/injury of an adult, the fostering time commitment can range from a few weeks to a few months.  Sometimes fosters are healthy and ready for adoption, but there is no space available at the Adoption Center. We ask that foster parents be patient, especially during summer and fall months of "kitten season."

Foster cats/kittens may remain in foster care until they meet the following criteria:

	They are approximately 12 weeks old and weigh at least 2 pounds. This age can vary a great deal from one kitten to another, but we want them large enough to be adopted safely.
	They are tame, social, healthy, and have completed a 10-day quarantine.
	They have had all their vaccinations and appropriate tests and been spayed or neutered, if needed.
	There is space for them at the Adoption Center.

Foster Accommodations

All fosters must be kept indoors and separate from your pets. A cat/kitten-proofed extra bedroom, bathroom, or laundry room are ideal. New animals brought into your home should be isolated from other household pets.  Please understand that whenever you expose your personal pet to a foster cat or kitten, there is a risk of illness or infection. Wash your hands after handling your foster cat/kittens. If your fosters have a contagious condition, you might also want to wear a long-sleeved shirt while handling the fosters, then take it off prior to having any interaction with your own pets. Your pets should be current on all vaccinations for their own protection. NBCR is not legally or financially able to provide medications or treatment for any cats or kittens except those belonging to NBCR.

Adoption Facilitation

Foster volunteers are our best source of information about the cats/kittens in their care. As a foster volunteer, any information you can provide will help ensure a successful adoption. If you would like to adopt a foster cat/kitten in your care, you must qualify as an approved adopter.  If you know someone who would like to adopt one of your foster cats or kittens, the prospective adopter must go through the routine adoption procedure and pay the normal adoption fee. All adoptions must be approved by a qualified NBCR adoption counselor and cats and kittens should not be promised to interested adopters unless and until an approved adoption application is on file at NBCR.