If you want to make a difference and save a life,
join our Kitten Fostering Program
Tri-Valley Animal Rescue (TVAR) is in urgent need of temporary foster homes to care for the overload of kittens and moms with kittens until ready for adoption (generally 8 weeks of age and 2 pounds).
What should you know about fostering?
Foster parents love, nurture and socialize
They provide temporary homes for kittens prior to adoption. Kittens are fun, crazy, and loving little creatures that will reward your attention many times over. TVAR pays for all medical and food expenses during the fostering.
Fostering is a great way to volunteer in the community
It is flexible, fun, and rewarding. It’s a great way to enjoy a pet if you cannot make a lifetime commitment. Fostering is excellent for college students or military families. If you’re thinking of a pet but are not sure, fostering is a great way to find out.
Time commitment
Kittens are generally fostered 2 – 6 weeks depending on the age that they come into foster and their specific needs. Frightened kittens or kittens taken away from their mothers at an early age need socialization that requires some extra time. TVAR can work with you to find the kittens that you’ll be best suited to foster.
Skills needed to foster
It’s best to have some knowledge about companion animal behavior and health, but we can provide that training if needed.
Other kitten foster requirements
TVAR provides information necessary to screen all homes that apply for fostering to insure a good experience for both the foster family and the kittens. Also, a bathroom or small quiet room is best for your new foster kitties to adjust to being in a safe and comfy environment.
Your own pets
Your pets will need to be spayed or neutered and up to date on their vaccinations. For the health and well-being of your pets and your foster kittens, the kittens will also need to be kept separate for your kittens for a minimum of two weeks.
Finding forever homes
TVAR asks that fosters attend weekend adoption events at TVAR-sponsored adoption sites. We have 5 sponsored adoption sites.
We occasionally have staff and volunteers available to care for your kittens at an adoption event if you are unable to attend. This is on a case by case basis and should be cleared with the program coordinator in advance of the event.
TVAR posts adoptable kittens with photos on our website when they are available for adoption. Fosters will be asked to send a brief biography and photo of each kitten. TVAR has a dedicated Facebook editor who will post your kittens on TVAR’s Facebook page.
Fosters are encouraged to use their own social media to share available kittens. We suggest posting on Nextdoor, Instagram, Facebook and Craigslist. Sharing photos with friends, family, neighbors and coworkers may help in finding them homes.
New fosters are accompanied by the Coordinator, Adoption Event Assistants and/or other experienced fosters at their first adoption events to help them with the potential adopter interview and adoption processes.
Saying goodbye
Giving up a foster pet can be difficult emotionally. However, knowing you were part of saving a life and helping a kitten get a great start to life and find a loving home is more rewarding than we can describe.
Most of our foster families say the first is the hardest and then you look forward to the excitement of the next animal that needs you.
Some foster homes become permanent homes, and that's OK, too!
Ready to get started?
Click the button below to complete the Kitten Fostering Application today!
If you have any questions, please email: Jeff Lool JLool@tvar.org
Time is critical - Even a few hours makes a difference so please don't wait. The kittens need you!