Fostering kittens is a great thing to do.The local animal shelter may have small kittens in need of temporary homes before they're old enough to be adopted.There are rescue organizations in your area that need help with kittens.It takes time, effort, and motivation, as well as the strength to let the cats go to their forever homes eventually.It will be worth it when you see your kittens happy in their new homes.
Step 1: There is a room for the kittens.
The kittens will need a separate room to live in.This should be a place where they feel safe.To create a natural light cycle, keep it dark during the day and light at night.It should not be in your home with any other pets.When you accept kittens, you may need to care for the mother cat as well.Bringing the cats in your home should be kept in mind.The cat needs food, bedding, and care.If you can't keep the kittens away from other pets, then you should probably not be fostering them.
Step 2: The cats' room is Kitten-proof.
Things that could be dangerous to small kittens are taken out of the room.It's a good idea to move out desks, chairs, shelves, and bookshelves if the room is disorganized.If you care about the kittens, you should move out.It's not fun to spend your time trying to get the kitten out of under furniture, so consider moving out beds or other furniture that makes hiding easy for kittens.All things small, such as hair clips, ties, small toys, beads, should be thrown away.The electrical wires should be moved out of the kitten's reach.If you leave something in a room with a toddler, you shouldn't leave it in the kitten room.
Step 3: Provide the kitten with a bed.
You will want to have a bed for the kittens to sleep in, as well as a place where the mother can nurse them.It should have a top.It should be covered with towels, blankets, and other soft stuff.If it gets dirty, make sure everything you use is laundered.You will need to wash their bedding often because the kittens will have accidents.
Step 4: Give food and water.
If the kittens are old enough to eat on their own, place food and water bowls near the bed.trays are long and shallow containers that are good for a lot of kittens eating at the same time.The kittens will have a hard time getting food and water in bowls that are too deep.You can get bottles and milk formula at your local pet store or online, if the kittens need to be bottle fed.
Step 5: The kittens should be given some toys.
If you want to entertain the kittens, you should get some soft toys and feather chasers.The cat tree can provide hours of fun and a nice place for the cats to relax if the kittens are older.If the kittens are bored, they can get into trouble if they are given toys.
Step 6: Training pads and a litter box are needed.
If the kittens are not litter-trained, you will want to get training pads.You can spread them all over the bed.You will need a litter box as well.The kittens can easily access it if the sides are open.
Step 7: You can contact the shelter.
Fostering opportunities for members of the community are provided by almost all shelters.Before you can foster, you need to be approved by the shelter and fill out all the necessary paperwork.kitten season is the best time to find a fostering opportunity.Most kittens are born at this time and end up at an animal shelter.The shelters are often overcrowded with newborn kittens, and could use your help.Verification that you are at least 18 years old, have space for a kitten, and can pass a criminal background check are required by most shelters.
Step 8: Go to a training session.
If you want to learn how to take care of the kittens, you need to attend a training session.If you are going to foster kittens with special needs, this training is important.It may take a while before you get your first kittens to foster after you have done your training.It depends on the needs of the shelter at the time.
Step 9: Decide what kind of kittens you want to care for.
The shelter has different types of kittens.There are two types of foster kittens: kittens with a mother cat and orphans.It can be difficult to care for young kittens less than three weeks of age.It's easier to care for kittens with a mother.You will also be taking in the mother cat if you foster a kitten that has a mother.The mother cat will do most of the work, including nursing, cleaning, keeping the kitten warm, feeding, and stimulating the kittens' bowels.If you are fostering for the first time, you should ask the shelter for kittens that have a mother.kittens face a higher risk of dying and becoming ill if they don't have a mother.
Step 10: The kittens need to be brought home.
You should never have kittens in your car if you bring a pet carrier or get one at the shelter.To not scare the kittens, roll up the car windows and drive slowly.Take the kittens to a separate room when you get home.Give them time to get used to their environment.Bring some of the kittens' bedding or toys with you when you take them home as this will provide comfort.Before you bring the mother cat and the kittens home, ask the rescue or vet to have them examined for fleas.Before the cats enter your home, try to have the fleas treated.
Step 11: The mother can care for herself.
Let the mom take care of the kittens if they are still nursing.You don't need to clean them because she will feed them.You need to keep a close eye on them in order to make sure they get enough milk and attention.If there is a runt in the litter, make sure you give that kitten a little extra time with the mother cat alone, without the other kittens competing for food.The mother cat should be eating a lot of food.As long as the kittens are nursing, feed her either dry or wet kitten food.She needs the kitten food to produce milk.
Step 12: A bottlefeed.
Feed the kittens every two to three hours if they are still bottle feeding.Warm the formula to 99–101 F.Wrap the kitten in a towel and feed it until it is full.You should be given clear instructions by the employees at the shelter or rescue.The kittens should not be fed cow milk.Give them a special formula.You can buy it at a store.Even in the middle of the night, very young kittens will need feedings every 2 to 3 hours.If you mix enough formula for the kitten, you need to keep it refrigerated.You should only heat as much as you need for one feeding.It can be hard to bottle feed a kitten.Make sure that the nipple of the bottle is big enough to hold the drops of milk.You can call for help if all else fails.
Step 13: The kittens should be defecated and urinated upon feeding.
If the kittens you are fostering are very young, you may need to help them with their digestion.After each feeding, wet a cotton ball with warm water and massage the kitten's rectum.The cotton ball can be rubbed over the kitten's genitals.This is important for the kitten's growth.The process is similar to what the mother would do with her tongue.
Step 14: The kittens are put onto solid food.
The kittens should be transitioned onto solid food when they are about 5 or 6 weeks old.You may want to start by giving them wet kitten food and then give them dry food.Slowly adding pebbles of dry food to the wet food increases it as they age.It's good if the kittens are eating on their own.Feed them three times a day.Cats need as many calories as they can get.
Step 15: If there isn't a mother cat, clean.
The kittens can't regulate their own temperature.If there is no mother cat, it will be your job to make sure the kittens are clean, dry, and warm.There should be no food or feces on the kitten's fur.Pets can benefit from a heating pad that is specifically made for them.Put the heating pad under the blankets and warm half of the nest.If the kitten gets too warm, this will allow them to go to the cooler corner.Do not use a heating pad that is made for humans.
Step 16: The kittens have to be litter-trained.
After every feeding, to do this.The kitten should be placed in the litter box.It should do its job.Pick up the kitten as soon as possible and put it in the litter box.The kitten should learn how to use it.The litter box is a good place for kittens to learn how to use it.The litter box should not be near their food.After the kitten uses the litter box, praise it.The litter box needs to be cleaned at least three times a day.Clay litter can't be easily eaten, so use it instead of other types of litter.
Step 17: Every day, you should spend time with the kittens.
Pick up the kittens and make sure you hold them frequently.It's a good idea to play with the kittens a lot.The more time you spend with them, the better they will be to you.The best part of fostering is spending time with the kittens.Touch their paws a lot, as they will need to be comfortable with it in the future to have their nails clipped.
Step 18: Keep your hands clean.
You should wash your hands after handling kittens in order to protect them from disease.A kitten's immune system is still developing, so you need to protect it.You want to make sure the kittens don't bring diseases with them to your existing pets.
Step 19: The kittens should be watched for signs of illness.
When kittens are placed in your care, they will appear healthy, but it is possible for illnesses to develop.Look for lethargy, fur loss, breathing problems, diarrhea, scratching, vomiting, discharge, or lack of appetite in the kittens.Call the vet if the symptoms persist.If the kittens have goop coming from their eyes or nose, call the vet or go to the animal shelter to have the kitten looked at.You will be asked to give the kitten medication until the goop is over.
Step 20: The kittens need to be taken to the vet.
If you sign on to foster kittens, you will need to agree to take them to a variety of veterinary appointments.Signing them up for spaying or neutering is a part of this.Depending on their health and what veterinary procedures have been done on them before you took them in, there may be other veterinary appointments for the kittens.You will need to get them a variety of vaccinations and have their general health assessed by a vet.
Step 21: Allow the kittens to leave for a while.
Once the kittens are seven or eight weeks old and have been at your house for at least a few weeks, start to let them leave the room for short periods of time.If you have other animals, they should always be accompanied by you.The kittens should not be forced to interact with other cats or dogs as this can result in injury and fear.All doors should be closed and the kittens supervised.
Step 22: If you can, take photos and videos of kittens.
When kittens are up for adoption, your shelter will appreciate cute photos and videos being supplied.They can post them on the internet.You can email the pictures.You can include a small bio of each kitten.It is helpful for adoptive families to have a general summary of their personality.
Step 23: When the time is right, take the kittens back to the shelter.
The hardest part of fostering is when you have grown close to the kittens you are fostering.Thanks to your help, this animal will have a great new home and wonderful life.If you want to, you can ask your shelter if they would let you know when the kittens are adopted and if you would like to keep in contact.