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BE A FOSTER PARENT
Help us give a cat a chance to find a loving, permanent home. As a foster
parent, you give care and comfort to a needy cat or kitten during a
sometimes frightening and traumatic transitional time.
BECOMING A FOSTER PARENT WITH THE CAT
NETWORK
Here's
how our foster parents program works:
Foster
parents are informed of the cats/kittens in need of a foster home and may
choose their designated foster cat(s). To ensure that we maintain a
disease-negative population, Cat Network foster parents agree that they will
not foster for another feline group.
Foster
parents have the final say about adoptions UNLESS the Cat Network group
believes that the proposed adoptee home does not meet organizational
standards.
Adoption days are usually on Saturdays at the Petco in Ballwin.
There
is a written medical protocol: All animals are spayed and neutered except
kittens that are too young. In this case, the adopter is given a spay/neuter
coupon, which must be used within the first 6 to 8 months after adoption.
All cats are combo-tested, and receive shots. Cat
Network cats are de-wormed and micro-chipped, and given an overall exam.
They are not put up for adoption until a vet says they are healthy. A
written medical record comes with the adoption of our cats stating any
health or diet problems. The adopter must verify he has read the medical
records.
We have
approximately 12 veterinary partners. Most fosters select to use the Cat
Network vet closest to their home. When appointed your foster cat, you may
select the Network vet you want to use. We call that vet to verify your
status as a foster parent and from then on, you make your own appointments.
Foster
homes usually provide their own transportation to and from adoption days and
veterinary visits. Most foster parents stay to interview prospective
adopters, as they know the cat’s habits and personality better than anyone
else. In the event you must leave town for an extended period of time, a few
foster parents arrange to have another Cat Network volunteer care for their
kitties. Finally, in the event that some foster parents don't drive, other
volunteers will try to arrange their cats' transportation to vets.
Click here for a foster application
“If man could be crossed
with the cat it would improve the man, but it would deteriorate the cat."
--Mark Twain |
