Fostering kittens, what do I need to know?

[WildFlowerBees]

We have 2 cats so have been told by our local rescue we cannot foster adult cats but we can foster kittens. I'd like to know the ins and outs from someone who's done it/does it regularly.

We have the space we have a room they can be in that's safe etc it's the time and what we should be doing with the etc. I believe the kittens are 8 weeks plus and ready for adoption but they're so full they need fosters whilst a home is found.

I cannot be a foster fail! 🙈

Bumping this because we are looking into it too

We foster kittens and have an elderly grumpy cat who hates them but is works! We foster for a local rescue who only have foster homes. This year kitten season seems to have been going on forever.

Generally it has been really positive- the three we had before most recent attempt were abandoned at 5 weeks on a farm and were incredible purr monsters. They were quickly had the run of the house and slept on my bed (old tabby slept with dd). They just loved humans and have gone to great homes. The last 2 we had were born in rescue and I returned them this morning to my friend (who fostered mum on the day she gave birth and separated after first vaccinations and mum being neutered at around 9 weeks) after 48 hours. We were just all too traumatised.They hated being in a crate when we were out but when let out just hid in the smallest spaces when let loose. Mum was crying for them, they were crying for mum so just friend and just agreed they go back for now.

The other thing as a foster parent- you will have a little group and their photos will be out there with a little biography often people will just take one. You feel a bit crap breaking up a sibling group but usually it is okay. When we have had 3- putting one in the carrier feels awful- by the time we get back the other two are just fine.

A key thing to remember with fostering kittens is the moment it starts to feel tricky you send ALL the kittens to me.

The moment.

That they will be your lord and master. End of. Not open to discussion.

This is when I like to get foster kittens "bomb proof" I spend lots of time socialising them and getting them used to everything from nail clipping to the noise of vacuuming. Skittish kittens are harder to rehome in my experience so I work really hard to make them into brave little monsters 😹

DD1 fosters and has cats.

She keeps her existing cats separated from the kittens for a day or two. She has a big pack n play to keep the kittens in when they first arrive and to keep her other cats from aggressive investigation after they've been introduced. They usually venture out of that in a few days.

Kitten litter box should have low sides, kitten food and water should be kept from the other cats, keep potted plants out of their reach (they like to dig and sometimes chew leaves) and make sure your plants are not toxic to cats.

There's a lovely lady on YouTube who has videos all about this.
https://www.youtube.com/c/KittenLady

She has tips on everything to do with fostering kittens!

The Kitten Lady on YouTube