Common Questions from Our Community

1. Submit a foster application (/blank-5)and tell us about your family, home environment and lifestyle. 2. We'll review your application and contact you for a chat about our needs and your ability. 3. We'll visit your home to make sure you're ready to welcome one of our rescued cats or kittens. 4. From there you'll be matched with a cat who needs some temporary tender loving care.

Fosters must be at least 18 years old, have a secure indoor environment, and be able to provide transportation to veterinary appointments when necessary. We provide all supplies and medical care.

All our cats’ needs are different. Some cats need a foster home with no other pets, while others are okay in a home with another pet. Some cats need a quiet home with no kids, while others benefit from a home with children to play with them. Our most successful foster homes have a guest room or office the cat can use to help them settle in.

Victoria Cat Rescue provides all food, litter and essentials at no cost to the foster family. We will provide all the food you need to look after your foster cats or kittens, as well as litter and other basic supplies. We try to provide a consistent diet to avoid gastrointestinal issues for the cats.

Veterinary bills and any medical expenses are covered by Victoria Cat Rescue thanks to donations and fundraising initiatives. Ideally you willl be available to safely transport your foster cat or kitten to and from the clinic.

The short answer is yes. The longer answer is a question. Are you able to separate the foster cat or kitten from your own animals? Having a quiet, separate room for your new foster cat is critical in the first weeks they are in your home. Your pet may get a little upset at the foster animal's arrival. Isolating your foster from your pets until they get used to one another keeps everyone safe and also prevents the potential transmission of disease. In truth, your pet may be a great help! If your foster animal is shy, your pets may be able to model good behaviour and help your foster animal to socialize. It's also a good idea to make sure your pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations.

That depends on who you foster. Newborn orphaned kittens, for example, require feeding every few hours and a shy cat might need extra socialization time. You can discuss your time availability with us to determine what type of cat or kitten you’ll be best suited to foster.

Potential adopters are screened by Victoria Cat Rescue. Upon approval, they are put in contact directly with fosters. Foster homes should be willing to accommodate potential adopters, as they are encouraged to meet the foster animal in the foster home.

Foster homes are crucial for the our work; however, the time it takes for a cat or kitten to be adopted can vary greatly. Sometimes an animal will be adopted within a matter of weeks, and sometimes it takes several months. All the while, our foster families have the full support of dedicated Victoria Cat Rescue volunteers.

No, but Victoria Cat Rescue asks that fosters provide photos and some notes about the cat or kitten's personality for promotion on our website and social media. Victoria Cat Rescue frequently participates in adoption events, and we often ask foster families to bring their foster animals to the events. Since you’ve been taking care of the foster pet in your home, you are an invaluable resource for potential adopters because you can give them firsthand insight into your foster animal’s personality, likes and dislikes, and fun quirks. Also, we'd love it if you used your social circle to let friends and family know you have a wonderful pet available for adoption.

Wonderful news! We love it when that happens! If you want to adopt one of your fosters, you are welcome to apply. Preference is given to our foster homes, but we will still verify all information to make sure it’s a good lifetime fit for the cat or kitten. The standard adoption fee still applies.

​Foster homes are a lifesaving bridge for homeless animals, giving them an opportunity to experience life in a house and to learn that people can be kind, food is available, and there is a warm, secure place to sleep. When your foster cat goes to his or her permanent home, chances are they'll adjust more easily than if they hadn’t spent time in a foster home.