Every Cat Counts

Feline Adoption & Rescue Society
P.O. Box 2163
Natick, MA 01760
(508)838-7956
info@felineadoptions.org

Providing temporary homes for needy cats and kittens is a very important volunteer service. We can save many more lives when we have foster homes available. All veterinary care, food and supplies are paid for by FARS.

Our foster needs vary at different times of the year. For example, in the spring, summer and autumn months we need foster homes for litters of kittens and nursing mother cats. At most times of the year we need foster homes for cats who are ill, typically from an upper respiratory infection (a "cat cold"). We also need foster homes who can provide specialized or extra care for cats who have chronic medical conditions, are too frightened to thrive in our shelter, or who need hospice. Sometimes we simply need space for a healthy adult cat who needs a break from shelter life or when all of our shelter cages are full.

We try to match the interests of our foster caregivers with the needs of the cats. Some situations require temporary care (as short of a time period as overnight), and others, such as with cats who have chronic medical conditions, the foster period can be long-term.

To help us determine what type of fostering is best suited for your home, interest and level of experience, we will ask you to complete our Foster Care Application.

FARS Foster Care Program guidelines help us manage our commitment of resources, including volunteers, veterinary budget and adoption center space. Once you become an approved Foster Caregiver, we will provide you with a complete set of Foster Care Program guidelines as well information to support you in caring for your foster cat/s or kitten/s.

Program Guidelines

Before committing to be a Foster Caregiver, it is important to understand the following FARS policies:

• All cats/kittens in foster care are considered to be in the custody of and the property of FARS. They may be seen by one of our participating veterinarians upon admission into the FARS system, or as soon as necessary after admission.
• No cat/kitten is considered a FARS foster until it is reported to and approved by the Foster Coordinator or Executive Director. Unless approved, FARS will not assume financial responsibility for related costs.
• To prevent inadvertently spreading any disease or parasites, foster kitties MUST be housed separately from resident pets at all times! If you are fostering multiple litters, they must be housed in separate rooms / cages and should not have any contact with each other.
• If casual contact results in an illness being transmitted to resident pets, FARS will not assume responsibility for related costs or treatments.
• FARS will provide all basic supplies for our foster homes including food, litter, bedding, crates (when necessary), carriers and toys. Because we do not have a central shelter or supply area, arrangement for supplies must be made with the Foster Care Coordinator or Executive Director.
• Resident cats must have a negative recent FeLV/FIV test and must be indoor cats (unless fostering FeLV or FIV positive cats) by a veterinarian prior to taking in foster cats or kittens.
• All adoptions are processed through FARS with no exceptions. Only approved adopters will be sent to foster homes for potential adoptions. Please contact us with any questions regarding potential adoptive families or adoption policies.
• If you and your family are contemplating making a foster kitty a permanent member of your home, you must notify us immediately to avoid disappointment for potential adopters, or yourselves. Once a potential adopter has selected an appropriate kitty, or a “Hold” has been placed on a kitty, we will not ask them to give up their choice because the foster family has become too attached. We will gladly, on advance request, give any foster provider a little extra decision making time before sending potential adopters to see the kitty.
• Current adoption fees apply to all adopters including foster care providers:

For additional information please contact us at: info@felineadoptions.org