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Foster FAQs

  • How to start fostering?
    Get in touch, and be sure to fill out our foster carer application form. You can find this form on the Foster Carer page of our website. Once you have advised that you are able to foster a cat or kittens, we will speak with you about the cats we have available for fostering, and decide who will suit you best. We will provide some of the supplies needed for the duration of the care and let you know the date, time and location for where to pick up your foster cat. To be a foster carer with Strong Hearts Cat Rescue, we do need you to be an active member on our Facebook Messenger group, so we can easily get in touch, send photos, and get updates.
  • Ways you can help
    Strong communication with core team members on health, weight, concerns and if you need support Looking for fantastic photo opportunities and forwarding them on to assist with adoption process (cuter the photo easier to rehome) Ensure your foster cannot escape. Cats can escape through fly screen - please ensure all windows are secure and fly screen not accessible Please use this website to ensure that you do not expose your fosters to anything toxic in your household (especially some indoor plants and household chemicals) CAT POISONS
  • Types of foster cats
    We rescue a wide range of cats and kittens, and it is important to choose the right fit for you and your situation: - Kittens - Spicy cats who need rehabilitation (you will be provided additional support and a care plan to follow) - Adults - Neonatal - Injured and/or sick You will have direct contact with our foster coordinators & within a support group chat where we have qualified and experienced team members who can help to answer any questions. This is a supportive and non-judgmental group of animal lovers who appreciate you and are there to help. We can usually give you an estimated timeline of how long a cat or kittens will be in your care, with the exception of behavioural or palliative, but also even with kittens circumstances can change with illness, infections and so on. If you are no longer able to continue to foster, let us know as soon as possible and we can source out another carer.
  • Supplies you will need to foster
    We are a rescue made up of volunteers, and rely on donations and adoption fees. Where possible, we are able to supply some of the following, including food if necessary: - Bedding - Toys - Enclosed cat carrier - Kitty litter tray / kitty litter - the crystals can be toxic to kittens if they eat them so please avoid them - We highly suggest using a crate or tent if fostering scared, shut down or small kittens
  • 14 Day Isolation
    This is one of the most important questions we ask of you. We are a rescue group, so the cats and kittens we take in will need a period of 14 days in isolation, especially if you have existing cats/pets. During the 14 day isolation period, your foster cat/kittens will need to be isolated from your household pets, furniture and carpets (if possible). This can take place in a spare room, a laundry or bathroom. The two most common diseases in rescue are ringworm and cat flu. Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection which starts as hair loss, often in a circular pattern, it then becomes crusty (often on the face and/or tail but can be elsewhere on the body). Cat flu - symptoms are watery eyes, sneezing and/or nasal discharge. If you notice any of these symptoms please contact your foster care coordinator or let a team member know in the group chat. We try to our very best to reduce the spread of any infections, parasites and/or diseases. ​
  • Food brands that we recommend:
    The cats and kittens we rescue have not always been fed highly nutritious and balanced diets. It is really important to us that they are fed excellent quality food. The following brands provide a balanced diet: Royal Canin Blackhawk Advance Hill's Science Diet We ask you to provide dry food, and where possible, a small amount of wet food for flavour. Remember kittens and cats are carnivores and lactose intolerant - diet can contribute to many health issues such as runny poo, vomiting, being lethargic and weight loss. If you are confused, wondering if something is okay to be feeding your fosters, or noticing any health problems please contact your foster coordinator.
  • Travel
    It is important that you can drive and have access to a car so that you are able to get your foster to vet appointments. Many of the cats and kittens we rescue are not yet desexed, microchipped or vaccinated, so we arrange for these procedures at one of the vets we use that is located closest to you. Desexing appointments are usually an 8-9am drop off, and pick up is usually around 4pm. Your foster cat must be in an enclosed and secure cat carrier whenever leaving your house. Being able to drive is also extremely important in case of an emergency, so you can get to the vet quickly. ​
  • Photographing your fosters
    Look for photo opportunities when possible. A good photo is the difference between a kitten or cat staying in care for weeks! Photos with good lighting that really capture the cuteness, quirks and personality of your foster will really help with their adoption. Video footage is also really useful and engaging for our Social Media channels. Please feel free to share photos and videos in our online foster support group as much as you like!
  • Communication
    Communication is super important when fostering. Questions are fantastic. There is no such thing as a silly question. If you are concerned, have any questions please reach out to your foster coordinator or write it in the support group chat. Each Sunday we will require an update on your foster cat, including photos. This is just so we can ensure everyone is supported and every cat is receiving what they need. It is also a legal obligation. If contact isn’t made on Sunday a core team member will contact you personally.
  • Adoption process
    Once your cat has been fully vetted, we will start the adoption process - we will reach out and ask that you send us all the adorable pictures that you have and a few words explaining the personality and the best suitable home for each individual kitten. They all have their own personalities and requirements and it is crucial we know so that we can find them the perfect match.
  • Meet and Greets
    Using the details and photos you provide we will set up profiles and start looking for suitable and beautiful homes. Once a successful application is submitted a thorough phone interview will take place, if this is successful a coordinator will reach out to you to organise a meet and greet. If the meet and greet goes well the adoption can take place on the day. You will need to tell your coordinator how the meet and greet goes. If successful your coordinator will send through the account details to the adopter and email through all vet paperwork (desexing certificate, vaccination history, microchip details and change of owner forms. Saying goodbye is bittersweet, however it is important to remember that your goodbye is their hello to a long and beautiful life in a loving home, and then you have space to save another life. Adopting saves one life, fostering saves hundreds.
  • Photographing your fosters
    Look for photo opportunities when possible. A good photo is the difference between a kitten or cat staying in care for weeks. Photos with good lighting that really capture the cuteness, quirks and personality of your foster will really help with their adoption.
  • Want to adopt you foster?
    If you do fall completely in love with one of your foster cats please let your coordinator or a team member know as soon as possible. The adoption fee for kittens up to 1 year old is $350, adults over 1 is $200. This is to help go towards vetwork, supplies and the runnings of the rescue. Like you, the entire team is a volunteer run organisation that relies solely on adoption fees and donations to continue saving lives.
  • Which vet do I take my foster to?
    If your cat needs to be desexed, vaccinated, microchipped - or just needs a routine checkup or bloodwork, we will organise for a vet appointment at one of our vets closest to you. You can see the vets we use, and their locations here:
  • 14 Day Isolation
    This is one of the most important questions we ask. We are a rescue group, so the cats and kittens we take in will need a period of 14 days in isolation, especially if you have existing cats/pets. During the 14 day isolation period your foster cat/kittens will be isolated from your household pets, furniture and carpets (if possible). The two most common diseases in rescue are ringworm and cat flu. Ringworm - is a contagious fungal infection which starts as hair loss, often in a circular pattern, it then becomes crusty (often on the face and/or tail but can be elsewhere on the body). Cat flu - symptoms are watery eyes, sneezing and/or nasal discharge. If you notice any of these symptoms please contact your foster care coordinator or let a team member know in the group chat. We try to reduce the spread of any infections, parasites and/or diseases. ​
  • Flea and Worming
    All kittens and cats will be flea/worm treated prior to coming to you. If your foster cat requires further treatment you will be provided with it.
  • Desexing
    Our cats and kittens will be pre booked for desexing as we work on an estimated time from their Sunday weekly weights. Kittens must be 1kg, when 800grams we will look to book them in two weeks time. We work closely with our carers to ensure desex drop off and pick up are convenient, this may not always be possible but we certainly try. Drop off can be arranged between 8-9am the morning of. All cats and kittens must be fasted from 7pm the night before. Pick up is usually between 3:30pm-5pm the same day. The vet team will go through the entire aftercare with you and any questions please do not hesitate to contact a team member. Please also be sure to visit our health care section if you have any queries.
  • Post Surgery
    Cats recover quicker in familiar surroundings plus you carers know these kittens well, you will recognize if something isn’t quite right during their recovery. For the next 24 hours after pickup it is best to keep kittens crated or in a tent, ensure that they are kept quiet (if possible) and alleviate jumping, especially with females. Your cat may return with an elizabethan collar to prevent them from licking their surgival site. Your male kitten will recover quicker than the females. For the next 24-48 hours your kittens/cat may be quiet and a little lethargic - this will be due to the vaccination and anaesthesia , if during this time you are concerned about anything, reach out immediately - concerns including - extremely lethargic, vomiting, diarrhoea, and blood or oozing fluid from scar, any unusual behaviour - we definitely prefer you to be over cautious then under.
  • When to contact us immediately?
    - Vomiting or diarrhoea - Any weight loss - If kitten become lethargic, cool or warm to the touch - Not eating - Not toileting - Any unusual behaviour, anything that concerns you concerns us. It is always best practice to reach out immediately if you have even the slightest of concerns.
  • What to do if you have an emergency?
    Contact a core team member on their mobile number or through the foster facebook chat. If you are unable to get in touch with one of our volunteers, head directly to one of our recommended vets (whichever is closest to you)/ If you cannot get hold of a core team member or Meow vet, and you are experiencing an emergency, please take your foster cat or kitten to your closest emergency vet.
  • My foster has ringworm
    Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection which starts as hair loss, often in a circular pattern, it then becomes crusty (often on the face and/or tail but can be elsewhere on the body). If you have been informed that your foster cat or kitten has ringworm, you will be added to our online ringworm support group, where you will be taught how to treat and prevent the spread of ringworm. It's quite a process, and we are so grateful to you for your help.
  • My foster cat is sneezing
    Cat flu is a very common illness that cats and kittens often obtain from being at the pound. If your cat is sneezing often, has watery eyes, and a runny nose, please get in touch with your foster coordinator so we can provide medication.
  • My foster is vomiting
    Occasional vomiting of food or hair is normal. Repeated vomiting may indicate that something is seriously wrong. If your cat continues to eat and drink, as well as use the litter box, contact your veterinarian to discuss his symptoms. However, if your cat stops eating, drinking, and urinating, it should be considered a medical emergency.
  • My foster is lethargic and fatigued
    Many cats are naturally low energy, but if your cat suddenly becomes entirely sedentary, does not work up enthusiasm for things she normally enjoys, and even goes off by herself to sleep in strange areas, something could be seriously wrong. Please advise us immediately if you notice a change in energy and behaviour. After desexing and vaccinations, your foster may show normal levels of lethargy and fatigue, but if this continues after several days, please let us know.
  • My foster has eaten something toxic
    If you know your cat has eaten something toxic, take him to the emergency vet without waiting for signs of poisoning. If you are unsure if it is poisonous, please get in touch with us via the foster chat group. No question is a silly question!!
  • When to contact us immediately?
    - Vomiting or diarrhoea - Any weight loss - If kitten become lethargic, cool or warm to the touch - Not eating - Not toileting - Any unusual behaviour, anything that concerns you concerns us. It is always best practice to reach out immediately if you have even the slightest of concerns.
  • What to do if you have an emergency?
    Contact a core team member on their mobile number or through the foster facebook chat. If you are unable to get in touch with one of our volunteers, head directly to one of our recommended vets (whichever is closest to you)/ If you cannot get hold of a core team member or Meow vet, and you are experiencing an emergency, please take your foster cat or kitten to your closest emergency vet.

Foster caring is so important to our organisation, and we are so grateful to all our beautiful foster carers. There's a fair bit of information to cover, so we have created a Frequently Asked Questions page, with several different categories, including General FAQs about fostering, Adoption FAQs, Medical FAQs, and Emergency FAQs.

Please be sure to read through these before fostering.

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