As a foster, it’s your responsibility to ensure your kitten is ready for adoption, prior to giving them away. Whether you’re a frequent rescuer or it’s an unexpected responsibility that appeared at your doorstep, it’s important to remember that rushing this process may very well endanger the kitten’s life. You hold the stakes to their survival. You should know to prioritise their life, health and safety above getting rid of them as soon as the opportunity arises.

Kittens are very fragile creatures, and so given each categorized situation, there are set ideal ways to go about adoption. However, in a nutshell, they are ready for adoption when they:

• have passed the minimum of 8 weeks,

• are able to eat solid food without any difficulty,

• are litter trained,

• can socialize, and

• are independent.

First order of business with any rescue is to take them to the vet immediately, and deworm and vaccinate them [Refer to Feline Vaccines]. There, you can get an estimate of the kitten’s age and gender confirmation. It’s also advisable to get a blood checkup to screen and detect for any illnesses straightaway. 

Note that kittens tend to drink milk till the age of 6-8 weeks and that solid foods, starting from wet foods, should be introduced to their diet from 4 weeks. Avoid rice, cow milk, spices, desserts and fried foods. During this time, litter train them and daily maintain the litter box in a hygienic manner [Refer to Litter Training A Newborn].

It is advised to give them calcium, multivitamin & coat supplements to further their health. Beaphar Cat Junior Paste, Multivitamin Paste & Salmon Oil Paste are highly recommended.

In the case of a lone kitten, it’s relatively simpler. If they are younger than 4 weeks, it's crucial to attentively feed them goat milk [Refer to How To Feed A Newborn] and guide the weaning process [Refer to How To Wean A Newborn].

Although most fosters attempt to give away once they are 6 weeks and weaned, it’s advisable to keep them for 8 weeks. Any sooner and it’s likely that in inexperienced hands, they will tragically pass away within days. And so, it’s your responsibility to ensure your kitten has grown independent and big enough, and is ready for adoption.

In the case of a mother cat and kittens, it’s vital that they remain together in the beginning. The primary reason being that they are dependent on them for milk and nutrients, which play a big role for their health in avoiding problems later on in their life. When kittens are separated from their mother before 6-8 weeks, it carries risks such as; 

• Underdeveloped eyesight and body development. 

• Delay in life skills, not knowing how to groom themselves or not knowing to cover their waste.

• Not having the social skills needed to interact with other cats, animals and people, resulting in a more feral and aggressive cat.

In the case of a litter without a mother, it’s essential to keep them together till they are 8 weeks of age. During this time, they pick up valuable life and social skills which will develop them into desirable traits, making it less likely that they will be returned.

Although some kittens may appear to be attached to one another, understand that they are only build to be so during their first few weeks. The odds that you'll find a home willing to adopt together are rather low. Don't dismiss adoption opportunities over such expectations.

When it’s time for adoption, remember to not get attached. It may be tempting to want to keep them, but think long term. Can you sustain them? They too will get attached the longer they remain with you. Not to mention, homes prefer young kittens. And so, it’s important to give them away during what I call ‘the peak adoption window’, at the ripe age of 2 months old.

When choosing the right home, it’s important to trust your gut and heart. If a home doesn’t feel right, it most likely isn’t the one. Never have them come pick up the kitten from your home - take the opportunity to visit their home and ensure it’s a good fit. We propose asking these questions prior to adoption to get an idea of what both parties have to work with;

• Do you currently have any pets; if so, are they friendly with other animals?

• Have you ever cared for a kitten or had a pet cat?

• Does the residence allow pets, and do those you live with approve?

• What do you plan to feed the kitten?

• Would the kitten be an indoor or outdoor cat?

• Do you agree to routinely vaccinate, deworm, as well as spay the kitten at 5 months?

• Can you provide proper veterinary care when the kitten falls sick?

• Can you commit to looking after them for 10-20 years?

Photo by Ali Khalil from Pexels.