Fostering
Fostering a Cat With AHSEM
Thank you for your interest in fostering a cat with AHSEM. You are saving lives and helping the animal become their best self for their future homes.
Foster volunteers are essential to our rescue. AHSEM does not have its own physical building, therefore we rely on our fosters help. We would not be able to continue our rescue work without the help of our fosters. The more amazing fosters we have - the more cats we can save.
Fosters provide temporary homes, love, and care for our adoptable cats and kittens as they wait for their forever homes.
Fosters also help coordinate their fosters' veterinary care and arrange meet-and-greets for potential adopters.
Foster Parent Application
Access our foster care agreement and application below.
Please read through them carefully. If you are interested in fostering, complete the forms below.
Fostering FAQS
Why are animals put into foster homes?
There are many reasons why animals are fostered. Most times, its better for the cats and kittens physical and mental health to be in a home temporarily while they await placement, either at PetSmart or in an adoptive home.
Some foster volunteers care for young kittens until they are old enough to be spayed/neutered and adopted, while others care for cats who need special diets or medications and may not flourish at the store. Sometimes fosters just care for normal, adoptable adult cats because there isn’t enough room at PetSmart.
What exactly is a foster responsible for?
Providing a clean, safe space for the animal to live
Providing fresh water and food every day
Interacting with them every day
Provide love, attention, care, and socialization
Bringing the animal to the rescues veterinarian(s) for follow-up medical treatment, as needed
Bringing the animal to adoption events or meet-and-greets with potential adopters
Providing regular updates and reporting any medical or behavioral issues to AHSEM
Sharing photos or videos on social media to help generate interest in the animals for adoption
Do fosters have to provide their own food, litter, and supplies?
While many of our fosters provide some supplies on their own, AHSEM can provide wet and dry food, cat litter, supplements, and medications to our foster volunteers at no cost. Need bowls, beds, litter boxes, toys, or other supplies? Just ask! We support our fosters in any way we can. We have a wonderful group of fosters that help each other whether its advice, sharing supplies, or assisting with vet transport.
Check out recommended supplies for fostering from the Kitten Lady.
Do fosters have to pay for the vet bills?
When you foster from AHSEM, we cover all necessary vet bills for the foster animal. Please note, foster animals must be taken to AHSEM's partner veterinary office in order for the costs to be covered.
Can I adopt the foster if I get too attached?
Of course you can! We love "foster fails"! If there isn't an application already on the animal you're fostering you can adopt them. We love to see our cats go home with people they are familiar and comfortable with.
