Foster care
What is foster care?
Every year, Haags Dierencentrum takes in hundreds of cats. Some cats need extra attention and thrive best in a temporary home. That is why we are looking for foster families who want to take in a cat, a mother cat with kittens, or a motherless kitten for a few weeks. You help them socialize, build trust, and grow up in a stable, loving environment.
Foster care relieves the pressure on our shelter staff and increases the chances of successfully rehoming a cat. It requires responsibility and attention, but it is also very rewarding.
Types of foster care
We are looking for foster care for:
Mother cat with kittens – You provide a safe environment, food, water, and a clean litter box. At the same time, you keep a close eye on the mother and kittens. You also help with socialization later on, so the kittens get used to people and their surroundings.
Motherless kittens / bottle-fed kittens – These kittens need intensive care, such as bottle-feeding every 2 hours, help with toileting, and warmth. Furthermore, socialization is essential, and you must be available for several months.
Cats needing extra care – Older cats or cats with medical issues often recover faster in a home environment. As a foster family, you observe their behavior, support their diet and medication, and increase their chances of finding a new home.
What does foster care involve?
Upon arrival, our veterinarian checks the kittens and mother cats, and treats them for fleas and worms if necessary. After that, they can go to the foster home. During their stay, you care for the animals and help them get used to people, other animals, and everyday sounds. This helps them grow into confident cats with a better chance of being rehomed.
For kittens, this means cleaning up poop, massaging bellies, caring for eyes, and giving lots of love and attention. For older or sick cats, it often involves extra medical care, observation, and attention. This helps the cats get used to a home environment and reduces stress for their future adoption.
The duration of the foster care varies: sometimes a few weeks are enough, sometimes a longer period is needed, depending on the cat’s health and needs.
What do we offer foster families?
Expert advice and guidance from our staff
All necessities, such as food, cat litter, blankets, and possibly a crate
Medical care for the cat in foster care
A unique opportunity to help an animal and contribute to a successful rehoming
Caring for a foster cat is fun, educational, and rewarding. You help animals in need and increase their chances of a happy life. However, you must take responsibilities into account, such as illness, difficult behavior, or saying goodbye to your guest.
Become a foster family
Would you like to provide a cat, a mother cat with kittens, or a kitten with a temporary loving home? Then sign up via the registration form and help us give animals a better start in life!
