Cat FAQ

What types of cats need a foster home?

You can foster any of our available cats, but there are certain cats that need foster homes more than others, including:

• Underage, orphan, or nursing kittens/ pregnant moms;
• Senior cats;
• Cats with injury/illness;
• Shy or nervous cats who do not do well in the shelter environment.

How can I help my foster cat get adopted?

The best way to help your foster get adopted is by marketing them! We have an entire webpage with tips on how to do this including capturing good photos, and writing about all of their best, most marketable qualities to share with potential adopters

What do I do with my foster cat if I need to leave town?

Do your best to let the shelter know in advance, and you can bring your foster back here. Another great option is reaching out to the Foster and Volunteer Facebook group to see if anyone can temporarily care for your foster! Temporary foster placements need to be approved by the Foster Program Coordinator. Once you are back in town, if your foster has not been adopted, you can come pick them up and continue fostering them!

How long should I expect to foster a cat?

While we do not have any time restrictions on fostering, we do ask that you try to keep your foster for at least a week if possible. This offers them the chance to actually decompress and adjust to their new environment.

What do I do if I can no longer care for my foster cat?

If you can no longer care for your foster you must return them to BACC. If you would like, you can try to find a new foster home for your animal, but they must be approved by the Foster Program Coordinator. The Foster and Volunteer Facebook group is a great place to start when looking for a different foster placement.

Will fostering a cat cost me anything?

BACC does our best to keep fostering cost free, but we can not always guarantee that we will have all of the supplies you may need. We will always be able to provide food and litter, but may not always have extra items like treats and toys. It is ultimately up to you what you choose to spend on your foster.

Do I have any say in who adopts my foster cat?

As a foster you can not choose who gets to adopt your foster cat. However, you are their biggest advocate, and we encourage you to interact with potential adopters to help them find their forever home.

What should I expect to take on as a cat foster?

As a cat foster you will need to provide your cat with food and water daily, basic care (grooming, cleaning litter box, give medication as needed, and offer enrichment activities). We also ask that you provide photos and updates on your foster to help market them to potential adopters.

Why does my foster cat need to be isolated from my resident animals when it first enters my home?

Although we screen all animals that come through the shelter, some illnesses have incubation periods that extend into when they are placed into foster care. We ask you to keep fosters isolated as a precaution, to keep both your foster and resident pets safe!

What does the adoption process look like?

Once someone submits an application for the animal that you are fostering we will reach out to you. We will ask you to talk with the interested adoptees and potentially schedule a time and place for them to meet your foster animal. We do not advise inviting strangers to your home, and you are more than welcome to have your meeting at the shelter. If you are not comfortable speaking with potential adoptees, or they do anything that makes you uncomfortable, please let BACC know and we will take over communications. We will handle the paperwork and payment portion of the adoption, and ask that you organize a plan to get the animal to their forever family. 

What if I am interested in adopting my foster cat?

We highly recommend submitting an adoption application for your foster if you are at all interested in adopting them. Adoptions work on a first come first serve basis, so you want to be sure to get that application in before anyone else. Submitting an application is not a binding contract, it just ensures that no one else can adopt the animal without you first making a final decision on if you would like to adopt the animal.