Open your home
Become a Foster
A spare room and a few weeks of your time is the difference between a cat we can help and one we have to leave where it is.
Apply to fosterwhy it matters
Why fosters matter
A home until the right one comes along
In addition to our trap-neuter-return program, we also work to find temporary homes for cats that are suitable for adoption. Our team of dedicated foster volunteers provides loving care to these cats until we find them a permanent home.
A safe space to call home
While not every cat can be a domestic indoor cat, our community cats deserve a loving safe space to call home, too. When possible, we will find wonderful homes for cats suited to indoor life.
Fosters set the limit
The number of kittens and friendly cats we can take off the street is set by the number of foster homes we have, not by the number of cats who need one. Every new foster home is one more cat we can say yes to.
who needs you
What we need fosters for
Every foster cat is different, and you choose what fits your home.
Kittens too young to adopt
Bottle babies and weaned litters need a warm, quiet place to grow until they are old enough to be spayed or neutered and adopted.
Friendly cats waiting for a home
Cats who are clearly used to people are listed on Petfinder and stay with a foster, not in a cage, until the right family comes along.
Recovery after surgery or illness
A cat healing from spay or neuter surgery, an injury or an infection needs a few calm days indoors with someone keeping an eye on them.
Socialization
Some shy cats and older kittens just need patient daily company to learn that people are safe. Fosters give them that.
how it works
From application to adoption
- 1 / 4
Apply
Fill in the short form below. It takes a few minutes and commits you to nothing. - 2 / 4
We call you
A volunteer talks through your home, your schedule and the kind of cat that would fit. - 3 / 4
Set up a room
We bring the supplies. You pick a quiet room your own pets cannot get into. - 4 / 4
Meet your cat
Your foster cat moves in. We stay a phone call away and handle the adoption when the time comes.
What we provide
Food and litter- Bowls, a litter box, bedding and toys
- All veterinary care, through our partner vets
- Any medication the cat needs, with instructions
- A volunteer you can call with questions
What we ask of you
- A room apart from your own pets
- Daily food, water, a clean box and some company
- Rides to vet appointments in Bonita Springs
- A photo and a quick update now and then
- A call right away if anything seems wrong
How long does it take?
It depends on the cat. Kittens usually stay until they are old enough for surgery and adoption. A cat recovering from surgery may only need a few days. Friendly adult cats stay until they are adopted, and we keep their Petfinder listing active the whole time so that wait is as short as we can make it. If you can only foster for a set period, tell us on the form and we will match you with a cat that fits.
good to know
Foster questions
Do I need experience to foster?
No. Most of our fosters started with no experience at all. We walk you through feeding, litter, medication if a cat needs it, and what to watch for, and a volunteer is a phone call away the whole time.
What does fostering cost me?
Nothing but your time. We provide the food, litter, supplies and all veterinary care for the cats in our program, so please do not pay for vet visits yourself; call us first and we will arrange it.
Can I foster if I have my own cats or dogs?
Usually yes, as long as the foster cat can have a room of its own, away from your pets, and your pets are up to date on their vaccines. New arrivals stay separated at first for everyone’s health.
What if I fall in love with my foster cat?
That happens all the time, and we are delighted when it does. Tell us and we will make the adoption official. Every foster is still listed on Petfinder until then, so let us know before someone else asks about them.
How do foster cats get adopted?
They are listed on our Petfinder page while they are with you. When someone is interested we arrange a meeting, usually at your home or at a volunteer’s, and we handle the adoption paperwork.
What if it is not working out?
Call us. Life changes, and some cats need a different setting. We will move the cat to another foster; nobody is stuck, and there are no hard feelings.
Foster application
Tell us a little about your home. A volunteer will call or email you to talk it through; there is no commitment until you say yes to a specific cat.
Prefer to talk first? Call us at 239-319-8478.
Not ready to foster yet? Every animal still deserves love and a safe place to call home.