Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Kittens Need Foster Homes


Kitten season has definitely begun. We have 44 kittens and cats in 11 different volunteer foster homes. These are kittens that are younger than seven weeks and/or weigh less than 2.5 pounds. Only two of these litters are with a nursing mother cat. The others must be fed, taught, and cleaned by a gentle human being. When these kittens are thriving and weigh 2.5 pounds, their foster parents return them to the shelter. They are spayed/neutered and then made available for adoption.

It takes a special person to become a foster parent. You have to devote yourself to these helpless creatures for several weeks and then you must let go. Our foster parents become very attached and after returning kittens and cats to the shelter some check daily to see if their kittens have been adopted. Our foster parents report that although their job is difficult, with some sleepless nights and many messes to clean up, it is very rewarding.

We also have three dogs in three foster homes while they recover from necessary medical treatment. So if you're not a cat person, we still need you.

If you think foster parenting is for you, please complete the volunteer foster application and send it to foster@awla.org.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why do you only have a foster program for kittens? Surely there are adult cats in desperate need. Other shelters and rescue groups in the area have extensive, successful foster programs. Why not expand the program and save more lives?

Animal Welfare League of Arlington said...

Thank you for your comment on our foster program. We do, in fact, foster adult cats when needed but, for the most part, adoptable adult cats are able to be kept at the shelter until they are adopted. Keeping them "on view" at the shelter gives these cats a better chance to meet potential adopters and find a new, loving family!

Anonymous said...

Earlier this summer, I adopted two kittens, including one that was part of your foster program. She is a sweetheart and is thriving! You volunteers do a wonderful job socializing these sweet babies. Thank you.