My husband and I have been fostering kittens for our local shelter for about five years, enjoying the experience immensely. The kittens typically arrive at around 4 to 5 weeks old, and our primary role is to help them gain weight and socialize until they are ready for adoption, which generally takes two to five weeks based on their individual needs. Having adult cats ourselves, with the youngest being four years old, it’s delightful to have kittens around, watching them grow and develop their unique personalities.
Read More
However, the number of kittens needing care can feel overwhelming. With kitten season now underway, shelters are facing an influx. I recently received a message from our shelter indicating that 22 kittens needed fostering in a single day, highlighting the strain many shelters experience due to limited resources. Kittens under 8 weeks of age are too young to thrive in a shelter environment, making foster programs essential.
During a recent visit to the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center in California, I learned more about the ASPCA’s Los Angeles Feline Foster Program, which is now entering its sixth year. The program aims to save more cats in Los Angeles County, especially “peewee” kittens aged 4 to 8 weeks. In its inaugural year from April to December 2017, the program facilitated the rescue of over 1,000 kittens, resulting in an 88 percent increase in the live release rate for kittens at Baldwin Park compared to the previous year. This year, the target is to care for 1,500 kittens.
A distinctive feature of this foster program is how kittens are handled upon intake; they are evaluated on-site by ASPCA veterinary staff and temporarily housed in a specially equipped trailer with kennels and supplies. Ideally, they are sent to their foster homes the same day they arrive. Each kitten is given a supply of necessities, including toys, food, and litter, while the program also provides medical care for any health issues that may arise.
On the day of my visit, only one of the ten kennels was occupied by a charming group of four kittens. However, the shelter can receive up to 20 “peewee” kittens daily, underscoring the ongoing need for foster placements. Every small effort helps, and even fostering a few kittens can make a significant impact.
For those interested in learning more about the ASPCA's foster program in Los Angeles or signing up as a foster caretaker, additional information is available at ASPCAspca.org/FosterLA.
Building on the success of the L.A. Feline Foster Program, the ASPCA will launch a national campaign called Meow for Now on June 8, 2018, coinciding with Adopt a Shelter Cat Month. This initiative aims to expand foster networks across the country and raise awareness about the crucial need for fosters. More than 500 shelters and rescues are expected to participate, and the ASPCA hopes to recruit tens of thousands of prospective foster parents nationwide.
Fostering is a rewarding experience that can significantly enhance the lives of vulnerable kittens in need.