5 Things No One Told Me About Fostering Kittens

Kittens eat a lot. No, they eat A LOT

I would say on a normal day, a healthy growing kitten eats about two large cans of cat food. That's ONE kitten. Two cans per kitten. Plus dry food, which I keep out all day. 

And treats. 

And like part of your couch. Probably some hair ties. Probably a wicker basket and like two fake plants.

This means, a group of four kittens will be eating at least 8 cans of cat food a day. Sometimes I put down extra food and they eat that. There is no obesity crisis in the fostering kitten world and you should never deny a kitten food because you cannot overfeed them. 

You can only stare in wonder and keep buying more and more food.

2. Fostering is tax deductible!

That’s right! Since 2004, if the rescue you are working for is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, you can write-off cat fostering expenses. 

Items such as food, medicines, vet bills and supplies can be tax deductible.

If there's a room in your home solely dedicated to the care of fostering cats, you can claim a portion of your household utilities, as well. Save your receipts if you are paying for your fosters out of your own pocket!

3. It’s a little gross – ok a lot gross

Kittens brought in from bad conditions are going to have gross problems. If you are hoping for tiny, well-behaved love-balls, you’re in for a I’m-not-sure-of-that-poop-or-vomit wake-up call. Sometimes stuff just shoots out of their butts (like tapeworm segments) or appears on their head (like ringworm). 

You will be cleaning a variety of material from carpets and walls and probably finding hidden substance mixed with the food they tracked all over after they toppled their food bowls and rolled in it.

You will probably see worms in their butts or skin conditions like ringworm. You will see eye junk, nose gunk, cuts and more! 

4. It is unpredictable

I was going to take two kittens and six kittens were delivered. I was going to foster for two weeks and two months later, I still had a batch of kittens. 

I had to cancel plans to deliver a sickly kitten into the advanced care of another rescuer who I never didn't know...and met in a dark alleyway one night. I delivered kittens to potential adopters and about an hour later, these people were denied on the spot because something was “off” about them.

There is a lot of things that can happen when you foster that you probably can’t really plan for. It’s not because someone is after you or doesn’t appreciate you, it’s because this is what is needed. It’s unpredictable because – well, see 5.

5. It was NEVER about you

If you are trying to cram your house with more kittens than you can support (or that those living with you can handle) because life is cruel – reevaluate. If you are not making their situation better and maintaining your own healthy and happy situation, this is not for you.

If you are fostering to feel love or to teach your children something - reevaluate. These are not furry life-affirming-lessons which spread fun and easy sparkle-dreams. They are living creatures in need who have had a tough and rough start. Some of them are going to hate you so hard...

If you have an expectation of getting something in return, some reward or praise or rights to another life after you give your money, time and space - reevaluate. It is rare you get follow-up stories or get thanks or some type of parade. The goal is to get these kittens to their forever homes - not get a reward.

I have been bitten, scratched, got ringworm, had furniture and carpets ruined, been awake all night, smelled like sulfur for days, crammed pills and potions down tiny throats while they cried and been made fun of by friends and coworkers. I have canceled fun plans, made hard decisions and HATED everything at times.

It’s ok, though, because fostering is not about me. It’s about getting these animals healthy, trained and off to their forever homes. The reward is when they leave your care to a vetted and loving home.