Get in touch, and be sure to fill out our foster carer application form. You can find this form on the Foster Carer page of our website. Once you have advised that you are able to foster a cat or kittens, we will speak with you about the cats we have available for fostering, and decide who will suit you best. We will provide some of the supplies needed for the duration of the care and let you know the date, time and location for where to pick up your foster cat. To be a foster carer with Strong Hearts Cat Rescue, we do need you to be an active member on our Facebook Messenger group, so we can easily get in touch, send photos, and get updates.

• Strong communication with core team members on health, weight, concerns and if you need support

• Looking for fantastic photo opportunities and forwarding them on to assist with adoption process (cuter the photo easier to rehome)

• Ensure your foster cannot escape. Cats can escape through fly screen - please ensure all windows are secure and fly screen not accessible

• Please use this website to ensure that you do not expose your fosters to anything toxic in your household (especially some indoor plants and household chemicals) CAT POISONS

We rescue a wide range of cats and kittens, and it is important to choose the right fit for you and your situation:

- Kittens

- Spicy cats who need rehabilitation (you will be provided additional support and a care plan to follow)

- Adults

- Neonatal

- Injured and/or sick

You will have direct contact with our foster coordinators & within a support group chat where we have qualified and experienced team members who can help to answer any questions. This is a supportive and non-judgmental group of animal lovers who appreciate you and are there to help. We can usually give you an estimated timeline of how long a cat or kittens will be in your care, with the exception of behavioural or palliative, but also even with kittens circumstances can change with illness, infections and so on. If you are no longer able to continue to foster, let us know as soon as possible and we can source out another carer.

We are a rescue made up of volunteers, and rely on donations and adoption fees. Where possible, we are able to supply some of the following, including food if necessary:

- Bedding

- Toys

- Enclosed cat carrier

- Kitty litter tray / kitty litter - the crystals can be toxic to kittens if they eat them so please avoid them

- We highly suggest using a crate or tent if fostering scared, shut down or small kittens

This is one of the most important questions we ask of you. We are a rescue group, so the cats and kittens we take in will need a period of 14 days in isolation, especially if you have existing cats/pets. During the 14 day isolation period, your foster cat/kittens will need to be isolated from your household pets, furniture and carpets (if possible). This can take place in a spare room, a laundry or bathroom. The two most common diseases in rescue are ringworm and cat flu.

Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection which starts as hair loss, often in a circular pattern, it then becomes crusty (often on the face and/or tail but can be elsewhere on the body).

Cat flu - symptoms are watery eyes, sneezing and/or nasal discharge. If you notice any of these symptoms please contact your foster care coordinator or let a team member know in the group chat. We try to our very best to reduce the spread of any infections, parasites and/or diseases.

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The cats and kittens we rescue have not always been fed highly nutritious and balanced diets. It is really important to us that they are fed excellent quality food. The following brands provide a balanced diet:

• Royal Canin

• Blackhawk

• Advance

• Hill's Science Diet

We ask you to provide dry food, and where possible, a small amount of wet food for flavour.

Remember kittens and cats are carnivores and lactose intolerant - diet can contribute to many health issues such as runny poo, vomiting, being lethargic and weight loss. If you are confused, wondering if something is okay to be feeding your fosters, or noticing any health problems please contact your foster coordinator.

It is important that you can drive and have access to a car so that you are able to get your foster to vet appointments. Many of the cats and kittens we rescue are not yet desexed, microchipped or vaccinated, so we arrange for these procedures at one of the vets we use that is located closest to you. Desexing appointments are usually an 8-9am drop off, and pick up is usually around 4pm. Your foster cat must be in an enclosed and secure cat carrier whenever leaving your house.

Being able to drive is also extremely important in case of an emergency, so you can get to the vet quickly.

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Look for photo opportunities when possible. A good photo is the difference between a kitten or cat staying in care for weeks! Photos with good lighting that really capture the cuteness, quirks and personality of your foster will really help with their adoption. Video footage is also really useful and engaging for our Social Media channels. Please feel free to share photos and videos in our online foster support group as much as you like!

Communication is super important when fostering. Questions are fantastic.

There is no such thing as a silly question. If you are concerned, have any questions please reach out to your foster coordinator or write it in the support group chat.

Each Sunday we will require an update on your foster cat, including photos. This is just so we can ensure everyone is supported and every cat is receiving what they need. It is also a legal obligation. If contact isn’t made on Sunday a core team member will contact you personally.