Why Foster?

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Your Role:

• Foster Dog Opportunities: Help dogs recovering from surgeries, undergoing heartworm treatment, or needing extra TLC and socialization. 

Not all dogs are available for foster.

Who Can Foster:

• Age Requirement: You must be 21 years old with valid ID.
• Pet Requirements: Your pets must be up-to-date on vaccines, spayed/neutered, and on monthly heartworm prevention (applicable to all dogs).

Renters Welcome Too:

• Lease Agreement: Show us your lease or letter from landlord confirming you are allowed to have a dog where you live, following compliance with any breed and size restrictions set by the rental property.

Local Heroes Needed:

• Live Locally: Fosters must live in the area so their foster can easily be brought to veterinarian appointments and meet potential adopters.

Join us in making tails wag and hearts melt—become a foster hero today at Ruth's Memorial Shelter!

What we need from you:

• Pet Requirements: All existing pets in your home must be spayed/neutered and up-to-date on vaccines to ensure the safety and health of all animals involved.
• Indoor Living: Foster kitties must be kept strictly indoors to prevent exposure to outdoor hazards and ensure their safety.

Adult cats benefit from fostering for various reasons:

• Preference for Solitude: Some adult cats prefer to be the only pet or live with fewer cats, reducing stress and improving their well-being.
• Medical Fostering: Cats recovering from surgery or awaiting medical procedures benefit from a quiet, home environment.
• Emergency Situations: During large-scale rescues or from abusive situations, adult cats may require immediate placement.
• Long-term Care: Cats with chronic medical conditions or behavioral challenges thrive in a foster home environment, receiving personalized care and attention.

Fostering kittens requires special attention and care:

• Litter Dynamics: Kittens usually come in litters and are rarely solitary. They benefit from socializing with littermates to learn important behaviors.
• Health Care: Initially, kittens require quarantine from other animals until they are seen for their first vet visit. Kittens are vetted around 8 weeks old - including combo testing and vaccinations. Mother cats will be combo tested and rabies vaccinated prior to going to foster. 
• Developmental Needs: Providing a safe and nurturing environment helps kittens grow and develop properly, preparing them for adoption.
• Pregnant Cats: Pregnant cats are fostered through birth until kittens are at least 8 weeks old, ensuring the health and well-being of both mother and offspring.  Generally, we then move mom into the shelter (as space allows) to finish her vetting and become available for adoption.  

Fosters play a crucial role in caring for our kittens until they find their forever homes or are ready for adoption at one of our partner cat cafes or Princeton's Meow. Kittens usually find homes quickly, but occasionally they may stay in foster care for several months. Fosters must be willing to meet potential adopters at the shelter for adoption appointments and be available to bring the kittens to vet appointments on designated vetting nights at Princeton's Meow.