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"Oh, I don't think I could foster. I just
couldn't bear to part with any of
them once I have their cute, fuzzy little
bodies in my house/my arms/my
life."
This sentiment is a frequent response when we ask folks
whether they would be willing to foster cats for
A.C.A.T. It is an honest and valid
statement. Because no matter how long you foster,
or how many cats come and go through your loving arms
and your wonderful home, there are always times when it
is hard to part with a foster cat. But, for foster
parents, the parting is bittersweet; bitter because it
is a loss, which has to be dealt with, and sweet because
the cat they so loved found a loving and permanent
home.
Ultimately, without foster homes, many cats wouldn't have the second, or third, chance that they deserve. So many cats already end up abandoned on the street, sick, hungry, homeless, or in shelters where their fates would be very uncertain. We try to help out by taking on some of these needy cats and taking them into our homes.
Foster parenting cats is a commendable, worthwhile
endeavor. It is not without heartache, for some
cats don't make it. It is not without work,
because you have to give love, attention and care to
your foster cat just as you would your own. But,
through it, you grow as a person, learning to let go
when you have to, learning what your
"specialty" is when it comes to cats, and
getting the satisfaction of knowing that you are doing
your part to help your community, and to help innocent
and needy cats.
If you think that you could provide a foster home for a cat, please call (323-2228), email A.C.A.T. at volunteer@albcat.com, or complete and mail a foster parent application. Someone will call or email you back to discuss foster parenting with you.
Usually foster families have to supply food for their foster cats as donations of food are in short supply. Whenever food is available, A.C.A.T. will be happy to supply you with some.
Any cat that you would be asked to foster will have already tested negative to Feline Leukemia. All possible precautions are taken to ensure that cats placed into foster homes are healthy and do not have any communicable diseases. However, it is possible that a cat will be a carrier of a parasite, disease or virus. Foster families must agree not to hold A.C.A.T. responsible for any illnesses brought into their home.