FOSTERING ANIMALS:

We foster pets that come into our care for many reasons.

Primarily, we require fosters for pregnant mom and kittens.  Our kittens stay in homes until they are 14 weeks of age and then they come to the shelter.  We provide guidance and some training for this type of fostering.

Kitten Fostering Requirements:

Part 1: Foster Home Readiness Check

​Before bringing a litter home, ensure the foster environment meets these baseline safety and structural requirements.

  • ​Dedicated Quarantine Room: A bathroom, spare bedroom, or large playpen completely separate from resident pets for at least 10–14 days to prevent disease transmission.
  • ​Kitten-Proofed Safety: All electrical cords hidden or wrapped, open vents covered, toxic houseplants removed, and small gaps (like behind appliances or under cabinets) blocked off.
  • ​Temperature Control: A reliable ambient room temperature of 75°F to 80°F, or a designated safe heating source (such as a microwaveable heating disc or a low-voltage pet heating pad that covers only half the nesting area).
  • ​Appropriate Litter Setup: A low-sided box filled strictly with non-clumping clay or paper-based litter. (Kittens eat litter out of curiosity; clumping litter causes fatal blockages).

​Part 2: Knowledge of Chronological Developmental Milestones

​Use these benchmarks to monitor the kittens’ growth and know what care they require based on their approximate age.

​Weeks 1 to 3: Neonatal Phase

  • ​Weight & Growth: Steady daily gains of 10–15 grams.
  • ​Bottle Feeding Experience Wanted but not REQUIRED: 100% reliant on bottle-feeding with specialized Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR) every 2 to 4 hours, depending on exact age.
  • ​Elimination: Unable to go to the bathroom on their own. Must be manually stimulated with a warm, damp cotton ball or tissue after every single feeding.
  • ​Environment: Must remain on a heating source 24/7; cannot regulate their own body temperature.

​Weeks 4 to 5: Transitional Phase

  • ​Weight & Growth: Eyes and ears are fully open; teeth begin to erupt.
  • ​Dietary Transition: The weaning process begins. Introduce “gruel” (a slurry of wet kitten food mixed with warm formula or water) in a shallow dish 4 to 5 times a day.
  • ​Litter Mastery: Introduce the low-sided litter box. Kittens will instinctively begin exploring it, though accidents are common.
  • ​Socialization: Begin gentle human handling to build trust. Introduce safe toys.

​Weeks 6 to 7: Independence Phase

  • ​Dietary Independence: Transitioning completely to solid food (high-quality wet and dry kitten kibble). Drinking water independently from a shallow bowl.
  • ​Mobility & Play: High energy, running, pouncing, and wrestling with littermates.
  • ​Socialization: Expose to different sights, sounds, and gentle handling of paws and ears (prepares them for future vet visits and nail trims).

​Part 3: Adoption Readiness Criteria

​A kitten is ready to return to the shelter or go to an adoptive home only when they meet all of the following final benchmarks:

  • ​[ ] Weight Requirement: Must weigh a minimum of 2 pounds (approx. 900 grams) to safely undergo spay/neuter surgery.
  • ​[ ] Dietary Stability: Fully weaned onto solid food with no reliance on formula for at least 7 consecutive days.
  • ​[ ] Litter Box Reliability: 100% consistent usage of the litter box with zero household accidents.
  • ​[ ] Health Clearance: Bright, alert, and active. Eyes, nose, and ears must be completely free of discharge. No signs of coughing, sneezing, lethargy, or diarrhea.
  • ​[ ] Socialization Milestone: Shows confidence around humans, approaches easily, and does not exhibit extreme fear or defensive aggression (hissing/hiding).

 

KITTEN FOSTERS PLEASE PRINT FOR TRACKING YOUR KITTENS DEVELOPMENT:

Kitten Foster Tracking Form

 

Secondly, we require fosters for dogs that come into our care .

Criteria for Dog Fostering:

Some behavior training and experience with dogs is a must.

A fenced yard

Physical strength to handle large dogs and be able to take the dog for daily walks.

 

Criteria for Fostering Cats:

Thirdly, we require fosters for senior cats or cats with medical issues. 

Quiet home environment

Experience or willingness to learn how to give needles, trans-dermal medications, give daily tablets or supplements by mouth.

We look after the medical costs for these pets.

Home visits may be required by staff and medical appointments for the cat must be arranged through the shelter.

For all foster homes, we provide the supplies required for fostering pets.  Many fosters choose to supply some or all of the supplies and food for the fostered pets, but it is not a requirement.

 

FILL OUT FOSTER APPLICATION HERE:

Please complete, and submit the FOSTER APPLICATION FORM.

Foster Application
AAF provides medical care for Long-Term foster animals
Please add grandchildren and how often they visit as well.

 

 

Right now, we are looking for foster homes for kittens and dogs.  Please contact us if you would like to know more about fostering.