Foster a Cat

Open your home. Save a life.

Foster homes are an essential part of Pet Haven’s lifesaving work. By temporarily welcoming a cat or kitten into your home, you provide the comfort, care, and stability they need while they prepare for adoption.

Whether you can foster once, seasonally, or on an ongoing basis, your support makes a meaningful difference.

Become A Foster

Why Foster?

Fostering helps cats who may need:

  • A quiet place to recover from stress

  • A safe home where kittens can grow until they are ready for adoption

  • Care and socialization during important developmental stages

  • Time to build confidence and trust with people

  • Support while recovering after medical care

  • A break from the shelter environment

  • Individual attention in a loving home setting

Every foster home provides a safe stepping stone on the journey to adoption, and allows Pet Haven to help even more cats and kittens in need.

Who Can Foster?

You do not need to be an expert to foster. Pet Haven provides guidance and support along the way.

Great foster homes are:

  • Patient and compassionate

  • Able to provide a safe indoor space

  • Comfortable following care instructions

  • Willing to communicate with Pet Haven staff

  • Excited to help cats on their journey to adoption

Types of Foster Opportunities

  • Not every cat thrives in a shelter environment. Some adult cats need a calm home where they can relax, build confidence, and show their true personalities. Foster homes provide comfort, routine, and one-on-one attention while they wait for adoption.

  • Growing kittens often need a safe place to stay until they are old enough, big enough, or medically ready for adoption. Foster families provide care, socialization, and positive experiences during one of the most important stages of a kitten’s development.

  • Some cats need extra time and patience to learn that people are safe. Foster homes help shy or nervous cats build trust through gentle interactions, predictable routines, play, and positive experiences at their own pace.

  • Some cats heal best outside of the shelter. Medical fosters provide a comfortable space for cats recovering from procedures, illness, or injuries while following care instructions and receiving support from the Pet Haven team.

  • Sometimes cats need immediate temporary placement due to urgent situations, shelter capacity, or unexpected needs. Short-term fosters provide a safe landing place until the next step in the cat’s journey is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • It depends on the cat’s needs. Some fosters may be short-term, while others may need several weeks.

  • A separate room is strongly recommended, especially during the first few days. It helps the cat decompress and keeps resident pets separated during introductions.

  • Yes, many fosters have pets. Pet Haven will help determine what type of foster placement is the best fit for your household.

  • That happens! Let Pet Haven know if you are interested in adopting your foster cat.

Apply to Become a Foster Parent