What is being a foster for cat/kitten(s)?

The purpose of the Tender Loving Cats, Inc. Foster Care Program for cat/kitten(s) is to provide a temporary loving home and family for cat/kitten(s) from the time they enter the adoption program until they are ready for adoption. Without our foster parents we would be unable to save the lives of homeless cat/kitten(s) from the streets of Long Island, NY.                                          
The foster parent is responsible for caring for the cat/kitten(s) until it is physically and socially ready to be adopted into a permanent home.  Foster parents will be expected to provide food, litter, shelter, care, socialization and often to name to the cat/kitten(s) that they foster.
Tender Loving Cats, Inc. Foster Coordinator will provide support and assistance to foster parents throughout this process. Tender Loving Cats, Inc. will assist fosters through any medical concerns, scheduling for necessary medical care and finally arranging for the cat/kitten(s) to be brought into an adoption location or posted on PetFinder until a permanent home is found.  Tender Loving Cats, Inc. adoption process requires the applicant to complete an adoption application form and if approved, a home delivery, an adoption agreement form completed and to pay an adoption fee. 
Fosters parents assume the responsibility of keeping track of medical records & dates for their cat/kitten(s) until they are ready for adoption.  It is important that you keep Tender Loving Cats, Inc. updated on all medical concerns and issues. 
​Apply to become a Tender Loving Cats, Inc. foster parent here - ​https://www.tenderlovingcats.org/foster-application.html

Is fostering cat/kitten(s) for me?

Applying to become a foster parent can be a wonderfully fulfilling experience. To know that you have contributed to saving the life of a cat/kitten(s) that otherwise may not have had a chance is truly a rewarding experience. Kittens under the age of 8 weeks are typically very easily raised to be socialized to people and grow up to be happy family pets. It’s imperative that each foster parent know that this is not always the case after the age of 8 weeks old. Socializing to humans becomes increasingly more difficult, be certain you are able to cope with the expected challenges of the particular situation. When you agree to foster a cat/kitten(s) ask for the history (i.e. Where are they from? Have they been handled by humans? How old are they?).
If you agree to take on the challenge of socializing kittens over the age of 8 weeks old you should also be prepared to give some “Tough Love”. Our Foster Coordinator will coach you through this process. It’s especially important to be open and honest with us about your foster cat/kitten(s) socialization progress. You should see significant progress within 2 weeks but if you don't, it’s very important that we know before it’s too late to make a change. Sometimes we can coach you through these “Tough Love” techniques, sometimes they need a different foster and sometimes a cat/kitten over 8 weeks may need to be released to the location where they were found after being spayed/neutered in a process called TNR or Trap-Neuter-Return. Cat/kitten(s) that live in fear of humans are feral and typically not happy to be living indoors with us. The most humane solution may be to release a feral cat/kitten(s) back to where he/she is from after spay/neuter. These cat/kitten(s) are ear-tipped to show others that they are already spayed/neutered and vaccinated and do not need to be trapped.