Multnomah County Animal Services is seeking volunteers to foster cats as kitten season reaches its height in the coming months.
The spring-and-summer season of high cat birth rates will push the shelter’s cattery population toward capacity, making it harder for the shelter to provide adequate care to cats with special needs.
The animals that benefit most from fostering are those that the shelter staff believes have a good chance of ultimately being adopted, but that are either too young, need further socialization or have a treatable illness that requires special attention. Kittens, for instance, need foster care because they cannot be put up for adoption before they are weaned and separated from their mother, weigh three pounds and are spayed.
Foster caregivers must:
• be at least 18 years old
• have experience caring for and handling animals
• have suitable accommodations
• be able to make a personal and financial commitment to caring for a special needs animal.
Caregivers are also expected to help find a permanent home for the animal they foster. Multnomah County Animal Services assists caregivers in this search and provides them with other support, including free veterinary care.
View cats available for fostering and learn more at the Animal Services website.