Preparing for Your Foster Experience.

Your foster kittens should be separated from all other animals in your household and
kept in a small area, such as a spare room or bathroom, where they have access to their
food, water, and litter box. And because kittens cannot regulate their body temperature,
this area should also be in a warm, draft-free area. It may be a good idea to consider an
area that is easy to clean up in terms of spills and litter box accidents, which will happen
since the kittens are learning. Please don’t put the kittens in a garage or place that has
outdoor access; those locations are not safe.

Supplies You'll Need.

The Rescue Crew can provide you with any supplies that you may need. However, we
greatly appreciate any help that you can provide in supplying items for your foster
kittens. Here’s what you’ll need to care for your foster kittens:
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• At least one bowl for dry food and one for water: If you have a large litter, you will
• need to provide more than one bowl each for water and food.
• A supply of kitten food.
• New bottle for each bottle-fed litter and formula for bottle-feeding.
• Litter box with low sides: More than one may be needed for larger litters.
• Non-clumping litter is best: Use pine pellets or clay litter.
• Heat source: Kittens can’t keep themselves warm, so if they are motherless, you
• must provide a heat source. The SnuggleSafe microwave heating pad is
• recommended.
• A soft place to sleep: Old towels or blankets work well.
• A secure sleeping area: A cat carrier with the door removed or a box laid on its
• side work well.
• Toys: Use kitten-safe toys that are easy to sanitize and clean. Kittens can play with
• them when you’re not home.
• Scratching post: Kittens need to learn to scratch on them rather than the furniture.

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Kitten-Proofing Your Home.

Foster kittens are tiny and cute, but just like children, they are also very curious. They will
try to get into everything to explore, so you will need to kitten-proof your home. Here
are some tips:
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• Put away any small items that a kitten can swallow.
• Hide any breakable items, block electrical outlets, and remove toxic plants.
• If your kittens are staying in a bathroom, make sure that the toilet lid is always
• closed.
• Block off any spaces that the kittens could crawl into and hide in.
• When setting up your kitten room, be sure to place the litter boxes as far away
• from food and water as possible.

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