RSPCA ACT is in need of more foster carers to open their arms and homes to kittens and cats. After a seemingly endless kitten season, the team is anticipating further arrivals as the weather begins to warm up.
Throughout the 2021-22 financial year, RSPCA ACT rehomed 750 cats that would have otherwise remained homeless and unowned. These cats were either caught by the organisation or handed in by members of the public.
Followers of RSPCA ACT’s social pages will remember the three ‘bin kittens’ that were handed in after being found in a dumpster by the side of the road in July. After spending time relaxing, getting used to people, and having been desexed, all three have successfully found their furever homes.
“There is always a place for a stray kitten here and our foster carers are a massive lifeline. More [kittens] come in than we could handle, and we would never turn away a stray,” says Communications and Engagement Officer, Brendan Arnold.
There was a high number of neo-natal kittens requiring foster care during the year, with 117 tiny fur balls needing a temporary home. They are classed as a specialised area, suited to people who are retired or work from home as they need near constant care. Being smaller than the cupped palm of your hand, these baby felines often require bottle feeding and help with toileting at regular intervals.
Foster carers will only need to provide a welcoming home and a loving heart; RSPCA supplies the rest. Each carer is set up with food, litter, bedding, medications, enrichment, access to free veterinary care, and advice, to make the experience as smooth as possible. RSPCA ACT will work with foster carers to structure their caring around their available time and ability to commit, sometimes only needing help for a few days to give other carers a short break.
If you love cats and kittens but can’t commit to having one long-term, fostering provides an ideal opportunity to connect with one for a while. Helping a kitten or cat become socialised and well-adjusted to enable them to find a permanent home is an experience every cat lover should try, Brendan says.
While the most urgent need is for cat and kitten foster carers, the organisation is also on the lookout for a special kind of carer for their most vulnerable. They are looking for people who could provide a loving short-term home for other species needing respite, rehabilitative, or palliative care, especially dogs.
If you are interested in being a foster carer, head to rspca-act.org.au
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