Preparing Your Home for Foster Kittens
Fostering kittens is both a joy and a commitment. In Foster Kittens 101, Rose Frosek distills advice from Hannah Shaw—better known as the Kitten Lady—whose experience has helped thousands navigate the process. If you’re just getting started, it’s worth a read. This piece reflects both her guidance and my own fostering journey.
Before the chaos of scampering kittens begins, set up a safe, contained area. A quiet spare room is ideal, but even a partitioned space with a sturdy playpen works in smaller homes.
Kitten Setup Checklist
- Warm bedding: Think nest—blankets, soft towels, or pillows.
- Shallow litter box: Easy to access; avoid scented litter.
- Kitten-proofing: Hide cords, stash small chewables.
- Feeding station: Keep formula or soft food and clean water ready.
- Toys: Use dangly or prey-mimicking toys for enrichment.
Establishing this space helps kittens adjust while giving your resident cat room to breathe. My cat, Pixel, appreciated the boundaries early on—even if curiosity occasionally got the better of her.
Quarantine Protocols
Frosek emphasizes a key principle: isolation first. Set aside a closed room for new arrivals to reduce the risk of illness transmission. I use my guest bathroom—small, tiled, easy to sanitize.
Keep everything exclusive: litter box, bowls, bedding. Scrub thoroughly. Observe daily. If you’re unsure, call the vet. I’ve made that nervous call more than once, and it always pays off.
Introducing Foster Kittens to Resident Cats
Take it slow. Scent comes first—swap blankets, let them sniff under doors. Then, brief visual intros with toys as distractions. Pixel used to pretend not to care, but I’d catch her spying from the hallway.
Don’t expect instant friendships. Neutral tolerance is a win. If things go sideways, rewind and try again later.
Time & Commitment
Kittens demand daily attention—feeding, cleaning, playing, observing. One to two hours minimum. And always have backup care lined up. I learned that the hard way when I got called out of town last minute.
“You can foster kittens for as little as a few days or as long as a few months, depending on your availability and the needs of the kittens.”
Each arrangement is different. Find the rhythm that works for you.
Adoption Transition
Once weaned, socialized, and healthy, kittens are ready for forever homes. I like to send a small dossier: feeding notes, quirks, toys they love. Once, I wrote “Loves shoelaces, naps upside-down” on a post-it. It made the adopter laugh—and connect.
Goodbyes are hard. Pack their things. Give them a final cuddle. You’ve done your job. They’re ready for their story to continue.
For more detail and seasoned advice, Frosek’s Foster Kittens 101 is essential reading.
