FOSTERING

HELP?!
I have decided to foster.

The question you should ask yourself:
How old is this kitten/cat?

KITTENS:
Are their eyes open?
No Newborn needs to be fostered immediately

Open eyes but small:
Yes Almost 2 weeks old still needs formula

They can walk and have teeth:
Yes About 4 weeks old almost ready for wet food but still need formula

Can they use the litter box:
Yes possibly 4 weeks old in training but if its feral they will rely on the litter box use kennel

Can they: eat, drink water and use litter box and very social:
6 Weeks old

FOR MORE INFO ON IDENTIFICATION:

Kitten Age Identification Wiki

CATS:
If you need to determine the sex of a cat. Sometimes its obvious and other times your mind will trick you. If you don't mind going to a vet and paying the bill and get it back as a rehoming fee to check for its well being that is fine. There were a few times I was wrong when a male cat looked female because it wasn't being present in the back.

As for the their age depends on their personality sometimes
you can really just tell by their face by how old they look.

Fostering kittens:

When fostering kittens you have to ask yourself this question:

Are you ready for the long road ahead and the heartbreaks that comes with it?

If you are, get ready for some sleepless nights,
the frustrations that comes with it and so many messes.

If you want a really much easier option.
You can volunteer as a temporary foster for
San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition. And they will give you the supplies you need. I do suggest keep reading so you know what you may need. Click on the volunteer tab when you are done reading. :) There more stuff on the bottom of the page.

What items you need:

*Patience
*Love
*Kindness

* An amazing cup of coffee or tea
*Music (not too loud their ears are sensitive to relax you during the day)
* Food for yourself
**Your Sanity**

Sleeping Area
A dedicated bin
(0-5 week old kittens)

Heating Pad that is directly for the lower back (Sunbeam has one that lasts for two hours)
So when they get too hot they can move to a cooler area.

Heating Fan

Towels
(hand towels the larger rectangular one, not for the face)

Training Pad Liner
(if you have a Sams Club, Costco, or BJ's club membership its cheaper there)

A kennel for feral kittens it has to be big enough to fit a litter box, food, water and an area for them to sleep

Purell or Germ X for your hands: if you have other cats in the home not to transfer bacteria back to them

FEEDING

FEEDING TAKES EVERY 2-2.5HRS

Kitten Nursing Bottles

Kitten Milk Replacement Formula

Pedialyte NON FLAVOR (kittens can loose their electrolytes)

Mix and Serve Container (to make one container of formula)

CLEANING/SANITARY
Munchkins Bottle Cleaning Brush Set
(they only have the most acceptable brushes to clean pet nursing bottles)

Purell or Germ X for your hands:
if you have other cats in the home not to transfer bacteria back to them

Clorox Wipes
When they use the litter box it will land on the wall or furniture,
when they want the litter off their paws they will put it on the litter box edges or on the wall
depending where you put the litter box

Baby Wipes
To clean their butt or your hands :)

BATHING
Kitchen Towels for After Bathing
Dawn Dish Soap
Hair Dryer

Grooming
Saftey 1st Brush for newborns
(baby section for humans)

Nail Trimming:
In the pet section there is a scissor like nail clipper

For Uh Ohs!
When your kitten has the runs they will be in pain.
Neosporin helps a lot. Make sure it says pain relief.
Take them to the vet they may have a virus.