FOSTERING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW DO I GET IN TOUCH ABOUT FOSTERING?

Submit a foster application and someone from our team will be in touch to setup a foster interview!

WHAT'S INVOLVED IN FOSTERING? 

Most fosters have busy work schedules and resident cats of their own, so even if you are busy it is possible. Fostering usually requires a time commitment of around 1-2 hours per day, normally centered around meal times, however this depends on the cats need. Some cats or kittens need socializing, which requires a time commitment of 2-3 hours per day. If you’ve never socialized before, but are interested in learning, you can check out our socialization tips page. Socializing is an incredibly rewarding and can truly save a cats life. Other cats might require medication, where we will provide instructions, all medication and help guide you through administration.

WHAT CARE WILL MY FOSTER NEED?

The level of care will depend on your fosters age and health. All kittens require high quality nutrition and regular vet visits to make sure they are gaining weight and to get vaccines. Other cats may be experiencing health issues that we are actively addressing. Greenpoint Cats covers the vet costs and medication for all cats and kittens in our care. We will also chat with you during a foster interview to asses what cats you are comfortable bringing into your home.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY NEW FOSTER?

Fostering requires time in your schedule, and a space in your home such as a bathroom, office, or extra bedroom - at least for the few few days while your new foster gets acclimated to their new environment. To setup your fosters new space, you will need a litter box, litter, food and water bowls, and dry/wet cat food - treats, a cozy bed (shy cats prefer caves) and some fun toys are an added bonus! While we do ask fosters to help provide the basics, you can also pickup extra supplies from us in Greenpoint if needed.

HOW LONG DOES A FOSTER PERIOD LAST?

Fostering can last from weeks to months depending on the fosters needs - we ask that for all new fosters you have at least a month to commit to fostering. We sometimes need temporary foster placements if another foster is going out of town, so shorter periods are also ok! If you are going out of town, we can help coordinate a foster takeover until you return.

WILL MY FOSTERS MEET MY RESIDENT CAT?

Fosters usually stay in a bathroom or a safe, smaller space away from your resident pets, however several of our cats are vaccinated, fixed and fully vetted/tested by the time they go into foster, and can be introduced to your resident cats after a few days. Check out our page on Introducing Cats which has resources to ensure the introduction goes smoothly. Some cats may need to be kept separate from your resident cats, but we will let you know if thats the case.

HOW CAN I HELP GET MY FOSTER ADOPTED?

Send us lots of great photos and videos to preview on their adoption profile. We will setup a shared Google Album for you to add cute cat content. Pro tip: find good lighting and use portrait mode! The more information we have about your fosters personality, likes, dislikes, routine, bad habits, and needs will help us find the best adopter. Email us at fosters@greenpointcats.org with details so we can curate a personalized bio on their adoption profile.

WHAT IF I WANT TO ADOPT?

That’s great news! You can get the process started by filling out an adoption application. Foster-to-adopt is a great way to learn if one of our cats is a good fit for your family prior to committing to adoption. When you foster-to-adopt, you take the animal home for a short period of time, usually 2-3 weeks, before deciding whether the relationship is meant to be. If you have adoption questions, please email adoptions@greenpointcats.org.

WHAT IS THE ADOPTION PROCESS?

All potential adopters will have an adoption interview with our team to determine if they are a good fit for your foster. Once the adopter has been approved by our team and agreed to the terms of adoption, we will setup an initial facetime interview with you to meet your foster over video. The adopter will likely have a lot of questions about the cats personality, routine and favorite things. If the facetime goes well, the next step is an in-person meeting for the adopters to meet your foster and interact with them. If you have a shy cat, wear headphones during the facetime interview and make sure they are in a small space for the in-person meeting so they cannot hide.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR FOSTER NEEDS VETERINARY CARE?

Email us with the subject line URGENT or if you have one of the teams numbers, text us whats going on with your foster. We’re always here to answer any questions, big or small. Our priority is the cats health and we’d rather you reach out than not.

WHERE SHOULD FOSTERS IDEALLY BE BASED?

We are currently able to accept foster applications from residents of the following neighborhoods: Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Bushwick, Bed-Stuy, Navy Yard, Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, Downtown Brooklyn, Lower East Side, ABC City, East Village and Bowery. If you live slightly outside of one of these areas, but have your own car or are willing to help transport the cat, that’s works too!