FOSTER 1.0

CREATING A CAT

FOSTER

NETWORK

Why Do You Need a Foster Network?Space: Foster homes create “infinite” space and provide you with

complete flexibility. Cost Savings: Foster homes provide the majority of the care and feeding

supplies for the animals. Better Marketing: Fosters know the cats best.Potential Adopters: Fosters have large social networks to tap into. Happier /Healthier cats: Cats hate cages!

What Exactly Do You Need To Start A Foster Network?

A foster application: So people can apply to foster.

Zoho Version

Foster Application - Wordpress

Getting Started: Data SystemsYou need a way to track animals moving around into and out of foster

homes.Keeping track of animals that you don’t physically have in your care can be

difficult, have a plan for every step of the way!

Getting Started: Follow Up Systems

Follow up is about prevention (not reaction) and reminding people before something is due. Send reminders BEFORE things are due. Times to contact your fosters:

As soon as they pick the animal up Before items are due (vaccines, spay/neuter). Weekly reports BCC

mass email. Spay/Neuter reminders – enough time for them to schedule. Better

yet – schedule the appt. before the animal leaves your care if possible, then remind people of their already scheduled appointment.

Overdue reminders If not responding – call! Legal letter sent if no responses Outcome as adopted or stolen (get it off the books)

Email When A Foster First Takes Home A Cat

Reminder Emails

Getting Started: Foster DocumentationSign Out Sheet

Getting Started: Cat Foster Manual - Zoho

Getting Started: FAQs/HandoutsCommon illnesses happen often, having easy to copy/paste info is essential, fosters will always have lots of questions!

Cat Flu FAQs

How To Tell Age/Sex/Breed Of CatsWhoever is going to be trying to get cats out of the shelter and into

foster MUST know how to tell a cat’s breed/age/gender! Train and make signs.

Cat Breed Training Example

Getting Started: Staff/SupportThis can be basic and all volunteers. Grow the staff as the foster network grows.

Foster Approval Team: People to screen new fosters (auto email apps to them)

Foster Manager: Someone to “manage” the fosters (can be multiple people

Foster Mentor team – not 100% necessary but helpful if you have a lot of fosters, provide extra support to foster homes

Decisions On Setting Some Basic Foster Rules

You’ll want to make sure your foster approval team is aware of the rules for when they call to screen fosters

1. Quarantine 2. Indoor only – 100% indoor to prevent losing them or injury etc. 3. Live within X amount of minutes of the shelter/vet services. 4. Who to contact for medical needs and how to get them taken care

of5. How many cats can one foster home have (2 cage rule)

6. What to do if a foster’s personal animals aren’t neutered/vaccinated/etc.

Keep It Simple!Keep it simple for fosters to sign up,

and avoid lots of loop holes. • Vet References, calling

landlords, home visits – sound good on paper, not great in practice.

• The vast majority of people are not abusive/neglectful

• Prevent hoarding/overload – your primary thing to worry about

• Educate your fosters - the best way to ensure they will provide good care!

Getting Started: Communication Tools For Staying in Touch With Fosters

Somewhere to plea animals from the shelter so fosters can know who needs saved as well as foster to foster transfers.

Somewhere to send out rule changes or announcements (i.e. we have open spaces at the PetCo cattery!)

Yahoo groups Google groups Facebook (warm and fuzzy)

Yahoo Group

Google Groups

Facebook – try to keep it warm and fuzzy

How Do You Build A Foster Network?Okay now that you’ve got everything you need to manage your fosters,

how the heck do you find anyone willing to do it?

• Craigslist • Facebook • Flyers • Volunteers/Staff• Your website • Adopters• Email everyone you know, ask them to forward to everyone they

know

Craigslist Ad General Recruitment

Craigslist – Targeted Ad

Facebook Post

Recruitment Flyer

Website

See Cat Foster 2.0 presentation for information on maintaining the foster program once you

have started it!

Thanks For Coming!