Kitten Army Frequently Asked Questions
Click here to download the 2016 Kitten Army Brochure.
Q: What is Kitten Army?
Kitten Army is a volunteer run program for Animal Care and Protective Services. Our goals are to recruit, educate, support and retain new foster parents for the ACPS Foster program during "kitten season."
Q: What is "kitten season" and why does it matter?
Kitten Season is the term used to describe the months of March to November (in Florida - other states have a shorter span) where unfixed cats reproduce kittens. These kittens will enter the shelter by the thousands. They are too young to stay in the shelter and have a chance at survival. Their only option is to find foster homes. Foster homes temporarily take in kittens until they are 2 lbs. At 2 lbs, they are returned to the shelter for adoption.
Q: How can I help?
The best way to help is to provide a foster home for underage kittens. Click here to get started. If you cannot foster, please consider a donation to help others who can. We are always in need of these items.
Q: How do I sign up to foster?
Complete this application and return it to Animal Care and Protective Services. (Directions for return are on the form.)
Q: What is required of foster parents?
Q: Does it cost money to foster?
There is no charge to be a foster parent. All veterinary care (spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchip, necessary medication) is provided by ACPS. Supplies for neonatal kittens, such as but not limited to, kitten milk formula, bottles, syringes, and warming discs, are provided to foster parents. Other supplies, such as food for older kittens and litter, are given as they are available. We rely on donations for these items, so we provide them when we are able. Most fosters are sent home with at least 3-4 days of food for older kittens.
Q: Do I have to find homes for the kittens?
It is not required! You are welcome to find homes (or even adopt one yourself!) but after kittens return to the shelter for spay/neuter surgery, they are placed in the adoption center at ACPS.
Q: What if I want to adopt my foster kittens? Can I still foster?
Yes and yes. Your first ACPS foster adoption is free! Many of our foster families have multi-pet households. Kittens must be kept separate from family pets for at least 2 weeks.
Q: I have other pets. Can I still foster?
Yes. Please make sure that your pets are up to date on their vaccinations. Foster kittens must be kept separate from family pets for at least 2 weeks, and should not be left unsupervised with dogs or cats at any time. Many of our foster parents keep their kittens in large dog crates, spare bathrooms, bedrooms, walk-in closets or laundry rooms.
Q: What if something goes wrong while I have the kittens? What if I have questions?
In addition to providing boot camp training, we have a large network of soldiers to help you. We can guide you in the case of an emergency, and you will join a group of caring, compassionate, and like-minded individuals. Many of our foster parents are friends and enjoy spending time together! You are never alone with Kitten Army.
Q: What should I do if I find a litter of kittens?
It is not uncommon to find a nest of kittens this time of year. Our first instinct as humans is to rescue, but we must remember that mother kittens do not often abandon their kittens. Many times, the mother cat is nearby, looking for food. Watch the nest for a few hours to see if mother returns. If she does return, the best chance kittens have is to stay with their mother. If you take the kittens, or mother and kittens, please remember that you must see the project through to the end. Kittens brought to a shelter without a mother cat must find a foster home the same day - that foster could be you! If you bring kittens to the shelter, ask about fostering them.
For a more in-depth look at Kitten Army fostering, please attend a Boot Camp session or contact us.
Q: What is Kitten Army?
Kitten Army is a volunteer run program for Animal Care and Protective Services. Our goals are to recruit, educate, support and retain new foster parents for the ACPS Foster program during "kitten season."
Q: What is "kitten season" and why does it matter?
Kitten Season is the term used to describe the months of March to November (in Florida - other states have a shorter span) where unfixed cats reproduce kittens. These kittens will enter the shelter by the thousands. They are too young to stay in the shelter and have a chance at survival. Their only option is to find foster homes. Foster homes temporarily take in kittens until they are 2 lbs. At 2 lbs, they are returned to the shelter for adoption.
Q: How can I help?
The best way to help is to provide a foster home for underage kittens. Click here to get started. If you cannot foster, please consider a donation to help others who can. We are always in need of these items.
Q: How do I sign up to foster?
Complete this application and return it to Animal Care and Protective Services. (Directions for return are on the form.)
Q: What is required of foster parents?
- Foster parents must provide basic husbandry (food, water, shelter) to foster pets.
- All veterinary care is provided by Animal Care and Protective Services.
- Foster parents need to bring kittens under 16 weeks to the shelter every 2 weeks for a check up and vaccines.
- Kittens must be kept until they are 2 lbs (approximately 8 weeks of age) and then can be returned to the shelter for adoption.
- All foster parents must abide by the protocol provided by Animal Care and Protective Services, which is provided to approved fosters.
Q: Does it cost money to foster?
There is no charge to be a foster parent. All veterinary care (spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchip, necessary medication) is provided by ACPS. Supplies for neonatal kittens, such as but not limited to, kitten milk formula, bottles, syringes, and warming discs, are provided to foster parents. Other supplies, such as food for older kittens and litter, are given as they are available. We rely on donations for these items, so we provide them when we are able. Most fosters are sent home with at least 3-4 days of food for older kittens.
Q: Do I have to find homes for the kittens?
It is not required! You are welcome to find homes (or even adopt one yourself!) but after kittens return to the shelter for spay/neuter surgery, they are placed in the adoption center at ACPS.
Q: What if I want to adopt my foster kittens? Can I still foster?
Yes and yes. Your first ACPS foster adoption is free! Many of our foster families have multi-pet households. Kittens must be kept separate from family pets for at least 2 weeks.
Q: I have other pets. Can I still foster?
Yes. Please make sure that your pets are up to date on their vaccinations. Foster kittens must be kept separate from family pets for at least 2 weeks, and should not be left unsupervised with dogs or cats at any time. Many of our foster parents keep their kittens in large dog crates, spare bathrooms, bedrooms, walk-in closets or laundry rooms.
Q: What if something goes wrong while I have the kittens? What if I have questions?
In addition to providing boot camp training, we have a large network of soldiers to help you. We can guide you in the case of an emergency, and you will join a group of caring, compassionate, and like-minded individuals. Many of our foster parents are friends and enjoy spending time together! You are never alone with Kitten Army.
Q: What should I do if I find a litter of kittens?
It is not uncommon to find a nest of kittens this time of year. Our first instinct as humans is to rescue, but we must remember that mother kittens do not often abandon their kittens. Many times, the mother cat is nearby, looking for food. Watch the nest for a few hours to see if mother returns. If she does return, the best chance kittens have is to stay with their mother. If you take the kittens, or mother and kittens, please remember that you must see the project through to the end. Kittens brought to a shelter without a mother cat must find a foster home the same day - that foster could be you! If you bring kittens to the shelter, ask about fostering them.
For a more in-depth look at Kitten Army fostering, please attend a Boot Camp session or contact us.