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Cats and Kittens are placed into the Dubuque Regional Human Society's (DRHS) foster program for the following reasons:

• Age

• Underweight

• Orphaned

• Nursing

• Medical issues
   

The general rule is that kittens must be two months old and weigh two pounds or more before being ready for spay/neuter surgery and adoption. Once kittens are the proper weight and age and are healthy, they must be returned to the DRHS to begin the adoption process.
 

Time Commitment

Foster cats all have different needs and requirements depending on the situation. It is a general rule that the minimum time requirement for adult felines is 1 hour per day. Of course, foster families can always spend more time cuddling and loving their fosters!
 

Supplies Needed
The DRHS provides all the supplies needed for fostering cats and kittens. It is the responsibility of the foster family to pick up supplies when needed.
 

Cat and Kitten Medical Schedule

All cats and kittens are vaccinated, treated for worms/parasites, and spayed/neutered before they are made available for adoption.
 

Medical Schedule

It is the responsibility of the foster and the DRHS vet staff to maintain each cat and kitten’s medical schedule. The vet staff and Manager of Volunteer & Foster Engagement will establish a monthly schedule with the foster parent to ensure that vaccinations, worming, flea/tick, and other medical needs are met in a timely fashion.
 

Things to observe:

• Abnormal stools (blood, parasites, diarrhea)

• Lethargy, loss of weight, not eating

• Sneezing, coughing, abnormal breathing

• Vomiting

• Eye discharge
   

If any symptoms arise, it is important to contact the manager of volunteer and foster engagement as soon as possible. We have vet staff on site daily, please do not take foster animals to your personal veterinary clinic unless you have communicated with the manager of volunteer and foster engagement.