Foster & Adoption Cycle

The goal is to get as many cats as possible healthy, socialized and adopted.

Every cat goes through the same process, some just take a little more effort and time to get to the adoption stage. TCR wants you to feel prepared and comfortable with the cats you are fostering & be knowledgeable about the adoption process.

The Foster & Adoption Process

Choose & Receive A Foster Cat From The Intake Coordinator

Once you're approved as a foster home, you'll be placed on a mailing list to receive updates of cats in need of foster. There is also a Google Doc that is updated frequently with a list of available cats. You can email Intake when you see a cat you're interested in fostering & can pick up in the next 24-48 hours. If the cat is removed from the list they have already been placed in a foster home. Kittens will not be placed with new foster homes, nor does TCR send a single kitten to a foster home.

Your cat may or may not be spayed/neutered when you get them.

You will need to pick the cat up or arrange with Intake for a driver. TCR will try their best to find a driver for you, however if you have friends or family that can help drive you it would be appreciated.

Connect with Your Foster Coordinator

You'll be assigned a foster coordinator (FC) when you receive your first cat. This will be your FC for as long as you foster with TCR. Your FC is your main point of contact for all things TCR-related. You'll be connected to them via email. it may take 24-48 hours for them to get your details and connect with you for your first foster cat. If you know who your FC is already, email them as soon as you get your new foster cat.

On occasion you may be assigned a new foster coordinator.

Post your Foster Cat For Adoption When Cleared By The Foster Coordinator

You & your FC will decide when your foster cat is ready to be posted for adoption. Cats need to be cleared from quarantine (at least 14 days), be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, have any medical issues under control and be socialized. It is okay for the cat to still be a 'work in progress' so long as the bio reflects this.

Submit their pics & bio through the form provided. It could take up to 48 hours for your cat to be listed on the adoption site. Feel free to boost the cats chances of being adopted by posting on your social media.

Sometimes your FC will advise that your foster cat will be sent to a store for adoption. See below for more details on how this works.

An Adoption Counsellor Contacts You When An Applicant For Adoption Has Been Approved

An adoption counsellor will connect you with an approved adopter for your foster cat via email. They will already be vetted & approved.

They will tell you a little about the potential adopter and ask for a 'meet & greet' to take place. This can be via the phone or a video call. TCR does not do in person cat meetings. Ideally the meet & greet should be within 24-48 hours of the connection email.

Remember to check your junk folder regulaly for an email from the adoption counsellor or potential adopter. You may be contacted by a different adoption counsellor each time.

Meet Online With Your Approved Adopter

You are responsible for communicating with the approved adopter & setting up a time to meet with them online to discuss your foster cat, and answer any questions they have. It may be helpful in the initial email to ask the adopter if they have any questions they would like to ask before the meeting. Sometime it helps to have some of the important information in writing - what they eat, litter they are using, any medications, any extra photos you have, etc.

Answer any of the questions the adopter asks honestly. You don't want to mislead the adopter on any issues the cat may have. See if you can get the cat showing on the video call. The adopter may appreciate seeing them live.

Let the adopter know if they wish to adopt the cat they should get in touch with the adoption counsellor, pay the adoption fee and fill in any forms needed.

Remember to keep the adoption counsellor updated on how the meeting went. If you have any concerns about the potential adopter, now is the time to let the adoption counsellor know.

Facilitate Pick Up After The Adoption Counsellor Confirms Adoption Has Been Finalised

AFTER the adoption counsellor confirms the paperwork & fee been received, you can set up a time with the adopter to pick up the cat. Do not arrange a time for pick up unless you have the confirmation email that the fee and forms have been submitted, paid & approved.

The adopter must provide their own carrier & transportation. Arrange a time and have them come to your home to pick up the cat. Take the carrier from them and let them know you will get the cat. You may want to give them a heads up on how long it can take to get the cat into the carrier. It is okay to have them wait outside if you are not comfortable letting them into your home. Make sure to give the adopter any medical records you have (or email them if you only have an electronic copy).

Remember to let the adoption counsellor & your FC know when pick up is complete. The kitty must be picked up within 7 days of approval or the hold will need to be released. If the adopter asks for more than 7 days, contact your FC for approval.

Choosing a Cat or Kittens. Can I Pick and Choose?

Yes! We do not want you to feel overwhelmed by taking a cat that you are not prepared for. We have all types of cases, from small bottle babies that require round the clock nursing or mellow adult & senior cats that just want some extra space to stretch their paws. The most common cases are:

Kittens too young and/or immature to be adopted.
Kittens and young cats that require more socialization than available at a shelter.
Older or senior cats that will be more comfortable in a home environment.
Injured cats and/or those recovering from surgery.
Neglected or abused cats that need tender loving care.
Cats suffering from “shelter stress” in need of a calming home environment.
Cats with colds or with special medical needs.
Abandoned mothers with litters of kittens.
Cats too big to fit comfortably in a shelter cage
Any cat when the shelter becomes overcrowded.

Most of the cats have come in as strays and TCR have very little history about them. What you read on the rescue list is all the information available. Behavioural issues or medical issues may arise once you are fostering the cat. Kittens will not be sent to new foster homes as experience or training are required for new born and young kittens.

Length Of Stay in Foster Homes

The average stay in a foster home is about 6 weeks. However, most kittens and some cats with great photos and stories on the web may stay only a few weeks. Others, recovering from an injury, and senior cats, may stay much longer. It completely depends on the cat and the situation.

Please note: In an effort to get cats adopted quickly so we can save more lives, our foster coordinators may make the decision to place the cats/kittens you are fostering in one of our pet store partners. With the increased exposure that cats have at the stores, adoption rates are improved.

Fostering More Cats or Kittens

If the cat(s) you are fostering are adopted, or you have additional space in your home, please contact your Foster Coordinator to advise that you are available to take in additional cats/kittens. TCR limits the number of foster cats we place in foster homes, but your Foster Coordinator will be able to advise based on your current occupancy.

Kitten season begins in early March, and runs until mid December. TCR is always looking for foster homes for moms and kittens.

Picking Up A Cat

If you drive and can pick up your new foster from TAS or the clinic that is greatly appreciated. The cat will likely be stressed so taking a few extra steps may be necessary.

Take a towel to cover over the carrier
Have a pee pad or towel in the carrier
Keep the music on something soothing
Have the temperature not too hot, not too cold
Talk to the cat in a low voice on the drive
Try Feliway on the towel (Don't spray on the cat)
If you don't drive or can't TTC ask Intake if they can arrange a driver for you.

Cats Going To A Store Or Event

When your cat or kitten is ready for adoption, your foster coordinator will make arrangements with you to have your foster cat(s) transferred to one of our retail partner locations. TCR does not use pet stores as a shelter; instead they act as a temporary placement to give cats extra exposure. This also opens space in a foster home to save another life.

Transferring your foster cat to a store is at the sole discretion of your foster coordinator. All kittens (except in rare extenuating circumstances) will be placed in stores for adoption as soon as they have had their spay/neuter surgery. During kitten season there are hundreds of kittens needing rescue at any given time and they are the most at risk population for euthanasia in shelters. Store adoptions are integral to our life-saving efforts as they dramatically decrease the length of time it takes for them to get adopted.

When you are advised by your foster coordinator that store space is open for your foster cat, please make every effort to facilitate the transfer as soon as possible. Ensure that you have a bio prepared and take good pictures before they leave. The store will rely on information that you provide to entice customers to adopt. Medical records must accompany the cat to the store so please check that you have them in your possession and advise your foster coordinator if you are missing them.

Leaving store cages open while shelter cages are full impacts our ability to save lives.

If your cat is being sent to an event for adoption, your FC will let you know the process.