FOSTER FOR CAT TOWN

Make a meaningful difference


Often, the cats who shut down in a shelter setting need a home-like environment to feel safe and let their personalities shine. For these at-risk cats, fostering saves lives. Many cats relax in a matter of days after arriving in foster homes. Others may need more time and encouragement to build trust.

We'll match you with a cat who’s right for your interest and experience, and provide the supplies and guidance you’ll need to get your foster cat adopted. All you need to become a Cat Town foster is a calm home, patience, kindness, and time!

We always have a need for experienced fosters, especially if you have a history with:

  • Cats who are fearful or may hide

  • Cats who may sometimes nip/swat

  • Cats who require medication


So that our team can offer all of our foster volunteers plenty of support, we currently limit our fostering radius to Oakland and adjacent cities. To learn more, complete our Foster Inquiry form below!

 
 

Cats Needing Foster

Cat Town identifies the cats in most need of support at the shelter: those who are struggling with life in a cage, who need extra medical care, or require a little more patience to help them find their confidence. The following cats are waiting for a foster home so they can have a better chance at adoption. Can you help them on their journey?

GANDALF, 10 Years, MALE

Gandalf is a very sweet boy who’s having a hard time building trust. He was sick and injured when he was surrendered at a dog rescue, where he received medical treatment before coming into our care. Gandalf is a confident lap cat who can get overwhelmed by too much petting and will need a foster who can understand his body language. He’s on a special diet and takes daily medication, as well. We can tell he’s feeling overwhelmed and would be much happier in a foster home!

VENUS, 5 Years, FEMALE

Venus would do well with a moderately experienced foster — and even a home with cat-savvy teens! Venus startles easily, is shy with strangers, and is on a special diet. She enjoys limited soft petting, but can can get overwhelmed by too much touch. What she really needs is calm to help her feel safe. It took this shy girl an extra couple weeks to adjust to a new environment, but once she did, she showed herself to be an affectionate, playful lap cat! She’s ready to adopt, but a foster home will help her thrive while she waits for the right person to fall in love.

GUMBO & CHOWDER, 11 Years, MALES

Gumbo and Chowder lived their whole lives together, but now they’re in need of support for the next part of their journey. Their previous guardian let us know, “please be patient with Gumbo. It will take him some time to come around, but once he trusts you, you are golden in his eye.”

Chowder is the more confident brother in this pair, but both boys have been through a lot of change recently, and are very fearful. Chowder was lap cat with his guardian, and liked petting on his head and cheeks.

This pair need a patient, big-hearted foster in a calm home who can help them find their footing — someone who knows a hiss can simply mean “I need more time.” If you think you might be the one to help Gumbo and Chowder, ask about fostering them today!

 
 

“When I tell people that I’m fostering, many of them say they couldn’t do it because it would be hard to say goodbye. I don’t think people who foster have some magical ability to disconnect. I feel sad AND happy when people come to meet my foster cat. But fostering is so necessary! There are so many great cats who just can’t show their best side in a shelter or an adoption center. I think it’s really cool to see shy or reactive cats come out of their shell when you foster.”
— Michelle, Cat Town Foster

“Fostering cats through Cat Town has been such an uplifting experience. It's truly rewarding to witness how important a comfortable, non-cage environment and daily human interactions are for shyer cats. The people at Cat Town are supportive, knowledgeable, hands-on, address all questions and continuously replenish supplies. Cat Town connects us to cats in need, and it has been so satisfying to express our love for them by partnering with such a caring organization.”

— Anonymous Cat Town Foster

“Something I didn’t expect to happen at Cat Town was that I would learn to fall in love over and over and over again and that something like that could be so delightfully infinite.”
— Taryn, Cat Town Foster

“The cats come to us — we don’t even have to leave the house to volunteer! And then our job is to play and cuddle. What’s not to love?”
— Prasad, Cat Town Foster

“Honestly, it's hard for me to think of fostering as volunteering. All the folks at Cat Town are so lovely and grateful, but I feel like I'm getting the better part of this deal. My fosters have been, generally, the cutest little floof-monsters in the world. I get to hang out with cute cats, and feel awesome about doing something good? Yes!!!”

— Staci, Cat Town Foster