If you are looking to add a little more love to your home, then you have come to the right place. 4Paws is an all-volunteer rescue group that takes in homeless cats and kittens.
2. If you are looking to add a little more love to your
home, then you have come to the right place.
4Paws is an all-volunteer rescue group that takes
in homeless cats and kittens. Foster families
provide temporary homes for cats and kittens
until they’re adopted through our website or in-
person adoption fairs. 4Paws not only rescues
local cats, but we also reach out to high-kill
shelters that are in dire situations and cannot
handle the overpopulation crisis. Yes, it’s a
commitment, but it’s one that has huge rewards!
Welcome to the 4Paws Foster Program
3. Thank you for your interest in the 4Paws Foster
Program! A few FAQs to start…
❖What costs are covered?
❖ 4Paws covers the cost of veterinary treatment at a 4Paws partner vet. All vet visits must be pre-authorized by 4Paws. We work
with a number of vets in Northern Virginia. Fosters will be notified when a vaccination, microchip, or spay/neuter needs to be
scheduled.
❖What costs will I be responsible for?
❖ Food (unless the cat eats prescription food, which 4Paws will provide)
❖ Litter and a litter box
❖ Cat bed and toys
❖Where should I keep my foster cat?
❖ Please keep your foster cat in a separate room that’s nice and quiet with a comfy place to sleep; being in a separate room will
help the cat feel safe and comfortable. Some cats will need to stay in the room where they start, permanently separated from
other pets. In some cases, you may be able to gradually introduce your foster cat to other pets. We can advise you on how to
properly integrate your foster cat, if appropriate.
❖Can I take my foster cat outside?
❖ Your foster cat must be kept inside at all times. It’s also important that you not allow access to open windows—even partially
opened windows with screens; cats are quite good at maneuvering their way through small openings!
Keep in mind that your foster cat may be scared and is uncertain about what happens next. This is your
opportunity to ensure that they feel safe, secure and loved!
4. 4Paws makes every effort to deliver healthy cats to foster homes. Rescue cats are commonly pulled from
shelters where they may have been exposed to something, such as an upper respiratory infection (URI).
Because you will spend more time with them than shelter employees, you may also discover that
something is bothering them, such as itchy ears, diarrhea, etc.
We provide the following standard services to all incoming cats:
❖ Distemper vaccines
❖ Rabies vaccine at 13-16 weeks of age
❖ Treat for fleas and worms
❖ Test for FIV and Feline Leukemia
❖ Spay/neuter after 5 months of age
❖ Microchip
What assurance do I have that my new foster cat is
healthy?
5. These responsibilities help to ensure that 4Paws rescue cats find their permanent families as soon as
possible.
❖Taking your foster cat for a pre-authorized vet visit
Kittens will require multiple vet visits as they become old enough for certain vet care. In addition, your cat may become ill and
require a visit to one of our partner vet offices.
❖Creating and updating a foster cat biography
Who knows your foster cat better than you? After a foster cat has been placed with you, you will be asked to submit an initial
biographical write-up and periodic updates for the website and social media to showcase your foster.
❖ Transferring your foster cat
You may be asked to move your foster cat to an adoption habitat at one of our partner stores (Petco or Pet Supplies Plus) or the
Meows Corner Cat Cafe. Only cats with suitable temperaments that are easy to handle are taken to these locations.
(continued…)
Fostering is not only about providing love and care for
a cat, it comes with additional responsibilities . . .
6. ❖Participation in adoption fairs
Many 4Paws cats are adopted through our web site (www.fourpaws.org); others are discovered by their forever families at a 4Paws
adoption fair. Fosters are asked to bring their foster cat to adoption fairs once or twice a month. We hold adoption fairs at three stores on
a rotating schedule: Fairfax Petco, Sterling Petco and Pet Supplies Plus in Falls Church. The adoption fair schedule is advertised at the
following URL: www.fourpaws.org/pages/adopting_pages/locations.html. Note: Adoption fairs have been canceled for the foreseeable
future due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
❖Introducing your foster cat to potential adopters
You may be asked to allow interested adopters to visit your foster cat in your home at a mutually convenient time. If you prefer to meet
outside of your home, we usually suggest that the foster and potential adopter meet at one of our partner pet stores. However, you should
know that your foster cat will be most comfortable and show best in your home where their surroundings are familiar to them. Interested
adopters must be approved to adopt before meeting a cat in a foster’s home. Note: Most interested adopters are meeting foster cats via
zoom or another similar platform during the COVID-19 pandemic.
. . . additional responsibilities (continued)
We make every effort to make fostering a positive experience. If for some reason your foster cat is not a
good match for you or your family, please let us know. Please understand that this may be difficult to do
quickly and we ask for your patience.
7. Ready to foster a cat?
Carefully review, sign and submit the following forms to your 4Paws Foster Coordinator.
4Paws Foster Contract
4Paws Volunteer Release
4Paws Transportation Form
8. Thank you!
Please let us
know if you
have any
questions.
Telephone: 703-715-MEOW (6369)
Fax: 703-560-9795
Email: info@fourpaws.org
