Kittens of all ages are brought to the shelter, ranging from only a few hours old to 8+ weeks of age.

If you’ve never fostered a bottle-baby before, it can feel intimidating to start. When you sign up to foster, our foster team will give you the training you need to succeed. If you’re interested in learning more right now, here’s a video overview that takes you step by step on how to bottle feed.

It depends! Kittens typically start eating wet food and are weaned from the bottle at around 4 to 5 weeks of age. By this time, they begin to show interest in solid food and can gradually transition from bottle-feeding to eating wet food mixed with kitten formula, eventually moving to just wet food.

When you sign up to foster with CAC, all supplies needed will be provided to you when you take your foster home. This may include KMR or wet food, scale, heating disc, toys, litter, etc. As your foster ages, you can come in to pick up age-appropriate supplies.

1. Bottle Babies: KMR (milk replacement), bottles, scale, heating disc
2. 4-8 weeks: scale, litter, food, toys

1. Reduces Overcrowding: By moving kittens into foster homes, shelters can free up space to care for other animals in need.
2. Improves Health: It is unsafe for kittens under 8 weeks to be in the shelter. Kittens in foster care are less likely to contract illnesses common in crowded shelters, leading to healthier kittens.
3. Socialization: Foster homes provide a nurturing environment where kittens can be socialized, making them more adoptable.
4. Individual Attention: Foster caregivers can provide the round-the-clock care that young kittens need, which shelters may not have the resources to offer.
5. Better Outcomes: Kittens in foster care often have better physical and emotional outcomes, increasing their chances of being adopted into permanent homes.

Overall, fostering kittens significantly enhances their well-being and boosts the shelter's capacity to help more animals.

Fading Kitten Syndrome (FKS) is a term used to describe a condition in which newborn kittens experience a sudden and unexplained decline in health, leading to weakness and often death. This syndrome can affect kittens as young as a few days old, and its causes can be multifactorial, including:

1. Inadequate Nutrition: Kittens may not receive enough milk or proper nutrition, leading to weakness and failure to thrive.
2. Infections: Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can severely impact a kitten’s health.
3. Hypothermia: Kittens are highly susceptible to cold, and improper temperature regulation can be fatal.
4. Congenital Issues: Some kittens may be born with health issues or defects that lead to poor health and fading.
5. Maternal Issues: Problems with the mother cat, such as insufficient milk production or neglect, can contribute to the syndrome.

Early intervention and supportive care, including proper feeding, warmth, and veterinary attention, are crucial to managing and preventing Fading Kitten Syndrome.

Yes! We recommend slow introductions, especially if your pets at home are not used to kittens. Give both your pets and the kittens a safe spot to return to for breaks. Never leave the kittens and your resident pets unsupervised together.

Tracking your foster kittens' weight is crucial for several reasons:

1. Monitor Growth: Regular weight checks ensure that kittens are growing at a healthy rate. Healthy weight gain indicates proper nutrition and overall health. Based on their growth rate, you can adjust their feeding schedule as needed.
2. Detect Health Issues: Sudden weight loss or failure to gain weight can signal health problems such as infections, malnutrition, or developmental issues that require prompt medical attention.
3. Evaluate Development: Weight trends can provide insights into the kittens' development and help identify any potential delays or concerns early on. Regular weight records provide valuable data for our medical team, aiding in better care decisions and treatment plans.

Kitten season refers to the time of year when the birth rate of kittens spikes, typically during the warmer months, from late spring to early fall. During this period, shelters and rescue organizations experience an influx of newborn kittens and pregnant cats. This surge is due to several factors:

1. Breeding Patterns: Warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours encourage cats to breed more frequently.
2. Outdoor Cats: Feral and stray cats often reproduce during this time, leading to higher numbers of kittens.
3. Unplanned Litters: Many unspayed cats give birth to litters, adding to the number of kittens in shelters.

Kitten season can strain resources at shelters, making it crucial for foster caregivers to help provide temporary homes for these young animals and assist in their care until they are old enough to be adopted.

Common illnesses that kittens may have when brought to the shelter include:

1. Diarrhea: Often caused by dietary changes, infections, or parasites.
2. Upper Respiratory Infections (URI): Symptoms include sneezing, nasal discharge, and coughing, often due to viral or bacterial infections.
3. Ringworm: A fungal infection that causes circular, hairless patches on the skin. While less common, it can occur.
4. Panleukopenia: Also known as feline distemper, it’s a severe viral infection that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and immune system suppression. It’s less common due to vaccinations but still a concern.

Prompt veterinary care and proper treatment are essential to managing these conditions and ensuring the health and well-being of the kittens.