How Fostering Works:

When you first contact Feline Friends you will be asked to leave your name, contact details and a brief message, in your case that you would like to foster a cat.

The Homing and Fostering Coordinator will then call you back and ask you some simple questions which will help her select a cat/kitten which best suits your home situation. Questions such as:

1. The type of accommodation you live in e.g apartment or villa? (a cat used to living in a villa may find it hard to adjust to an apartment)

2. Do you have any other pets in your home. another cat, dog, caged bird, hamster, gold fish etc? (some cats do not like sharing with another ,some need another cat for company, some may be terrified of dogs ,or want to eat your smaller pets unless kept out of reach!)

3. Have you ever owned a cat before either in the U.A.E or your home country? (a first time cat owner will be given advice on cat care etc).

4. Have you children and what are their ages? ( a very young kitten is not advisable if you have very young children both for the child and for the kitten's well being. Foster homes with children are greatly sought after though as it is a great learning experience for the children and a child friendly cat is more easily adopted.)

5. Do you work long hours? An adult cat would be better for you since a younger kitten needs to be fed several times a day and needs more human interaction than an adult cat to ensure it grows enjoying human company. Alternatively, two cats rather than one may be a good solution if you are not at home for long periods as they will amuse each other.

6. Do you personally have any preference of type of cat? Some foster mums specialize in hand rearing orphaned kittens, some mums are experienced in long haired cats which require more grooming, some will take on a less attractive cat who may take longer to find a home purely because they would like to have the cat for a long spell. Others may request smaller kittens that usually find homes more quickly as this prevents them from becoming too attached to the cat.

7. Is there a specific time span you can foster for? Some short stay visitors to the U.A.E will foster for as little as 2 weeks and this can sometimes mean the difference between life or death for a cat during the summer months . Other foster parents are willing to foster the same cat for years..

What are Feline Friends Responsibilities?

1. We will have the cat/kitten you foster health checked before you take it home. If it is old enough it will already have been sterilized but if while you are fostering it the cat reaches approximately 4 1/2 5 months of age we will arrange for the cat to be sterilized at either the American or British vet.

2. If at any time the cat appears unwell we will arrange for it to be given a health check at either clinic and Feline Friends will cover any medical charges.

3. If you go away on vacation and are unable to make arrangements for the cat to be looked after in your home we will arrange for the cat to be moved to a new location for this period. (please give us as much notice in advance when you are going away) .

4. If the cat you have been assigned does not blend in with you home situation please call the Homing line and discuss the problem. If it cannot be solved we will remove the cat and if you so wish will find you a different foster cat. ( do not suffer/ worry in silence)

5. If you decide you want to adopt the cat you are fostering please call the Homing and Fostering coordinator to take your cat off our Homing Files.

6. In some cases we may be able to loan you a covered litter tray if you are only fostering for a short time and do not have a cat of your own.

What is the difference between Fostering and Adopting a Feline Friends cat?

If you foster a cat for us you are responsible for providing it a safe and loving environment, food and water .We take care of its veterinary expenses and must find temporary accommodation for it while you are away on vacation. From time to time you will receive calls from prospective adoptive parents who wish to come and see the cat and you can arrange a time that is convenient to you. If you feel the person/family is not suitable to adopt your foster cat you are within your rights not to let them take the cat from you since you will have had an opportunity to see how they react with the cat. (Please inform the Homing and Fostering Coordinator your reasons for not letting them adopt.).If you prefer not to have someone come to your home (you may be a single person who does not feel comfortable with strangers coming to your home), we can arrange for the cat to be viewed at the American Veterinary Clinic but obviously the cat may not be as relaxed in this environment and may not be adopted. Depending on the age and appearance/ personality etc. of the cat you have you may foster her for anything from between 1 day to 1½ years!!

info@felinefriendsuae.com