Are you thinking of fostering cats? Do you live in Perth or in other parts of Western Australia? If you answered YES to both questions, you’ve come to the right place! This handy Waldo’s Friends compilation is all you need to get started. It gives a rundown of animal rescue groups you can assist, online communities you can sign up with, and additional resources you can review to improve your cat fostering experience.
But before we dive right in, what exactly is pet fostering? Fostering is an integral part of animal rescue. The act involves temporarily taking in a rescue cat, dog, or farm animal in need of extra support. With the foster parent’s love and guidance, the animal becomes physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. When the foster cat is finally ready, it can then be made available for adoption.
This blog post contains information on:
Rescues in need of cat foster carers
Below is a list of cat rescues found in Western Australia that are constantly searching for new and experienced foster carers. The cats they take in vary, and their ages range from neonatal kittens to ageing cats. Some rescues also need additional foster parents during kitten season, which usually takes place from November to early April in Perth.
If you’re applying as a foster parent for the first time, you’ll most likely need to fill out an application form. You’ll need to reveal information such as your age, living arrangements, companions (humans as well as pets), work hours, lifestyle, and cat care experience.
Perth
- 9 Lives Cat Rescue
- Deedlebug Cat Rescue
- H.A.A.R.T (Homeless and Abused Animal Rescue Team)
- Impound Feline Rescue
- Perth Rescue Angels Inc
Western Australia
- Animal Protection Society of WA
- Cat Haven
- Don’t Go Astray Inc
- Mid West Cat Shelter, Inc.
- PAWS Cat Rescue Inc
- RSPCA WA
- SAFE (Saving Animals From Euthanasia)
- SAFE Perth (Saving Perth Animals from Euthanasia)
- Saving Animals Matters
- WA Pet Project
- WISH Animal Rescue Team
Get updates regarding WA-based rescues that need foster carers by checking this PetRescue list on a regular basis.
Facebook groups to join
Click the Join button of these virtual communities, so you can meet and interact with other feline-loving volunteers:
- Adopt/Foster/Rehome – Pets in Need Australia – With 81K members and counting, this Facebook group helps animal rescue groups connect with pet foster parents and possible adopters.
- Adopting & Fostering Pets (Aust.) – Reposts on rescue animals ready for adoption or requiring foster care are found on this page.
- Animal Foster Carers, Perth WA – More than just foster parents, veterinarians, local shelters, and rescue groups are welcome to join this group.
- Animal Foster Carer Network Australia – This closed Facebook group formed in 2014 continues to help animal rescue groups find reliable fosters.
- CAT NETWORK AUSTRALIA – Rescue/foster/adopt/BARN Cats – A relatively new group formed in 2021, this public community is all about helping rescue cats across Australia.
- Foster Carers Express (for animals only) – This public Facebook community goes beyond Australia and encourages pet foster parents from New Zealand to join their network.
- Perth Animal Foster Carers – With over 1,000 members, this Perth-based group invites pet foster carers from various rescues to share ideas and stories to inspire the entire fostering community.
- Wellard Cat Chat – Rehome, Foster, Lost & Found – This page was made specifically for cat lovers located in Bertram and Baldivis. It was formed to provide info on cats that need to be rehomed or fostered, as well as missing and found kitties.
If you’re already a volunteer for a rescue or shelter in WA, you may want to join their Facebook group:
- 9 Lives Foster Carers – This online group is exclusively for 9 Lives Foster Carers. Here, they can post enquiries, receive valuable information, and stay updated with the rescue’s activities.
- Adopted Cats of Cat Haven – In this private space, Cat Haven fosters and adopters connect to share photos and stories of their rescues.
- Cat Haven Foster Carers – Open for Cat Haven foster carers, this group was set up so that volunteers can share their experiences and ask for general advice.
Cat fostering resources to read
Care for your feline ward in the best way possible. Read these online resources to gain more knowledge.
Guides from Impound Feline Rescue
Downloadable guides from Cat Haven
- Foster carer handbook
- Health guides (cat fight wounds, cat flu, diarrhea, and ringworm)
Guides from Deedlebug Cat Rescue
- Dealing with stray cats and kittens
- Caring for cats and kittens
Guides from Waldo’s Friends
- Clean your cat’s eyes safely
- Groom a cat with ease
- Give your foster cat a shower the right way
- Find out if a cat is pregnant
- Help a pregnant cat
- Make kitty glop and bottle feed correctly
- Pet your foster cat without worries
- Properly handle a cat that likes to bites
- Remove fleas on your cat
TIP: Be a responsible foster carer by checking out the state’s cat law guidelines.
Foster carers are an integral part of animal rescue. Without these volunteers, rescue groups and no-kill shelters would have a hard time accepting abandoned, sick, orphaned, and stray animals. It may seem like a time-consuming and exhausting role, but it truly is a rewarding and fulfilling experience for many.
We hope this Waldo’s Friends blog post compels you to foster cats in Western Australia. If you still need some convincing, check out our amazing foster tales.
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