There are lots of ways to make a difference in our organization, but fostering is without a doubt one of the most impactful. All of our cats are fostered in private homes when they are not in the store. This helps ensure that they get plenty of love and attention while waiting for their forever home! Without our fosters it would be impossible for us to do what we do, they’re the bread and butter of Cat Crusaders and are instrumental in helping us save as many lives as we do.
Help make a difference in a meaningful way
As much as you may want to give every cat and kitten that you see a home, we realize that there’s a limit to how many permanent pets you can feasibly have in your home. Fostering is the perfect way to fulfill this need on a temporary basis. You’ll bring cats and kittens into your home, have the opportunity to nurture them, care for them, and love on them, all the while preparing them for the day that they find their forever home. You’ll forever be an integral part of their journey, even long after they’re gone!
The more you foster, the more we can save.
Each and every day thousands of cats and kittens are euthanized. Shelters are at max capacity, and our organization is only as large as the amount of fosters that we have. By opening up your home, you give us the ability to save more cats and kittens from euthanasia or a life on the streets. It’s the greatest gesture you can make, and one that will change the lives of these felines forever!
In order to foster, all your pets must be current on shots and fixed. In addition, you need to have a separate room for your fosters. We provide you with food, litter, medical care for your fosters, and a support system. YOU provide your fosters with a separate space apart from your other animals for their initial transition into your own, transportation to and from the vet, transportation to and from PetSmart, and lots of love.
Fostering Guidelines
While fostering cat(s)/kittens for Cat Crusaders, the organization requires that you provide the following while they are in your care:
That you provide a safe, loving, and clean environment for your foster
That you provide transportation to/from the Cat Crusaders’ veterinarian, if required
That you provide transportation to/from the New Tampa PetSmart when your foster is scheduled to be shown (the Foster Coordinator and medical team will determine when your foster is eligible to come to the store)
That you provide medical treatment for your foster as needed (administer monthly flea medicine, prescribed medications, etc.)
That you keep your foster indoors at all times
That you agree not to promise your foster to anyone without obtaining prior permission from the Cat Crusaders foster coordinator
*Note: Only Cat Crusaders is permitted to execute the adoption of your foster.
Your Role In Rescue
Foster cat(s)/kitten(s) are considered property of Cat Crusaders. You will be fostering the cat(s)/kitten(s) assigned to you and will bring them to the PetSmart Adoption Center to be shown, as requested by the Cat Crusaders foster coordinator. All cats and kittens shown at the PetSmart Adoption Center by Cat Crusaders must be healthy, spayed or neutered, flea-free, tested for FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus), and FeLv (Feline Leukemia Virus), current on vaccines, de-wormed, and microchipped. The Cat Crusader’s foster coordinator will work with you to determine the medical status of your cat(s)/kitten(s) and what needs to be done to prepare them to be shown.
Cat Crusaders Adoption Center Partnership
Cat Crusaders is an approved PetSmart Charities® Adoption Partner and, within the guidelines provided by PetSmart, is permitted to temporarily house and show cats and kittens for adoption at the New Tampa PetSmart store located 6248 Commerce Palms Drive, Tampa, FL 33647.
Cat Crusaders Foster Support
In support and consideration of fostering cat(s)/kitten(s) for Cat Crusaders, the organization will provide you with cat/kitten food and medical attention for a sick cat/kitten as needed and approved by Cat Crusaders.
Have additional questions? Email our foster coordinator at foster@tampacatcrusaders.org.