Here’s a list of questions to help you know when your foster kitten is ready for their forever home.
How Old is the Kitten?
Kittens need to be at least 8 weeks old before they’re ready for adoption. This is the age when young kittens finally start to look more like a miniature version of a fully grown cat, as opposed to resembling things like round-bellied aliens or fluffy bats. 🙂 At 8 weeks, you’ll notice that your foster kitten is becoming much more socially established and playful. Now they’re a true mini-predator!
How Healthy Are They?
In general, the kitten’s eyes, ears, nose, mouth, skin, and digestion should be visibly healthy. Their bodies should also be clear from infections, viruses, injuries, and parasites. Shelters will typically place kittens on a medical hold if one or more issues are present. A good bill of health in addition to age, however, will make a kitten eligible for their spay or neuter surgery.
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Any contribution is greatly appreciated!
– $6.00 allows us to buy a bag of litter
– $25 helps us buy 12 cans of cat food
– $100+ allows us to fund general medical procedures for any felines that we foster on our own
Thank you so much for considering a donation! 🙂
Any contribution is greatly appreciated!
– $6.00 allows us to buy a bag of litter
– $25 helps us buy 12 cans of cat food
– $100+ allows us to fund general medical procedures for any felines that we foster on our own
Thank you so much for considering a donation! 🙂
Any contribution is greatly appreciated!
– $6.00 allows us to buy a bag of litter
– $25 helps us buy 12 cans of cat food
– $100+ allows us to fund general medical procedures for any felines that we foster on our own
Thank you so much for considering a donation! 🙂
How Much Does the Kitten Weigh?
Kittens must weigh at least 2 pounds before they’re adopted. 2 pounds is the minimum weight a kitten needs to be in order to be safely eligible for a spay or neuter surgery, and shelters will not adopt out animals who have not had these alterations.
How Do They Respond to Humans?
This question is much more subjective than the previous ones. You know your foster kitten best, so please try to judge this honestly. Kittens are more likely to be adopted into their forever homes when their instincts are to be curious, playful, and cuddly with humans.
That being said, all kittens have different personalities. One foster kitten might be super confident and run up to each person they meet, while another may always need to quietly observe and sniff out the situation for a minute or two.
Behaviors with humans to watch out for include hiding, cowering, hissing, and growling. These behavioral signs could indicate that the kitten is uncomfortable with a specific person, but it more likely means that the kitten needs to spend more time in foster care being socialized.
So, Is Your Foster Kitten Ready?
If you’re unsure about any of these questions, your foster kitten may not be ready for adoption quite yet.
If all of these points sound like the kitten in your care, then your foster kitten is almost set for their forever home! Don’t forget to work with a veterinarian to schedule a spay/neuter surgery, during which your vet can insert a microchip and get the kitten on a vaccine schedule, and then your kitten will be ready to go!
Exploring animal welfare one foster kitten at a time
The Kitten Koop 
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