🐾 Start Here: Foster Setup Essentials

Isolation & Environment




  • Keep kittens in a room separate from your pets.
  • Choose a space that can be easily disinfected, preferably without carpet.
  • Clean all supplies between litters.
  • Do not allow foster kittens to roam freely in your home.


Supplies: Neonatal Kittens


  • Lidless plastic tote
  • Heat source (heated disc provided)
  • Soft blankets
  • Stuffed toy for single babies
  • Breeder’s Edge Foster Care feline milk replacer
  • Bottles and Miracle nipples
  • Bottle brush
  • Baby wipes or tissues
  • Food scale to weigh kitten
  • 3–5cc syringes


Supplies: Kittens Over 3 Weeks Old

  • Covered playpen
  • Blankets
  • Shallow litter box
  • Non-clumping litter
  • Toys
  • Bed or hideaway
  • Food and water dishes
  • Disposable trays for wet food
  • Purina Kitten Chow
  • Fancy Feast wet kitten food
  • 5 cc syringes


🥣 Feeding & Growth

Proper feeding and weight monitoring are critical for healthy growth.
Use the chart below as a guide for feeding amounts and frequency.

Age Weight Amount Per Feeding Schedule
0-1 Weeks 50-150 grams 2-6 ml Every 2 Hours
1-2 Weeks 150-250 grams 6-10 ml Every 2-3 hours
2-3 Weeks 250-350 grams 10-14 ml Every 3-4 hours
3-4 Weeks 350-450 grams 14-18 ml Every 4-5 hours
4-5 weeks 450-550 grams 18-22 ml Every 5-6 hours
5-8 weeks 550-850 grams (weaning; offer ample wet food) every 6 hours

Key Feeding Notes

  • Weigh kittens regularly to ensure proper growth.
  • Feeding amounts should be adjusted based on weight and appetite.
  • As kittens begin eating solid food, bottle feeding will decrease.


Weaning Transition

As kittens approach 4–5 weeks:

  • Introduce wet kitten food.
  • Gradually reduce bottle feedings.
  • Provide access to fresh water.


🩺 Health Monitoring & When to Contact CAC

Monitor at Home

Continue normal care and monitoring if kittens are active, eating, and behaving normally.

Contact a Cat Tech

Contact a cat tech if you notice:

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Sneezing
  • Eye discharge
  • Not eating


Emergency Situations

If a kitten is severely injured or at risk of death:

  • Contact the director for approval before seeking emergency veterinary care.
  • The shelter is equipped to handle most medical needs the following morning.

Possible Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)

If a kitten is weak, lethargic, or unresponsive:

  • Rub Karo syrup on the kitten’s gums.
  • Keep the kitten warm.
  • Contact a cat tech immediately.


🎥 Training Videos & Learning Resources

Use the sections below to find setup guidance, feeding information, health protocols, and quick access to forms, documents, and training videos.

📞 Foster Support & Contact

If you need assistance, use the contacts and request options below. We are here to support you and your foster animals.

Foster Team

For general questions, updates, or support.

📧
📞 (208)772-4019


Cat Tech

For medical concerns such as illness, not eating, or behavior changes.

📧 (insert email)
📞 (insert phone number)

Center Manager (Emergency Approval Only)

For severe injury or life-threatening emergencies requiring veterinary care.

📞 (insert phone number)


Common Requests