4 Reasons to Foster an Adult Cat

By Lauren Puckett

In 2023, Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC) volunteers fostered 191 cats. Though some of these cats were kittens, there were plenty of adult cats who also needed foster families. Kittens are often in demand because they are so cute and cuddly, but adults come with their own benefits. Here are four reasons to foster an adult cat:

Less Demanding of Your Time

Kittens, especially young ones, need regular supervision. They are often underfoot and can cause humans to trip or stumble, potentially injuring all involved. Newborn kittens have stringent feeding requirements and need to be bottle-fed every two to six hours. This can be quite time consuming for the foster family. An adult cat, on the other hand, usually eats kibble on its own schedule.

Little or No Training Needed

While a kitten needs to learn to use its litter box, adult cats are almost always potty-trained and ready to go. This saves valuable time and effort – and messes – for the foster family. Kittens also need curtain climbing and scratch training while adult cats usually do not.

Calmer Temperaments

Kittens can be rambunctious and destructive, while adult cats are generally much more settled. They typically don’t have the same play or exercise requirements as younger cats and are less likely to get themselves into trouble.

Lifesaving Potential

Finally, there’s something very rewarding about giving an older animal a second chance at a happy life. The cat you foster will be grateful to you for opening your heart and home to them.

Because HSLC does not have a physical shelter, we can only save cats when we have a foster home to place them in. Amy Richards, HSLC’s Animal Care Director explains, “There are so many adult cats that need a soft place to land while they are between homes. In many cases we don’t know exactly what their personality is like. Fostering these cats gives them the opportunity to decompress and let us get to know them so we may better match them with their ideal furr-ever home.”

Are you ready to save a life? Learn more about fostering an adult cat on our website and complete a no-obligation application today!