5 Common Misconceptions About Cat Fostering (and the Truth Behind Them)

One thing we hear all the time is, “I’d love to foster, but…” 

We’ve heard all the excuses—I work outside the home, I’m going to be traveling, I don’t have enough space, I’d get too attached—this list goes on and on. Yet so often, these excuses do not reflect true barriers when it comes to fostering (case in point: Underdog’s network of temp fosters who step in when a foster goes out of town). 

Therefore, we teamed up with several of Underdog’s cat fosters to help us bust five of the most common misconceptions when it comes to fostering a cat or kitten through Underdog.

Myth 1: I can’t afford to foster

We understand that cat essentials like food, litter, toys, and vet care can be costly. But when you foster through Underdog, families have access to a HUGE storage unit filled with supplies and necessities. 

Looking for cat food? In the storage unit. Need more litter for the litter box? Look no further than the storage unit. Not to mention, there are cleaning supplies, pet carriers, bathing materials, bedding, and more! 

Plus, 100% of vet care is provided through Underdog’s onsite vet clinic. 

One of our fosters Kevin shares, “Underdog does a great job providing support with food and all the essentials”, and Emily W. echoes that she is always getting supplies donated to Underdog.

We are so grateful to our amazing Underdog community whose donations remove the financial burden of fostering and make it more accessible to families.

Myth 2: I need a large home or huge space to foster

Although it’s easy to understand why one might believe foster cats need lots of room to roam, the reality is there are several ways to create a safe space for cats and kittens without owning a giant home. 

Although some prefer to have a dedicated room for their foster felines, Emily W. explains that “a spare bathroom works just fine for kittens too!” 

The most important thing is providing a space that is safe and cozy and allows the animal to rest, grow, and prepare for adoption.

Myth 3: I can’t foster—I have pets of my own

Consider this myth officially busted, as MANY of our fosters have resident animals of their own.

Emily W. states that while it is important to prioritize your own pets, it is possible to safely foster even if your resident pets are not thrilled with the foster guests.

She explains, “My female cat does not care for the foster kittens, so I make sure to keep her separate from them. When they have time outside of their room once they are healthy, it is limited and my cat knows where she can go to feel safe.”

But that doesn’t mean all resident pets aren’t fans of the fosters!

Emily also shares, “My boy cat LOVES the kittens. Once they are deemed healthy by Underdog Vet Care, I allow him to visit the kittens. He loves playing with them, attempting to steal their food, and most of all, bathing them. In addition to providing him entertainment, it is good for the kittens to interact with an animal outside their littermates as it helps me understand more about them and a home they would do well in.”

Whether you choose to integrate residents and fosters (once they have been properly vetted and cleared by the veterinary team) to play and cuddle, or create boundaries for personal space, there is often a way to foster while watching out for the wellbeing of both the foster pets and your own animals.

Myth 4: Foster cats and kittens will destroy my home

We understand that the fear of ruined homes or destroyed furniture may cause hesitation to foster.

But Emily H. shares a reassuring perspective. “I've fostered whole litters and the impact on my home is very minimal - much less than a puppy! I've never had a cat mark in my home, and for the most part all of my fosters have had pretty good litter box habits.”

While we understand that every animal is different and we cannot always predict how an animal will react in a new setting, many cats and kittens do very well in a home environment. 

And if questions or issues arise while fostering, Underdog fosters can reach out to our Cat Behavior Volunteer, Holly, who serves as a valuable resource to answer questions and provide insight. New fosters are also paired with a mentor, so you are never navigating challenging situations alone!

Myth 5: I can’t foster- I’ll get too attached. 

Ready for the harsh reality? You might get attached. And that’s okay— it means you did it right. 

What’s also reality? You saved that animal's life. 

Chrissy shares, “It's SO hard (and I've shed tears when a cat has been adopted out), but I know it allows me to pull/save more....so I keep doing it!”

Foster animals come to Underdog because they desperately need a home. In some cases, the animals are even on lists to be euthanized.

And every time you step up to foster, you give that animal a second chance at a fulfilling and happy life with a family who loves them.

Emily W. explains, “it is a privilege to love every kitten that comes into my home. I am just one part of their journey. Of course I love them all and get more attached to some than others, but when I find a great home for them (and I pride myself in finding the best fit for each kitten), it is so worth it. Most recently, there was a kitten I really, really loved. He was perfect—sweet with other cats, floppy, cuddly, and fluffy. After a couple of applications for him fell through, the third application was a couple that was holding out hope that they could adopt him. They loved him instantly. Now, he gets to go to work with his mom who works at a memory care facility and spread his joy further. How could I not want that?”

When we say that fostering is life-saving work, we mean that—literally. 

Are you ready to join us? You can learn more about our foster program and complete an application to become a foster here. 

Together, we can help more animals in need.