The Importance of Being a Foster

Jun 14, 2011

This is Tabby Baby. She was born with congenital eye disorder, known as micropthamalia which literally means "small eyes." Because of this, she is most likely blind, but what she lacks in sight she makes up for in personality, sweetness and overall disposition. She has been in a loving foster home, since leaving the Bottle Baby Nursery where she spent her first few days after being rescued. Now, she is just awaiting the day when she will get big enough to be spayed.

While in this foster home, she may not see her foster mom & dad pouring food in her dish, but she knows she will be fed. She may not see them give her a clean blanket every couple of days, but she knows it will be there for snuggling and naps. Tabby Baby may not see their hands reach down to pick her up, or see their smiling faces as they give her kisses, but she knows she will receive affection. All of this care is important in helping Tabby Baby become adoption-ready, and we all hope she will soon find her forever family. Tabby Baby's foster home has been an important part of Austin reaching an 89% live outcome for the month of May.

June is historically the worst month for homeless pets in our city shelter.  In 2010, the live outcome rate was only 65%. For the cats and kittens that enter the shelter, the most important thing that we need to achieve No-Kill (90% live outcome) in June is foster homes. Every single cat or kitten that we rescue from the shelter must have a foster home.

Cats are incredibly affected by stress and can easily contract upper respiratory infections, with symptoms including runny noses, sneezing, and watery eyes. Because of this, we need to have foster homes available so the kitties we rescue can recover, receive medicines provided by APA!,  and become well enough to go to any of our amazing adoption centers around town. Fostering can last as little as just 7-10 days, and makes a huge difference in not only Austin having another No-Kill month, but also in the life of cats and kittens, just like Tabby Baby. Other cats we rescue, such as those mom cats with their babies, or those that require extensive medical care due to injuries, broken bones, etc. may require a longer foster stay. As an approved foster with APA! you will never be forced to take an animal you are not willing to foster.

We are hosting a Foster Recruitment Event this coming weekend, June 18th -19th, that will include training for all the types of cat fostering we have, information sessions and foster screening. We will have staff and volunteers available to answer any questions you may have about being a foster for APA.

DATE: Saturday June 18 & Sunday June 19
TIME: 9am – 5pm
LOCATION: APA! Headquarters, 2807 Manachaca Blvd Austin TX 78704 in the cat building (on the right as you enter the parking lot)

To sign up for a training session send an email to [email protected]. Training sessions will be held at the following times:

• Sat, June 18th, 2-4pm


• Sun, June 19th 9-10:30am


• Sun, June 19th, 5-7pm

We hope you will join us for an informative weekend where you'll learn how you can become an important part of a successful No-Kill June!

(and if you are interested in learning more about Tabby Baby and the adoption process, email [email protected])