Drucie Ashley
Board Director
tomdru1422@yahoo.com
Mercedes Core-Munoz, DVM
Board Director
catvet07@yahoo.com
Cincy Gould
Board Director
cincygould@yahoo.com
Kelly Richardson, MEd
Board President & Rescue Operations
(480) 703-3818, mobile
desertpawskelly@gmail.com
Thank you so much for dedicating your time and love to our animals in need!
Desert Paws Rescue (“Desert Paws,” or “DPR”) considers in-home fostering essential to the welfare and proper placement of our animals. Fostering allows us to provide emotional support for animals in need and gives us valuable insight into the animal’s personality. These elements assist us in ensuring that our animals are appropriately matched with the right forever family and receive the second chance that they deserve!
Foster families provide:
A healthy and safe environment for their foster cats
Transportation to and from adoption events, the adoption center, and any necessary medical services
Socialization and cuddle time to help teach the cats about positive family and relationships
Quality food and litter to ensure that the foster remains healthy
Lots of exercise and playtime to help them develop into great pets!
This Feline Foster Guide was designed to provide you with information regarding Desert Paws Rescue Foster-Program operations and foster responsibilities. It is important that you read through the document to ensure that you are aware of expectations regarding necessary medical and adoption services. This document is by no means comprehensive, so we encourage you to reach out to a Desert Paws representative if you have questions regarding your foster’s health or the Desert Paws adoption process.
Bringing home a new pet, whether it is a foster or a permanent addition to your family, can be very exciting! However, it is important to keep in mind that many of our animals have been recently surrendered or pulled from community shelters, so they may be experiencing an abnormal amount of stress and anxiety. It is important to identify a low-traffic and stress-free area of your house (possibly a small area like a bathroom) where your new foster can relax and get accustomed to new smells and sounds. Equip the immediate area, or room, with food, water, and a litter box.
One reason we recommend a small room is because cats will typically hide in new environments. It is not uncommon for a foster cat to hide underneath a bed or in a dark, quiet place for the first couple of days. Isolating your foster cat temporarily when you first bring them home allows you to know exactly where it is and helps you monitor its eating, drinking, and litter-box habits more closely.
A foster kitten, or litter of kittens, will need a space that is isolated from the people and other animals in your home. This is because the majority of kittens originate in either outdoor environments or shelter/pound environments – both of which can carry contagious bacteria and viruses. Since a kitten’s immunity is still developing it is very susceptible to nasty infections from other animals and it becomes a tiny adorable transport system for these contagions. It is best to keep it separate from other animals, and children, until the kitten has had its first FVRCP vaccination or reached an age/weight at which illness is unlikely.
Cat food and litter are sometimes provided to DPR through community donations and other non-profit resources. When available, Desert Paws will fairly distribute any donated resources among its approved foster families. It will be your responsibility to provide adequate food and litter for your foster animal to keep it healthy and adoptable.
If you purchase food for your foster cat, we recommend Simply Nourish or Authority brands, both available only at PetSmart. Adopters receive special coupons for these brands, so it is a good idea to start off your foster cat eating the kind of food it will most likely eat after adoption. Purchases made for foster care (including mileage for transportation) are considered donations and are tax-deductible. Make sure you keep your receipts for reference during tax season!
Please let a DP Administrator know if you have any special needs or questions regarding the provision of food and litter for your foster animal.
Foster cats often come from an outside or shelter environment, and even if they have previously lived in a home, we don’t always know how they will react in a new home. So, before bringing home a new foster cat, you’ll want to survey the area where you are going to keep the cat. Remove anything that would be unsafe or undesirable for the cat to chew on, and securely latch any cupboards the foster cat could get into. Cats like to climb up on shelves or bookcases, so you’ll want to remove anything that can be knocked down. People food and chemicals can be very harmful if consumed by cats, so please store them in a place that the foster cat cannot access.
Never underestimate your foster cat’s abilities. Here are some additional tips for cat-proofing your home:
Make sure all trash cans are covered or latched or keep them inside a closet. (Don’t forget the bathroom trash bins.)
Keep toilet lids closed.
Keep both people and pet food out of reach and off countertops.
Move houseplants out of reach, many house plants are toxic to cats and they like to chew on them.
Make sure aquariums or cages that house small animals, like fish or hamsters, are securely out of reach of your foster cat.
Remove medications, lotions, or cosmetics from accessible surfaces.
Move and secure all electrical and phone wires out of reach, cats may chew on or get tangled in them.
Move and secure any hanging window blind cords that cats may damage or get tangled in.
Pick up any clothing items that have buttons or strings which can be harmful to your foster cat if consumed. Random pieces of yarn, thread, or ribbon can also be very dangerous to your foster if eaten.
Relocate fragile knickknacks or valuables that your foster cat could knockdown.
to family members, both two- and four-legged, should be stress-free. When meeting new people, it is best to let the cat approach on its own terms. When the cat approaches, provide gentle petting. If the cat shies away, be patient – do not force the cat to come to you. Holding them down to force affection, or chasing them, can scare a nervous cat and result in negative behaviors.
While foster cats playing with other pets is often fine, we advise that you consult with your veterinarian to ensure that all of your personal pets are healthy and up-to-date on all vaccines. Cats from pounds/shelters/outdoor environments can be very susceptible to illness and can carry or catch different diseases. If, for any reason, your personal pet becomes ill while you are fostering a Desert Paws cat, we cannot provide medical care for your personal pet.
Once you have determined that your foster cat is healthy and would like to introduce it to your resident cat(s), ensure that it is a gradual and stress-free experience. Bringing your foster cat home and letting it immediately roam free may cause a lot of unnecessary stress for both your resident cat(s) and your foster cat. Do not automatically expect your personal animals and your foster animal(s) to become fast friends – sometimes the best that you can hope for is for them to simply tolerate each other for the time being.
If you are introducing your foster cat to a resident dog, keep your dog on a leash when you bring your foster cat into your house for the first time. This will prevent any unpredictable behaviors, like chasing. Allow your foster cat to approach your dog on its own terms. Once the dog and cat become comfortable around each other, the leash will no longer be necessary. It is also a good idea to set up escape options and hiding spots throughout the house for your foster cat. Examples include a pet gate that will allow the cat over or through, but not the dog(s); vertical escapes like cat towers; or a small crate/area where the cat can hide and feel safe.
Since we don’t always know a foster cat’s history or tolerance level for different types of people and activities, please teach your children how to act responsibly and respectfully around your foster cat. We will do our best to place you with an appropriate animal for your home situation, but you should still supervise all interactions between children and your foster cat. Key things to remind your children:
Always leave the foster cat alone when he/she is eating or sleeping. Some cats may nip or bite if bothered while eating or startled while sleeping.
Do not tease or agitate the foster cat.
Don’t chase the foster cat around the house; it may scare them.
Pick up the foster cat only when an adult is there to help. Cats can become scared when picked up, and they sometimes scratch with their sharp nails, even though they don’t mean to cause harm.
Please also remind your children to be careful when opening and closing doors so as to not accidentally let the foster cat outside.
There are so many answers to this question but, most importantly, a cat or kitten’s name can contribute to the attention that they receive. If you are fostering a cat or kitten who does not already have a documented name, we may ask you get creative and come up with something!
We rely on adoption websites like PetFinder and Adopt a Pet to network our adoptable cats and kittens, which means that our adoptable animals are competing with thousands of other adoptables across the valley. Good photos certainly help with increasing profile views, but a good name can also help with making a great first impression!
First ask your Foster Coordinator or a DPR Board member if you can name or rename your foster cat or kittens!
Visit naming sites like PetPlace, BabyNames, or PetHelpful for ideas!
Consider using the same letter to begin each name (ex. Morty, Mike, & Mary). This helps DPR keep long-term track of a litter and keeps all of your kittens listed together on PetFinder/Adopt A Pet.
Consider an overall theme for the names (ex. Homer, Bart, & Maggie). This also helps DPR keep long-term track of who each kitten is and what litter they belonged to.
Rename your foster cat or kittens without notifying the DPR Foster Coordinator or a DPR Board member.
Avoid names that have overwhelming negative connotations, like: Beast, Loki, Killer, or Troublemaker.
Avoid controversial political or religious figures or ideology.
Don’t be afraid to be unique! Keep away from common names like: Abby (Abbey, Abbi), Bella, Boomer, Cali (Callie), Calvin, Casper, Chloe, Cleo, Daisy, Eddie (Eddy, Edi), George (Georgie, Georgia), Grace (Gracie, Gracey), Harley, Indie (Indy), Jack (Jake, Jax), Jasper, Leo, Lily (Lilly), Lucy, Luna, Mittens, Marley, Max, Oliver (Olli, Olly, Ollie), Princess, Riley, Rome (Romeo), Rose (Rosey, Rosie), Roxie (Roxy), Salem, Sammy (Sammi, Sam), Sassy (Sassy, Sasi), Shadow, Socks (Sox), Tiger (Tigger), Willow.
Fosters are often also asked to provide a description of their foster cat or kittens. These details are critical because this information gets registered to the cat’s microchip after they are adopted.
A Solid Black cat will be entirely black, with no other colors.
This is an example of a Black kitten With White.
Or you may see the variation of Grey w/White.
And this is an example of White With Black.
Or you may see the variation of White w/Grey.
But a black w/white pattern should not be confused with the classic Tuxedo.
A Tortoiseshell pattern can be any amount of black and orange, and can often contain browns and golds.
Or the variation of a Grey Tuxedo.
While a Calico pattern will have some amount of white.
A Dilute Tortoiseshell pattern will show as lighter colors like grey and beige.
And a Dilute Calico pattern displays the same variations with the addition of white.
Add tabby stripes to the mix and you have what is commonly identified as a Torbico (tabby+calico).
Brown Tabby
Grey or Silver Tabby
Black or Smoke Tabby
Desert Paws Rescue assumes all financial responsibility for medical and veterinary expenses in order to keep your foster animal happy and healthy. This includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchipping, prescriptions, and any other necessary medical services. Desert Paws relies on a few veterinarians/clinics for these services:
MASHVet (“MASH”) is a mobile animal surgical hospital created to provide access to low-cost spay/neuter services in a variety of locations across the valley. MASH is commonly present at the home of the Veterinarian who owns and operates the mobile unit. Mash has low prices for spays, neuters, FIV/FeLV testing, and vaccinations, and directly bills Desert Paws for any services provided.
Fosters will be notified when MASHVet is holding their clinic days and given the opportunity to attend based on their availability.
Appointments for spay/neuter must be made through a Desert Paws Rescue Administrator.
Before you visit MASHVet:
Ensure you have scheduled an appointment through a DPR Administrator.
Ensure the carrier you intend to transport your foster in is labeled with your name & phone number along with your foster cat/kitten’s name.
Upon arrival at MASHVet’s 7am designated drop-off time, complete the Surgical Intake form by providing your name and phone number, and be sure to note that your animal is a Desert Paws Rescue foster.
A MASHVet Technician will call you at your contact number when your cat/kitten is ready to be picked up. If you have other commitments that will prevent you from dropping off/picking up your animal, please make arrangements with a DPR Administrator.
Altered Tails provides spay/neuter, vaccination, and testing services. Altered Tails has two locations, one in Phoenix and one in Mesa. This resource directly bills Desert Paws Rescue for any services provided.
Appointments for spay/neuter must be made through a Desert Paws Rescue Administrator.
Before you visit Altered Tails:
Ensure you have scheduled an appointment through a DPR Administrator.
Ensure the hard-sided carrier you intend to transport your foster in is labeled with your name & phone number along with your foster cat/kitten’s name. A.T. requires that each pet departs in their own carrier/crate so please let a DPR Administrator know if you will need to borrow additional crates.
Upon arrival at Altered Tails’ 7:30a designated drop-off time, complete the Rescue Surgical Consent form by providing your name and phone number, and be sure to note that your animal is a Desert Paws Rescue foster.
**PLEASE NOTE, Altered Tails Mesa is asking that anyone dropping of animals for medical services proceed to the back of their building and remain lined up in their car until a technician can assist.**
An Altered Tails Technician will call you when your cat/kitten is ready to be picked up. If you have other commitments that will prevent you from dropping off/picking up your animal, please make arrangements with a DPR Administrator.
Before you bring your foster home from Altered Tails, ensure that you receive a copy of your foster’s Spay/Neuter Certificate (if spay/neuter was done) or FIV/FeLV test results (if your foster was tested). You will need to bring this paperwork with you when you bring your animal to adoptions at PetSmart.
Spay Neuter Clinic is a high-volume clinic that provides low-cost spay/neuter and vaccinations. This clinic has several locations around the valley, including Mesa, Chandler, and Phoenix. This resource has very low prices for spays, neuters, and vaccinations; however, they are unable to bill Desert Paws for services. This means that the foster will have to pay for any provided services, acquire a receipt for said services, then follow up for reimbursement, or contact a DPR Administrator by phone when payment is due.
Appointments for spay/neuter must be made through a Desert Paws Rescue Administrator.
Before you visit Spay Neuter Clinic:
Ensure you have scheduled an appointment through a DPR Administrator.
Ensure the hard-sided carrier you intend to transport your foster in is labeled with your name & phone number along with your foster cat/kitten’s name.
Upon arrival at Spay Neuter Clinic, complete and intake form by providing your name and phone number, and be sure to note that your animal is a Desert Paws Rescue foster.
Before you bring your foster home from Spay Neuter Clinic, ensure that you receive a copy of your foster’s Spay/Neuter Certificate (if spay/neuter was done) or FIV/FeLV test results (if your foster was tested). You will need to bring this paperwork with you when you bring your animal to adoptions at PetSmart.
Dr. Carr’s Dog & Cat Repair is a full-service animal hospital which provides a number of veterinary medical services. Dr. John Carr can provide care for any animals who require medical services like X-rays, exams, testing, special prescriptions, dental cleanings, etc.
Appointments for medical services must be made through a Desert Paws Rescue Administrator.
All prescriptions or additional medical services must first be approved by a DPR Administrator. Unapproved expenses will not be reimbursed.
.
Follow Your Heart Animal Hospital is a full-service animal hospital which provides a number of veterinary medical services. They provide care for any animals who require additional medical services like X-rays, exams, testing, special prescriptions, dental cleanings, etc.
Appointments for medical services must be made through a Desert Paws Rescue Administrator.
All prescriptions or additional medical services must first be approved by a DPR Administrator. Unapproved expenses will not be reimbursed.
Warner Vista Animal Hospital is a full-service animal hospital which provides a number of veterinary medical services like X-rays, exams, testing, special prescriptions, dental cleanings, etc..
Appointments for medical services must be made through a Desert Paws Rescue Administrator.
All prescriptions or additional medical services must first be approved by a DPR Administrator. Unapproved expenses will not be reimbursed.
What constitutes a medical emergency? A good rule of thumb is any situation in which you would call 911 for a person. Below are some specific symptoms that could indicate an emergency:
Not breathing or labored breathing.
Signs of extreme dehydration (dry gums, weakness, vomiting, not urinating, skin tenting).
Abnormal lethargy or unable to stand.
Unconsciousness or unable to wake up.
Cold to the touch.
Broken bones.
Any trauma (hit by a car, dropped, stepped on).
A large wound or profuse bleeding that doesn’t stop when pressure is applied.
Loss of appetite for more than 24 hours.
If your foster cat or kitten begins to experience any of the above-listed symptoms, please immediately contact a Desert Paws Administrator before you visit any emergency animal hospital.
Desert Paws Rescue will not reimburse for unapproved emergency services.
Preferred after-hours emergency animal hospitals include:
Gilbert Queen Creek Emergency Veterinarian & Pet Urgent Care
18610 E Rittenhouse Rd, Building B, Queen Creek 85142
VCA Emergency Center of Arizona
1648 N. Country Club Drive, Mesa 85201 / (480) 898-0001
Arizona Vet Emergency & Critical Care Center
86 W. Juniper Avenue, Gilbert 85233 / (480) 497-0222
Sterilization is an important part of our efforts to reduce the homeless pet population in our community. Spaying and neutering also decrease the chances of breast and testicular cancers and additional reproductive illnesses and diseases. All DPR animals must be spayed or neutered before they are eligible for adoption.
Kittens and cats qualify for spay/neuter surgery if they weight two lbs or more, are at least eight-weeks-old and are healthy.
Most Spay/Neuter Veterinarians ask that your cat/kitten fast after 12a the day of their surgery, although water is permitted.
This is to prevent nausea/vomiting and to prevent food from aspirating into the lungs. It is also a good way to prevent your foster cat/kitten from having an accident inside of their carrier.
Your foster may still be experiencing the effects of anesthesia when it comes home from surgery. It is important that you keep your foster separate from other animals in the event that their intoxication is seen as weakness and provides an opportunity for it to be bullied or dominated. Once its senses have returned and its lethargy has worn off, it is OK to let it join other animals with supervision.
Your foster’s appetite will also return as the anesthesia wears off, but it is recommended that it is only provided with a light snack and water. Too much food may result in an upset stomach and a big mess for you to clean up!
If your cat/kitten was spayed/neutered at MASH, you may notice after you’ve pick them up that they still appear woozy from the anesthesia. Due to the nature of a mobile-vet, recovery space for serviced animals is limited, so after the MASH team’s initial observation of your cat/kitten coming out of anesthesia is complete, the cat/kitten will be ready for pickup. This means that they may still be showing signs of their sedation on the ride home, or for several hours after pick up (for example: unsteadiness, loud meowing or growling, or difficulty keeping their eyes open).
We recommend that once you arrive back home, you place your cat/kitten in a quiet and dark place where they can continue to sleep off the anesthesia without stress.
Continue to keep an eye on your foster cat’s surgical site for the next few days. Slight redness and swelling are normal; however, any signs of deep redness or infection should be reported immediately to a DPR Administrator.
Occasionally, following a feline spay, a cat may develop a “bubble” (aka, Seroma) on or near their suture site. A seroma occurs as part of the postoperative healing process. Your cat/kitten’s immune system has detected that her body has been invaded and trauma has been inflicted. This results in an inflammatory state, as the immune system goes to war at the site to combat infection and achieve healing. This leads to the accumulation of fluid, which typically gets reabsorbed and redistributed by the body over time, so you may be instructed to simply monitor the seroma at home and to apply warm or cold compresses. Veterinarian’s also suggest that you attempt to reduce your cat/kitten’s activity to prevent further swelling. If the swelling begins to show signs of an infection, please immediately notify a DPR Administrator.
You might also notice that your cat/kitten has a new green or blue mark on their belly. The Veterinarian who has performed your cat/kittens spay or neuter uses a tattoo gun to make this mark. The mark will indicate to other animal health professionals that your cat has been spayed/neutered, and prevent them from having to do any kind of “exploratory” surgery to come to this conclusion.
is a routine vaccination that should be a part of every cat’s health and wellness plan. This vaccination prevents Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (Feline Herpes), Calicivirus (Respiratory Infection & Joint Inflammation), and Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper). Desert Paws provides FVRCP vaccinations to all adoptable cats. We receive these vaccinations directly from the manufacturer and are permitted to administer these subcutaneous vaccinations.
Kittens should receive their first FVRCP vaccination around eight-weeks of age if they are otherwise healthy. Kittens who have been bottle-fed from a young age should receive their first FVRCP vaccination between five to six-weeks of age if they are otherwise healthy. A series of three FVRCP vaccinations, 3 weeks apart, ensure that kittens build up their immunity to the above-mentioned infections. Kittens and cats over four-months-old should receive two FVRCP vaccinations to make up for any lack of vaccinations in their environment prior to DPR.
Side effects from the FVRCP vaccination are rare but can occur. Because the FVRCP vaccination is a modified live virus, cats may contract the diseases the vaccine fights. Breathing difficulties, a high fever, or excessive vomiting are signs to contact a DPR Administrator immediately. More commonly after an FVRCP shot, a cat will feel soreness in the area of the injection and may seem depressed. It should perk up once the soreness fades. It may have a runny nose, develop an oral or nasal sore, vomit, or display a limp up to 14-days after receiving the shot, but afterward should not experience further complications.
Vaccination Schedule for healthy kittens (under 1yr old):
Bottle-babies = 1st FVRCP vaccination between 6-8 weeks old, then every 3-4 weeks until a total of three vaccinations has been received.
Nursed kittens = 1st FVRCP vaccination at 8 weeks old, then every 3-4 weeks until a total of three vaccinations has been received.
Kittens over 4 months old = 1st FVRCP vaccination upon entering foster home, then a 2nd vaccination 3-4 weeks later, until a total of two vaccinations has been received.
Vaccination Schedule for healthy adults (over 1yr old):
If NO documentation of prior vaccinations, then 1st FVRCP vaccination upon entering foster home, and a 2nd vaccination 3-4 weeks later, until a total of two vaccinations has been received.
If documentation of FVRCP vaccination shows last vaccination occurred 1-3 years ago, then 1st FVRCP vaccination upon entering foster home. No additional FVRCP required.
If documentation of FVRCP vaccination shows last vaccination occurred over 3 years ago, then 1st FVRCP vaccination upon entering foster home, and a 2nd vaccination 3-4 weeks later, until a total of two vaccinations has been received.
!!! If the time elapsed between a 1st and 2nd, or 2nd and 3rd, FVRCP vaccinations exceeds 6 weeks, the cat/kitten’s vaccination schedule will need to start again !!!
vaccinations should also be a part of any cat’s health and wellness plan. Once a cat reaches four months it should receive its first rabies vaccine, then once again in 12 months, then once every 3 years. There is always a possibility that an indoor cat may accidentally find itself outdoors and exposed, through a bite or scratch, to the saliva of a rabid animal, so extra precautions should be taken to protect both our animals and ourselves.
The state of Arizona requires that all animal rabies vaccines be restricted to use by, or under, the direct supervision of a certified veterinarian. This means that Desert Paws must rely on our in-house Vet or another medical service provider. DPR also chooses to not vaccinate each and every adoptable cat/kitten as we feel this vaccination should ultimately be left up to the discretion of the adopter and their chosen Veterinarian.
Adverse reactions to the rabies vaccine are rare but can occur. After a Rabies vaccination your foster cat may exhibit mild systems of an adverse or allergic reaction to the rabies vaccination including vomiting, swelling at the injection site, pain at or near the injection site, low-grade fever, diarrhea, appetite loss, lethargy, itching, or sneezing. These symptoms will generally lessen over a few days and disappear. In the event of prolonged, or more serious, symptoms, please contact a DPR Administrator.
The majority of the cats and kittens that come to Desert Paws come from shelters and other ‘less than sterile’ environments. Kittens especially can be tiny and adorable little vehicles for viruses and bacteria. The majority of these health issues are easily managed and resolved through home remedies or treatments.
Cats get colds too! Sniffling, sneezing, discharge from eyes/nose, coughing, and lethargy are common symptoms of an upper respiratory infection in cats. Generally, an infection will last for 7-21 days, and during this time symptoms may remain the same or gradually become worse. Extreme symptoms include discharge from eyes/nose that is yellow or green in color, coughing to the point of vomiting, or sneezing blood. These extreme symptoms should be met with 7-14 days of antibiotics.
If you suspect that your foster animal is dealing with an Upper Respiratory Infection, please let a Desert Paws Administrator know so we can determine a course of treatment.
Infections or inflammation of the inner lining of the eye socket is common in rescue cats, and especially kittens. It is normal for cats to have discharge from their eyes when they wake up and some may have more than others; however, symptoms like redness, swelling, squinting, an increase in tear production, and yellow or green discharge are unusual. These symptoms often last for 7-21 days, and during this time symptoms may remain the same or gradually become worse.
If you suspect that your foster animal is dealing with an eye infection, please let a Desert Paws Administrator know so we can determine a course of treatment.
Ringworm is a very misleading name! Ringworm is actually a fungal infection, similar to Athlete’s Foot, which can affect the hair and skin of cats, dogs, and humans. In humans, the infection often causes ring-like lesions, but these are seen less commonly in cats and dogs. In most patients, Ringworm is ‘self-limiting;’ meaning that it will self-cure over time; however, because this infection can be transmitted between animals and humans, it is important that the infection is treated and resolved as quickly as possible.
A classic symptom of Ringworm is a small irritated lesion that is devoid of hair. The lesions will often have scaly and red skin in the center and small pustules (zits) and are most commonly found on/around the ears, face, and paws.
Home remedies for Ringworm include topical antifungal creams, Tea Tree oil diluted with coconut oil or olive oil, antifungal shampoos, topical solutions, or a diluted bleach solution. It is also a good idea to wash any bedding or surfaces that your foster has come in contact with (including cat trees or scratchers) using warm water and a diluted bleach solution or disinfectant, like OdoBan®, to prevent any ringworm spores that may have shed and are waiting for a new host.
If you suspect that your foster cat has ringworm, please let a Desert Paws Administrator know so we can determine a course of treatment. Since ringworm is easily transmitted to both humans and other animals, we encourage you to isolate your foster cat from the other animals and people in your home as soon as you suspect it is carrying Ringworm.
Ear mites are tiny parasites that live out their life cycle inside the ear canal where they feed on skin debris. They are quite common and the brown residue that they produce can cause severe irritation, itchiness of the ears, inflammation, and often lead to secondary ear infections. Ear mites are spread mostly by direct contact with another animal that has mites and is especially common in kittens. While an ear mite’s life cycle may be short, they are constantly reproducing, making it very important that the mites, and their eggs, are eradicated as soon as possible.
A thorough cleaning of the ears, using a cotton applique and warm water, or mineral oil, can clear the brown discharge produced by mites and help calm irritation, along with removing dead mites. Topical flea, tick, and mite medications, like Revolution or Advantage, can be applied to the neck of the affected cat once every three weeks for up to two months in order to eliminate live ear mites and their eggs. Acarexx (Ivermectin) can also be applied to the inner ear to eliminate live mites and their eggs. It is also a good idea to wash any bedding or surfaces that your foster has come in contact with using warm water and disinfectant to prevent any mites that may have shed and are waiting for a new host.
If you suspect that your foster cat has a case of ear mites, please let a DPR Administrator know so we can determine a course of treatment. Since ear mites are easily transmitted through physical contact with other animals, we encourage you to isolate your foster cat from the other animals in your home as soon as you suspect they have ear mites.
It is very common for cats that have come directly from a shelter to have been exposed to fleas and ticks. Finding fleas and/or ticks on your foster cat should be taken very seriously as these parasites can easily “jump ship” and attach themselves to other animals and humans within your home.
Topical flea, tick, and mite shampoos and medications, like Revolution or Advantage, are the most successful solution for eliminating fleas and ticks. It is also a good idea to wash any bedding or surfaces that your foster has come in contact with using warm water and disinfectant to remove any fleas or ticks that may have shed and are waiting for a new host.
If you suspect that your foster cat has a case of fleas and/or ticks, please let a DPR Administrator know so we can determine a course of treatment. Since fleas and ticks are easily transmitted through contact with other animals and humans, we encourage you to isolate your foster cat from the other animals and humans within your home as soon as you suspect it has fleas and/or ticks.
Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites are common in cats that have spent any amount of time outdoors or in a shelter/pound environment. These parasites can be wormlike (e.g., stomach worms, roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms) or single-celled microscopic organisms (e.g., Isospora, Giardia, Toxoplasma). Symptoms associated with the presence of these parasite infections are fairly nonspecific, such as dull coat, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, mucoid or bloody/black feces, loss of appetite, or a pot-bellied appearance. If left untreated, these infections may cause potentially life-threatening anemia, perforation of the stomach/intestines, and sometimes death.
If you suspect that your foster cat has symptoms associated with an internal parasitic infection, please let a DPR Administrator know so we can determine a course of treatment. Internal parasites like these are most commonly contracted by the affected animal by ingesting soil, feces, or being exposed to another animal that is carrying the parasites; because of this, we encourage you to isolate your foster cat from the other animals within your home as soon as you suspect they have a case of GI parasites.
As a recognized PetSmart Charity, we have been given the valuable opportunity to use our PetSmart’s Adoption Center to promote our adoptable cats. Our cats’ stay at the Adoption Center provides them with great exposure to the many pet-loving individuals who visit our PetSmart. Volunteers ensure that their enclosures are kept clean, provide them with valuable social interaction, and ensure that they remain happy and healthy during their stay. It is common for a cat who has never stayed at the Adoption Center before to take a day or two to settle into the environment; however, our volunteers are terrific at making sure that Adoption Center cats are given quality play and snuggle time, and that all cats are kept comfortable and safe while at the Center.
If you have not been offered an opportunity for your foster cat to stay at the PetSmart Adoption Center, please let Desert Paws Adoption Center Coordinator know. Adult cats are allowed to stay at the Adoption Center for up to two weeks and kittens up to one week. Adult cats must be spayed/neutered, microchipped, and have had both their yearly FVRCP and rabies vaccination prior to their stay. Kittens must be spayed/neutered, microchipped, and have received the first of their FVRCP vaccination series.
Please make sure that you complete the following steps to prepare your foster cat’s enclosure prior to their stay:
Add copies of all current medical records (including Rabies Certificate, if applicable) to the 3-ring PetSmart binder, located on the overhead shelf.
The Rabies vaccine must have been given at least 24 hours prior to a cat’s stay at the center.
All cats/kittens must be microchipped, w/their microchip number present on their medical record.
Complete description card for window.
Reusing description cards is permitted AFTER the ‘move-in’ date has been updated.
Both blank and old cards are stored in a clear plastic box, located in the bottom cabinets.
Fill out a PetSmart Resident Wellness Chart, found in the clear plastic box located in the bottom cabinets.
Include: Your name & phone number, your foster cat/kitten’s name and age, specific directions regarding their food, any additional notes that you feel are appropriate.
Prepare an enclosure for your foster cat/kitten by including:
A bed
Blankets
Toys
A litter box with 2-3 inches of litter
Food (If you foster cat/kitten requires special food, please ensure that the container is labeled, and its location is noted on the Resident Wellness Chart.
Water
Please make sure that you complete the following steps before bringing your foster cat/kitten home from the Adoption Center:
Remove your foster cat/kitten’s records from the PetSmart binder.
Add removed records to the clear plastic box, located in the bottom cabinets.
Remove description card from front window.
Add removed description card(s) to clear plastic box, located in the bottom cabinets
Remove your foster cat’s PetSmart Resident Wellness Chart from it’s clipboard and add it to the clear plastic box, located in the bottom cabinets.
Clean and sanitize the enclosure.
Remove used beds, blankets, and toys to wash, and check the “laundry” cabinet for additional dirty items that need cleaning. It is considered your responsibility to take these items home to wash, and return them the following week. Please let a DPR Administrator know if you are unable to do this so that accommodations can be made.
Clean Turbo-Scratcher with disinfectant spray and paper towel.
Remove any hair stuck in cardboard scratchers with lint brush or lint roller. Replacement cardboard scratchers are stored in the bottom cabinets.
Empty used litter into trash can.
Clean used litter boxes with disinfectant spray and paper towels.
Wipe down all enclosure surfaces (top, bottom, sides, and windows) w/disinfectant spray and paper towels.
Empty and sanitize all water or food bowls.
PLEASE NOTE
It is important to us that our adoption center volunteers are not delegated these tasks by foster-parents. The use of our PetSmart Adoption Center is a privilege provided to us by the PetSmart Charities organization and the employees of our PetSmart store. We love it when adoption center volunteers offer to assist a foster-parent with moving a cat/kitten in or out of the center; however, the preparation of a cat or kitten’s adoption center enclosure upon move-in and the cleanup of a cat or kitten’s adoption center enclosure upon move-out is the primary responsibility of the foster-parent.
Desert Paws Rescue is a PetSmart Charity Partner, which enables us to hold adoption events in designated PetSmart locations within the valley. These events provide us with an invaluable opportunity to connect with our community and show off all of our amazing adoptables.
The Desert Paws cat group currently holds these events every Saturday from 11a to 4p at the Gilbert Gateway PetSmart, located on Power and Ray.
Prior to the event, volunteers set up wire crates with beds and litter boxes so that your foster cat is outfitted with a comfortable environment during their stay. Before you drop off your foster at an adoption event, please make sure to complete an ‘Intro Card’ for their crate. This card displays the name, age, gender, and temperament of your foster cat. It is also beneficial to let the volunteers know a little about your foster cat’s personality so that they can assist in finding the right match in a potential adopter. This can include their attitude toward other cats, dogs, children, men, etc.. Any details are helpful!
“Our mission is to find a forever family for all of our adoptable animals, not a “for-the-time-being family,” or an “until-the-newness-wears-off family.”
We are assisted in achieving this by requiring all potential adopters to complete a Consultation Form, otherwise known as an Adoption Application.
We appreciate any and all input regarding what traits a potential adopter should have to ensure that the right adopter is chosen for your foster; however, final approval of all adoptions is left to the discretion of a Desert Paws Administrator.”
Fostering a cat is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have (other than adopting, of course). By temporarily taking a cat in need into your home you’re providing the time and love that the animal needs to ensure the best match with a forever family. Remember that while each adoption saves a life, a great foster parent can save many lives by socializing and rehabilitating cats who might not otherwise be able to find a home. Each foster animal that you choose to adopt leaves one less space in your home for a cat that needs temporary care before they are ready for adoption.
If you anticipate that you will have trouble letting your foster cat go to a potential adopter, please let a DPR Administrator know. A good general rule to follow is to avoid “falling” for your very first foster animal. It can be very easy to integrate your foster animal into your life so completely that you can’t imagine it not being there. However, one of the best parts of being a foster parent can be meeting a potential adopter that is as in love with your foster animal as you are!
Those who decide to adopt their foster animals are commonly referred to as “foster fails,” though there is no malice intended! This occurs enough that it was given its own name!
If you and your family do decide to move forward with adopting your foster, please keep in mind that you will be required to complete the same Adoption Consultation Form and Contract that all potential adopters complete. Fees for adoption should be discussed with DP Administration. Your foster will remain “adoptable” until these requirements are met.
As a foster parent, you are the best advocate for your foster animal! Telling family and friends about your foster through social media, or during encounters in your home, is a great way to spread the word about your foster animal’s personality. In the event that a personal friend or family member expresses interest in adopting your foster(s), please request that they visit the Desert Paws website and complete the Cat Adoption Consultation Form. All interested adopters are required to complete this Adoption Consultation Form before an Administrator can approve an adoption.
Please feel free to contact Desert Paws Administration if you would like to provide a referral for any submitted Consultation Forms! It is important to us that we place our animals with the best matched forever family, and very often the best match might be a friend or family member (someone who you know very well).
If any of your foster pets bite you and break the skin, causing you to bleed, you need to report the bite to a DPR Administrator within 24 hours. The teeth of the animal, not the nails, must have broken the skin. If you are unsure, please report the bite anyway.
You are not required to continue to foster a cat if you feel it’s not working out. However, we may not have an immediate alternative foster home. We will work on moving your foster cat as soon as possible but ask for your understanding and patience. Please contact the DPR Intake Coordinator if this situation arises.
Please do not feel bad if you realize that fostering is not for you. Fostering is only one way to contribute to Desert Paws. Contact the DPR Intake Coordinator to find out more about ways in which you can help our rescue continue to help animals in need.
DPR most commonly takes in cats that have either been surrendered or abandoned. We believe that by rescuing animals before they reach the local pound or shelter helps reduce the number of unnecessary euthanasia for those local groups. Additionally, we often take in animals that have been scheduled for euthanasia because of a medical issue, or special need, which a local pound or shelter does not have the resources to provide.
If you should happen to find a “stray” cat or kitten in your neighborhood it is important that you ensure that the cat or kitten has been scanned for a microchip. After you have determined that the cat or kitten does not already belong to someone, you can begin the DPR foster process by bringing the cat/kitten to meet the DPR Intake Coordinator in-person. Cats or kittens already in your care that have not been surrendered and approved for foster by the DPR Intake Coordinator are considered your responsibility.
It is important that the animals we adopt out are given the best opportunity for a long and healthy life. Cats who spend time outside are exposed to contagious viral infections, parasites, territorial feral cats, encounters with backyard dogs or wild animals, and the danger of human strangers. Once a cat goes outdoors, there is no way to protect it from all of these risks. Including this question in our application provides us an opportunity to teach our potential adopters about the dangers and costs associated with letting a cat outside.
This question reiterates the point made above regarding the decreased quality and quantity of life for outdoor cats. Cats are curious animals and it will only be a matter of time before they discover this method for accessing the outside world. Once a cat ventures outdoors, there is no way to protect it from the risks that they may face, and when it returns indoors, it carries with it the potential viruses, fungi, parasites, and other small animals that it has encountered during its exploration.
This question provides us with another opportunity to teach potential adopters about the risks associated with declawing. Many years ago, the Veterinarian community found it reasonable to declaw a cat who used their claws inappropriately. Today, the majority of veterinarians agree that surgical declawing should only be performed when it benefits the cat’s health (i.e., cancer).
Traditional digit amputation, laser surgery, and Tendonectomies, all carry the same complications: infection, tissue necrosis, nerve damage, and behavioral effects. The opinion of the American Veterinary Medical Association is that all of these medical procedures are considered inhumane when used to stop unwanted feline scratching.
It is important that the animals we adopt out are given the best opportunity for a long and healthy life. It is also important to our organization that our community is aware of the ever-increasing population of homeless animals that result from unneutered and unspayed dogs and cats. This question provides an opportunity for us to discuss the importance of vaccinations and sterilization, and find out what has prevented them from completing these critical services.