Becoming a Foster Caregiver

Thank you for considering becoming a foster parent for our kittens!

The Bitty Kitty Brigade specializes in orphaned neonatal kittens who have no mother and no chance of survival without human care. Fostering is how these babies live. When you foster, you are stepping directly into the lifesaving gap.

And while most of our fosters care for bottle babies or young kittens, we also need homes for older kittens and adult cats who return to our rescue. You choose the age range that is right for you – we never assign a cat outside your comfort zone and will train you to care for any age group.ore you start the application process, please review our foster caregiver requirements to make sure we’re a compatible fit.  

Choose Your Foster Category

You are welcome to foster one age group or all of them. You can grow into more over time or stay with one forever. Every role matters.

  • Bottle Babies (0–6 weeks) High-impact rescue work for newborns who need bottle feeding every 2–4 hours. Training, supplies and full support provided. This is the most urgent population we serve.
  • Weaned Kittens (6–12 weeks) Playful, energetic, litter box trained. No bottle feeding needed. Great for people who want kitten joy without round-the-clock care.
  • Adult Cats Sometimes a previously adopted cat needs to return to our care. These cats are past the chaos stage and need a soft landing while they await a new home. Adult cats in our care were raised as bottle babies and are fully socialized already. 
  • Respite Fostering Short-term care to give another foster a break during vacations, medical leave or emergencies. A perfect way to help even if your schedule varies.

What We Provide

  • All food, litter and supplies
  • All medical care, including spay or neuter
  • Specialized training for bottle babies
  • Ongoing guidance and 24/7 support
  • A foster community that never leaves you to figure it out alone

Your Role as a Foster

  • Live within one hour of Little Canada, MN for access to our partnered vets and emergency care
  • Provide safe indoor housing and daily care for your chosen foster type
  • Be available to pick up foster animals at intake within the Twin Cities metro
  • Transport your foster to scheduled medical appointments, including 2-3 wellness checks, any emergency visits and depending on their age, spay or neuter appointments
  • Host adoption meet-and-greets in your home once your foster is ready for adoption – appointments are scheduled only with approved adopters

Why It Matters

  • Bottle babies cannot survive without foster care
  • Weaned kittens need socialization to thrive in homes
  • Adult cats deserve the promise we make to always take them back
  • Respite care prevents foster burnout and keeps the rescue strong

Every single foster opens a space for the next life waiting.

Next Steps

Before you apply, please make sure you’ll be ready to begin fostering within the next 60 days.

If you’re not ready yet, we encourage you to wait and apply closer to when you can actively welcome a foster into your home.

Here is the onboarding process:

  • Apply online (application link below)
    Make sure your current pets are spayed/neutered and up to date on vaccines before applying. Please answer every question fully – incomplete applications are archived.
  • Application review (within 7 business days)
    Our team reads every application carefully and reaches out if you’re a good fit to move forward.
  • 30-minute phone interview
    A quick conversation to talk through your application and answer questions about fostering.
  • Virtual orientation + training
    You’ll receive a training video (approx. 30 minutes) and a short quiz to complete before attending our live Google Meet orientation. Orientations are held once per month.
  • Resource packet + digital waiver
    After orientation, you’ll receive foster resources and a liability waiver. Everyone in your household must sign within 7 days to stay active.
  • Home visit
    We schedule a virtual or in-person walk-through to help identify the safest setup for your foster kittens or cats.
  • You’re approved and ready to foster Once your home is approved, you’re officially onboarded and will begin receiving placement offers based on the age group(s) you selected.

Now that you know what fostering is all about, you can fill out an application to get started!

FILL OUT AN APPLICATION

Questions first? Check out our FAQ below or contact us at foster@bittykittybrigade.org

Yes. You only foster the age group you are comfortable with. You may choose bottle babies, weaned kittens, adult cats or short-term respite or do any combination of those. You can change your preference later or throughout the year as needed.

  • Bottle babies: feeding every 2–4 hours around the clock (similar to caring for a newborn infant)

  • Weaned kittens: regular daily care and play — energetic but no overnight feedings

  • Adult cats: lower maintenance, routine care, focus on comfort and stability

Respite: short-term coverage, timing is flexible and coordinated with you

Fostering doesn't require much space. Kittens 0-3 weeks old can stay in a plastic tub up on a counter or in a space spot. Kittens 3-6 weeks stay in an enclosed playpen. For kittens 6+ weeks - adults, a spare room, office or large bathroom is wonderful. All ages of kittens should be kept in a safe area that is temperature controlled, escape proof and away from danger.

Feeding schedules vary by the week as kittens age. Kittens 0-3 weeks are fed every 2-4 hours around the clock. Kittens 3-6 weeks are fed every 4-6 hours around the clock.

You can foster weaned kittens, adult cats or be part of our respite team instead. Every role is important - you do not need to be available overnight to make a lifesaving impact.

Letting go can be emotional, but you are sending them to a safe, permanent home - and that is the goal! Most fosters find it easier over time and many feel proud, not sad. You can always take breaks when needed and we have a Facebook group full of people who understand what it’s like to support you.

Always okay. We never force placements. You can decline any offer if timing is not right or it is not a good match.

No problem. We have respite fosters who can care for your kittens or cat while you are away. Just give us notice and our care coordinator will arrange the coverage for you.

We provide all food, litter, medical care and supplies. You provide safe housing, transport to appointments and daily care.

Yes, as long as your pets are spayed/neutered, fully vaccinated and can be safely separated if needed.

In your home, by appointment only, with pre-approved adopters. You don’t have to travel for meet-and-greets.

Yes. You control your availability and can pause at any time.

No. Our adoption team reviews every application and approves adopters before you are ever contacted. You simply host the meet-and-greet in your home once someone has already been screened and cleared. The final decision is always yours, though!

Not directly. All kittens must enter through our official intake process first. We are a neonatal rescue and only take in truly orphaned bottle babies 0–5 weeks old. If you find kittens, please contact us first - we will guide you through what to do and determine if they qualify for intake.