A Foster-to-Adoption is the same as a regular adoption, except that you take the cat/kitten home prior to them receiving the complete essential vetting (spay/neuter, rabies and distemper vaccine, FIV/FeLV test and a microchip) required to finalize the adoption. Some vetting may be needed prior to you introducing the cat to your other pets, and this is decided on a case-by-case basis. The purpose of this program is to give cats an opportunity to be adopted before their essential vetting appointment, as it can be a long wait due to the high demand of those appointments.
A foster-to-adoption is NOT a trial period for you to determine if the cat is a good fit into your home. This is for several reasons, mainly that rehoming is an intense experience for a cat and one that we avoid more times than necessary. Also, your new cat adjusting to your home does depend on your willingness and patience to properly transition them, including a slow introduction to your current pets. This is case by case and will be discussed in more detail during your adoption interview. But like a regular adoption, foster-to-adoption is for cats that you have already made up your mind to adopt.
Fostering-To-Adopt Agreement
- Starting at 6 weeks, kittens may be taken home from the previous foster home if the requirements listed below are met. Unless kitten is with mom or siblings, then we wait until the kittens are 8 weeks because they are bonded with their family.
- The kitten must be spayed/neutered and vaccinated within 6 months of the adoption.
- The time between adoption and spay/neuter appointment is considered the foster period.
- An adoption application will need to be submitted and approved prior to entering into this agreement.
- Please review the Foster-to-Adopt Contract below. A copy of this agreement will be provided and must be signed and dated by you at the time you pick up your cat and enter into this situation.
Benefits of Foster-To-Adopt
- You will take your cat/kitten home sooner instead of waiting after spay/neuter.
- The kitten will be younger and will be imprinted on you earlier.
- You can begin bonding, training, and developing a relationship and routine with your cat.
- You get support and advice from us in integrating the cat into your home and family.
- The cat doesn’t have to wait to experience having a home of his/her own and can avoid changing foster homes and adjusting to new environments more times than necessary.
Terms of This Agreement
This agreement is between Detroit Alley Cats and the Foster Parent (You). Detroit Alley Cats agrees to give you possession of a foster cat/kitten contingent upon the terms outlined below. As a foster parent, you agree to the following terms:
Adoption Fee
- Adoption fee is $200 for kittens and $160 for cats older than 6 months
- Adoption fee is due at the time of pick-up and entering into the Foster-To-Adopt agreement.
- Adoption fee is non-refundable after 5 days.
- Covers spay/neuter, first distemper vaccine, rabies vaccine, a combo test for FIV/FeLV and a microchip. See more information on essential vetting appointment below.
- You may choose to use your own veterinarian at your own expense instead. See additional information below. If you choose to take the cat to your own vet instead, the foster-to-adoption fee is $60 for kittens or cats of any age. This is without any essential vetting performed by our vet.
- If any other essential vetting services were performed by our vet prior to you entering the foster-to-adoption agreement, we will add those services to your $60 adoption fee, but we will not charge you for any services you’ll be doing at your own vet.
Foster Care
- All supplies including food and litter must be provided by you while the cat is in your foster care.
- You must assume all responsibility for the cat’s wellbeing.
- Cat must be kept primarily indoors and NOT left outside unsupervised, even in a fenced yard, for extended periods. If the Foster Parent does not have a fenced yard, the cat will live inside at all times and not be taken outside without a harness.
- You must comply with all state and local laws relative to the keeping and care of the animal.
- You agree to be responsible for arranging for the safe care of all foster cat(s) in the event of travel and agree to pay all related boarding expenses if necessary.
Essential Vetting Appointment
- You are required to take the cat to the essential vetting appointment. We have no flexibility with the appointment spot times with our discounted services, so we ask that you please make it work to bring the cat to the appointment date we give you.
- Appointment will be made by Detroit Alley Cats, and we will contact you to confirm the date, time and location as soon as we receive an appointment spot for you.
- The cat/kitten must be in good health in the days leading up to the appointment and display no symptoms of illness such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, excessive sneezing and/or coughing. If the cat is sick within 1 week of your appointment, please contact our adoption coordinator.
- Rescheduling: please give us as much advance for rescheduling as possible. Cancellations under 24 hours and no-shows cost us a $60 fee. We will need this reimbursed from you to reschedule the appointment. Please understand that short-notice cancellations can cause major scheduling complications for all cats in our program, and takes the spot away from other cats that badly need it.
Alternative Spay/Neuter/Vaccination Appointment
- Detroit Alley Cats gives you the option of taking the cat/kitten to your own vet for their spay/neuter/vaccination appointment at your expense.
- The cat must receive spay/neuter and rabies + distemper vaccine at the minimum.
- The spay/neuter/vaccination appointment must be within 6 months of adoption date.
- Should you take this option, we require a verification of your spay/neuter appointment emailed to – info@detroitalleycats.org
- The total adoption fee for this option is $60 for kittens or cats any age.
Medical Needs
- Detroit Alley Cats will take every precaution necessary to ensure that the cat(s) are in good health prior to entering into this agreement. However, Detroit Alley Cats cannot be held responsible/liable for any unforeseen health problem that may develop once the animal is in your care prior to and after the adoption is completed. If unforeseen problems arise, you are responsible for keeping the animal separated from any other resident pets (in cases of contagious and/or easily transmittable illnesses) and you are also responsible for any medical needs of resident animals as a result of such.
- You are responsible for the scheduling, transportation and cost of all and any medical treatment of your cat once entering into a foster-to-adoption agreement, this is includes any medical treatment not included in the Essential Vetting Appointment explained above and covered by the adoption fee.
- If there are other cats in your home, you have the option to take the cat to receive an FIV/FeLV test and vaccines prior to our essential vetting appointment and bringing them into the space they share with your cat. This is to eliminate the risk of bringing home an FIV/FeLV positive cat. This can be done at the list of clinics we have an account with and is covered by your adoption fee. If the cat turns out to be positive for FIV/FeLV, your adoption fee is refundable even if it has been over 5 days since you paid. This is also reviewed case by case during your adoption interview.
Damage
- You hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless Detroit Alley Cats, and its Board of Directors, from any and all liability arising out of or in consequence of, or injury sustained as a result of, any activity connected with volunteering for Detroit Alley Cats as a foster home or adopting a Detroit Alley Cat.