Most fosters have busy work schedules and resident cats of their own, so yes, it's possible! Fostering usually requires a time commitment of around 1-2 cuddle-filled hours per day, normally centered around meal times. Some foster projects may require more intensive efforts, such as those involving socialization or complex medical needs, but you’ll know about those needs beforehand!

We are now accepting foster applications from cat lovers all over Brooklyn. If you live slightly outside the area, but are willing and able to get cats back and forth to Flatbush as needed, that’s great too.

Fosters usually stay in a bathroom or a safe, smaller space away from your resident pets. If you have an extra room like a small office, that’s fantastic, but it’s not required.

Foster cats often do not meet resident cats at all! If your foster has been with you for a few weeks, has been vaccinated and tested, and you want them to meet your forever buddies, let us know and we’ll walk you through the introduction process. Many foster parents eventually prefer to have their fosters out of the bathroom and hanging out with their residents; it depends on your space, your pets, and your schedule.

Fostering typically lasts approximately 1-2 months, or until your foster is adopted. It can last shorter or longer, but is typically longer for young kittens in the summer or for special needs situations. Make sure you don't have any major travel planned during that time frame; if you’re away for a few days, however, we may be able to find you a volunteer to stop by.

Most volunteers choose to purchase their own supplies for fosters, including food, litter, litter boxes, toys and bedding. That generosity allows us to put more of our limited resources toward our mission to end the outdoor cat crisis in Brooklyn. We recognize this may represent a financial barrier, so to keep our volunteer experience accessible for more of our neighbors, we can provide limited food donations if needed. We are also able to lend out some supplies, such as carriers and crates. Unreimbursed expenses related to fostering with us are considered tax-deductible charitable donations which can be written off annually. Flatbush Cats covers 100% of medical costs.

Live outside NYC but still want to help? Foster Coordinators support our fosters remotely, managing 5–8 cases and ensuring volunteers have what they need to succeed. This fully remote role requires about 5–10 hours per week and can be done from anywhere in the U.S.

Learn more and apply here.