Become a Foster
Open your home. Change a cat’s life
At TNR La Pêche, we don't have a shelter…
Our foster families are our shelter
When you foster, you give a cat a safe place to land.
You give them time to decompress, heal, grow, learn to trust and show their personality.
You give us the opportunity to find them the right forever home.
To help more cats, we need more foster homes.
Thinking about fostering?
Fostering isn't about having the perfect home or years of cat experience.
It's about having a safe space, time to give, and a willingness to help.
There are a few key requirements to foster with TNR La Pêche, including:
Living close enough to La Pêche, which includes Ottawa and Gatineau
Being 18 years of age or older
Being legally permitted to have a cat in your home
Having regular and reliable access to a vehicle for veterinary appointments, emergencies and other rescue-related transportation
Have a safe, secure space where your foster cat can stay indoors at all times.
If you have pets already: appropriate separate space when they arrive and be isolated from resident pets for approximately 10–14 days, unclear the vet gives the all-clear.
What to expect from us
Guidance & support
You don't need to be a cat expert. We'll provide guidance and support throughout your foster experience.
Finding the right fit
We'll work with you to find the right cat or kittens for you to foster.
Supplies provided
We'll give you supplies before their arrival and restock them as needed, including food and litter.
Veterinary care
Once your foster cat is in your care, TNR La Pêche provides or coordinates all of their veterinary care, including spay/neuter surgery, microchipping, vaccinations and deworming treatment.
Adoption support
We manage their adoption process from start to finish, including promoting them (with your help on their personality and pictures!), screening applicants, and completing the adoption agreement.
You're part of the team
You'll also be part of our foster community, with a dedicated way to communicate with the TNR La Pêche team and connect with other foster families.
What types of cats need foster homes?
Every kind you can think of!
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Kittens and litters
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Mom cats with kittens
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Pregnant cats
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Friendly cats
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Shy cats
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Bonded pairs
What does fostering actually look like?
Every foster placement is different.
As a foster, you'll provide the day-to-day care your cat needs and help us get to know them and ensure they get adopted into a loving, forever home.
This includes:
Providing daily food, fresh water, clean litter and a safe environment
Giving your foster time, attention and patience
Helping a shy or fearful cat become more comfortable
Monitoring their health and behaviour
Sharing regular updates and photos with our team of volunteers
Helping us understand their personality, preferences and needs
Bringing your foster to veterinary appointments arranged by TNR La Pêche
Welcoming pre-approved potential adopters for meet-and-greets when your foster is ready
The things you discover about them — from their favourite toy to how they like to be cuddled — help us find the right forever home.
How long will I foster?
It depends on the cat.
Some cats may be adopted quickly. Others may need more time because of their age, personality, medical needs or other circumstances.
When you apply, you'll have an opportunity to tell us about your availability and the type of commitment you're able to make.
Ideally, we ask fosters to keep their foster cat until adoption whenever possible.
If your circumstances change, let us know right away and we'll work with you to determine the best solution.
We also have long-term, repeat fosters who help whenever they can.