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Foster families should provide:

A healthy and safe environment for the foster cats to thrive in. This means understanding

and complying with cross-contamination prevention methods such as washing hands

between interacting with personal cats and foster cats for the first 2 weeks of fostering.

Transportation to and from adoption events and vet appointments is preferred. Ability to 

transport in case of emergency is required. 

Socialization and cuddle time to help teach the cats about positive family and pet relationships.

Exercise and positive stimulation as appropriate for different cats/kittens.

Grooming when necessary - trimming nails, brushing if tolerated, and bathing in some circumstances. 

Attention to condition of stool, paw pads, ears, respiratory system, etc. to ensure full awareness of the health of the foster pet.

Secure and safe introductory/isolation room.

Ability to host ASHA check-ins to see the foster pet within 24 hours if necessary

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Fostering in your home

Fostering can last from a few weeks to a year plus.

You can also be a foster for only a set amount of time

depending on your availability. We match your skills to the animal you

foster, and provide equipment like litter boxes, bowls, and carriers.

ASHA loves it when a fosters provide the basic supplies such as;

litter, food, and toys for their foster animal, but we will provide all

of the necessities if needed. ASHA covers all vet bills & medications, manages their online adoption profiles, and every animal is microchipped. We of course screen potential adopters before they meet your foster pet and potentially become their forever family. 
 

Our cat foster program is designed to help kittens, adolescents, and adult cats alike get a second chance at finding a home — a chance they may not get at a shelter. Many of the cats who are with ASHA have come off the streets and in a loving foster home, every cat can get the individual attention he or she needs to build trust with humans and soon find a forever family.

 

Fostering can be a lot of work, but it is a very rewarding experience. ​To become a foster, first submit the foster application, and then once approved we will need and then once approved and the foster contract & volunteer waiver.

Social Media Manager

Updating Our Audiences & Community

ASHA need help sharing the many rescued cats and kittens in need, informing audiences of upcoming events, creating event pages, posting adoption updates, and sharing general animal welfare information on Facebook and Instagram. We would like to expand to YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat if our social media manager is willing to put consistent effort into those platforms also!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
Cat and Working

Foster Manager & Coordinator

We need a dedicated and organized volunteer to check in with our volunteer foster families once a week for updates on their ASHA kitties. General updates should be shared with the Social Media Manager- along with photos, to keep our community audiences informed of currently available kitties. Medical updates should be shared with our Director so potential veterinary needs can be evaluated. 

Volunteering At Partner Pet Stores

We have adoptable cats in public cages at the Petco in Columbia, the Petco in Ellicott City and the Pet Supplies Plus in Eldersburg. We currently have a variety if shifts that need filling, both AM and PM. This is usually a minimum of 30 minutes per shift for feeding, cleaning, and playing - but the kitties always love extra time if you've got it!

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Community Adoption Events

ASHA has been attending some of these events for years, and we rely on our volunteers who enjoy engaging the public to make that possible!

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World of Pets Expo

Every January the Maryland State Fairgrounds fill with animal lovers - and ASHA introduces them to their potential next kitty! This is a 3 day event; 4 counting set up. All helpers are welcome!

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Each summer or autumn this outdoor event makes ASHA kitties feel welcome among the many dog activities of the day.

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Volunteer-Led Events

Volunteers can set up their own community events - if you're part of a recurring or one-time market, festival, or neighborhood event, let us know if adoptable kitties would be welcome!

Occasional Volunteering

  • TRANSPORT

    • If you can't have pets at home but want to make a huge difference for our foster cats, lend us your time and wheels to get the animals to their vet appointments. 

  • SPECIAL SKILLS

    • If you have a special skill to donate your time in, such as photography, grooming, art, etc. we'd love to make an appointment for you to meet our rescue animals and figure out how you can help them be seen, supported, and adopted.

  • EDUCATIONAL EVENTS

    • If you are educated on animal welfare, love to teach and want to work with us to spread this knowledge to Cub Scouts, Daisy Troops, apartment complex residents where ASHA conducts TNR, senior centers, etc. we have foundational materials for that. We can collaborate to create a personalized flyer for the event if needed, and encourage volunteers to lead these events when we get requests for them. 

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