My Experience as a Prospective Foster -- Timeline…read more
July 25:
I applied to become a foster and prepared my foster room so it would be ready for inspection.
July 26:
I received an email stating I had been accepted. I contacted the references I provided and learned that neither had actually been contacted. I was also not subjected to a phone interview, home inspection, foster training, or other screening that I have experienced with other organizations. At the time, this didn't concern me because I was eager to get started.
July 29:
The intake team welcomed me, and I explained that my daughter, who would be doing approximately 50% of the bottle-baby care, would be unavailable until August 10 while overseas. I was told this would be fine and that a litter would be pulled from animal control on August 11, brought to the Wheaton shelter for an intake exam, and then made available for me to pick up there. I was excited because I specifically chose this organization due to its location.
August 3:
I was asked if I could take two neonatal kittens. I explained that I could not start until August 10, as previously discussed. I was also told they may have already been committed to me, although I cannot confirm that.
August 7:
I followed up and was told the intake person had taken two kittens herself, despite previously telling me she already had six kittens in her incubator. I don't know the circumstances, but based on my previous fostering experience, adding more neonates to an already full incubator raised concerns for me. I was also told that the litter I had expected on August 11 had already been transferred.
August 11:
My anticipated start date came and I received no communication about a litter.
August 12:
I followed up and was told there were no kittens available. I was then asked to take two older kittens. I understand that every kitten needs a foster, but I specifically requested neonates because I have incubators and other equipment that can be particularly beneficial to neonatal kittens. I had also been told I would be fostering neonates.
Later that day, I was told neonatal kittens were available but that I would need to drive to Chicago to pick them up. This was problematic because I am new to the area and specifically chose the Wheaton organization for its location and my unfamiliarity with city driving. My phone then broke, so communication stopped temporarily.
August 15:
I got a new phone, contacted them, and apologized for the communication gap. They were understanding, which I appreciated.
August 18:
I was contacted about taking two neonates and asked if I could meet someone in Oak Park. I agreed. They later arranged for transportation to Wheaton, which I appreciated, and I began preparing to pick up the kittens.
Before doing so, another foster contacted me with concerns about the organization's medical practices. They described issues involving illnesses such as panleukopenia, Giardia, fleas, and ringworm allegedly circulating through the shelter, as well as concerns about containment and treatment.
I recognize that this information came from another foster and that I cannot personally verify every claim. However, it concerned me enough to research the organization further. After reading numerous reviews describing cats being sent home or returned with illnesses and other medical concerns, I became increasingly uncomfortable moving forward, particularly with vulnerable neonatal kittens.
I contacted the owner to ask questions about the concerns that had been raised and to give the organization an opportunity to explain its medical protocols. Unfortunately, I felt the response was very rude, hostile, and defensive, which further contributed to my decision.
Ultimately, I chose not to continue fostering with this organization. I am sharing my personal experience and clearly distinguishing it from information I was told by another foster. I cannot verify everything I heard and do not want to present rumors as facts.
However, fostering neonatal kittens is a significant responsibility. I need to have complete confidence in an organization's medical protocols, communication, transparency, and support before placing vulnerable kittens in my care. After this experience, I no longer felt comfortable doing so, and I decided it was best to withdraw from the foster program.
