Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone who can provide a safe, indoor-only space is welcome to foster. That could be for a few days, a few weeks, or a few months depending on the cat's adoption journey. If you have other pets, it's important that you’re able to keep the foster cat in a separate room or defined area to reduce stress and avoid potential conflict. All our rescues stay strictly indoors while in foster, for their safety and wellbeing.

Yes, absolutely! If you’re already a cat owner, you’re in a great position to foster. Some of our rescue cats are fine with other felines, while others prefer their own space. Either way, what’s most important is that you have a separate, secure area—like a spare room or home office—where the foster cat can feel safe and comfortable. If your resident cat is friendly and introductions are appropriate, we’ll guide you through that process. However, as introducing cats can be stressful and takes time, especially when the foster cat is only with you temporarily, we take a pragmatic approach. So even if the cats do meet, it’s essential you’re still able to keep them apart if needed.

That depends on the space and time you have available, but we usually recommend no more than two or three at a time. Most of our foster carers look after just one cat, but we do sometimes place bonded pairs or cats that get along well together. As long as you can give them the space, attention, and security they need, we’re happy to chat about what works for you.

Not at all! You can apply to adopt without fostering first - whether you're brand new to cat ownership or a seasoned pro. That said, some of our fosters do fall in love and end up adopting their foster cats. It happens more often than you'd think! Fostering can also be a good way to explore the commitment of cat ownership without going "all in" straight away.

We ask our foster carers to kindly provide food and litter for their foster cat. Think of it like all the joys of adoption, but with more flexibility. Every Cat Matters covers the cost of any necessary veterinary treatment or medical care, so you’ll never be out of pocket for vet bills caused by illness or injury. The only exception is if costs arise through neglect or improper care, which will need to be covered by the fosterer. And remember, we’re always here to guide and support you if you’re ever unsure about something.

Each case is different—some cats find homes within days, others may stay for a few months. We always try to match cats to adopters as quickly as possible without rushing the process. We’ll keep you updated along the way.

We’re here for you every step of the way. From providing advice and guidance to arranging vet visits and promoting your foster cat for adoption, you’ll be part of a team that’s only ever a message away.

Absolutely. We’ll always match you with a cat (or cats) that suit your space, experience, and comfort level. We’ll never place a cat with you that you’re not happy or confident to foster.

We don’t have a formal “trial” period, but we work closely with adopters to make sure the match is right. We’ll support you through the early weeks and, if things don’t work out, we’ll always take the cat back and continue the search for the perfect home.

Yes, as long as everyone in the household is on board and the environment is suitable. We take into account a cat’s temperament and history when matching them to homes with children or other animals.

We welcome adopters of all backgrounds, as long as you can provide a safe, loving, and secure indoor-only home for the long term. You'll need to: Be 18 or older Have the right to live in the UK Have a stable living situation (whether you rent or own - with permission for pets if renting) Have a regular income Be prepared to meet the ongoing physical and emotional needs of your new cat While we don’t have a maximum age limit, we may discuss future care plans with adopters over 65 - particularly when adopting young or very active cats, just to ensure there’s a long-term support plan in place, if needed.

Not at all! You can apply to adopt without fostering first - whether you're brand new to cat ownership or a seasoned pro. That said, some of our fosters do fall in love and end up adopting their foster cats. It happens more often than you'd think! Fostering can also be a good way to explore the commitment of cat ownership without going all in straight away.

We’d love for everyone to meet their future feline in person - but because we’re an international rescue this isn't always possible as most of our cats are saved and fostered in the UAE. We do have some cats fostered here in the UK, but which cats and how many depend on space and availability with our foster network. While in-person meetings aren’t always possible, we take plenty of photos and videos so you can get to know them, and we’re happy to arrange Zoom calls to chat about their personality, habits, and needs. It’s the next best thing to meeting them yourself - and we’ll always be honest about their quirks and cuddles!

Absolutely! Everyone starts somewhere, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Whether you’re adopting or fostering for the first time, we’ll answer all your questions, give you tailored advice, and make sure you feel confident and supported.

Yes - all of our cats are adopted as indoor-only pets. This helps keep them safe and healthy, especially if they’ve come from vulnerable situations. However, if you have a fully cat-proofed garden (using netting, roller bars, or a catio), we’re happy to discuss supervised outdoor access. In rare cases, we may consider adoption to a home with outdoor access if a particular cat's personality really needs it, but this is always considered on a case-by-case basis.

Yes, every adoption or foster placement involves a home check. This is part of our promise to make sure each cat goes to a safe, secure, and loving environment. Home checks are usually done via WhatsApp video at a time that suits you, or you can send us a walk-through video by email. In some cases, depending on your location or the specific needs of a cat, we may arrange a visit in person.

Yes, as long as your dog is cat-friendly and you’re able to keep the new cat safely separated at first. Like any introduction between animals, it takes patience and proper supervision. We’ll help guide you through the process and make sure it’s a good fit for everyone. Giving your foster or adopted cat a separate space at the start helps ease the transition and keeps stress to a minimum - for both your new arrival and your resident pets.