During kitten season, local rescues need foster homes

It’s kitten season, which is when many animal shelters and rescues need more foster homes.

Madison-based Underdog Pet Rescue is one of the organizations experiencing a high influx of pregnant cats and litters of kittens this season, says Joleen Zimbal, development director for the shelter.

The rescue works with overcrowded shelters, mostly in the South, to take in all breeds of animals, such as dogs, cats and guinea pigs.  Since Underdog doesn’t have a shelter, the organization relies completely on foster homes to care for its animals. Foster-based rescues allow organizations to learn more about an animal’s personality and needs to better match them with their forever homes.

Underdog is looking for temporary fosters to house cats and kittens, Zimbal says.

“This could be just for a weekend here and there to give the regular foster some relief, this could also look like having a litter or two throughout the season or even going hard and having many litters during the season and then taking the rest of the year off,” Zimbal says.

Some of the kittens require extra care, like bottle feeding, she says. The rescue takes care of all the medical needs, including deworming medication and spaying or neutering.

“Fostering is what helps us the most,” she says.

Underdog is accepting new foster parents and people can apply online here. The rescue provides training and a foster mentor to guide new people along the way, Zimbal said. While foster experience isn’t necessary, it is preferred, she says. For other area organizations that might need foster home support, click here for a list of 18 Madison-area rescues, fosters and shelters.

If you’re unable to foster a kitten, Underdog is also in need of donations and supplies during this season, Zimbal says. You can donate to the rescue’s Amazon Wishlist. The rescue has also grown so much that it needs a new location, and workers are in the process of raising money for a Capital Campaign for a larger space. A larger space would allow Underdog to provide more services, such as grooming, and possibly keep animals on site.