Join HART’s Foster Club
Apply now to become a member of the lifesaving squad!
WE URGENTLY NEED FOSTERS FOR CATS AND KITTENS OF THE CENTRAL COAST
Kitten season is rampant from Spring to Fall and HART needs fosters who can help us save these vulnerable lives. Kitten fosters provide care and support to kittens until they are old enough to thrive on their own and be adopted.
Unfortunately, there are always more kittens and cats in need than fosters available to help them. You can make a huge impact by fostering these vulnerable animals, for a couple of weeks or more, and helping to spread the word about your experience to other potential foster parents.
HART provides all the food, supplies, veterinary care and support. All you need to provide is a warm home and plenty of TLC!
How to become a foster
To get started, complete the online application. Attend a mandatory online Foster Club orientation where you will learn everything you need to know about our program and ask any questions you may have.
Foster requirements
Ready to apply? Fill out our online foster application now.
Have questions? Email Brittany Donecho, HART Foster Coordinator at foster-coordinator@slohart.org
Not ready to foster just yet? You can still fill out our online application and attend our online Foster Club orientation for more information, then foster when the time is right for you.
Check out our "Orphan Kitten Kits" Amazon Wish List below
Kitten season is rampant from Spring to Fall and HART needs fosters who can help us save these vulnerable lives. Kitten fosters provide care and support to kittens until they are old enough to thrive on their own and be adopted.
Unfortunately, there are always more kittens and cats in need than fosters available to help them. You can make a huge impact by fostering these vulnerable animals, for a couple of weeks or more, and helping to spread the word about your experience to other potential foster parents.
HART provides all the food, supplies, veterinary care and support. All you need to provide is a warm home and plenty of TLC!
How to become a foster
To get started, complete the online application. Attend a mandatory online Foster Club orientation where you will learn everything you need to know about our program and ask any questions you may have.
Foster requirements
All fosters must:
- Be 18 years or older or have a parent or guardian who is willing to oversee the care of a foster animal.
- Be willing and able to bring your fosters into HART for follow-up veterinary appointments.
- Feed, replace litter and keep your foster’s area clean.
- Monitor your foster’s daily health.
- Provide TLC and socialization to your foster.
Ready to apply? Fill out our online foster application now.
Have questions? Email Brittany Donecho, HART Foster Coordinator at foster-coordinator@slohart.org
Not ready to foster just yet? You can still fill out our online application and attend our online Foster Club orientation for more information, then foster when the time is right for you.
Check out our "Orphan Kitten Kits" Amazon Wish List below
Cats in Need of a Foster Home
Many of our long-term HART residents grow tired of being in a shelter environment, where they can't receive consistent one-on-one love and affection. They rely on attention from our staff, volunteers, and visitors, which they must share with the multiple other cats in our shelter. The more shy or physically fragile cats may start to decline from being in a shelter for too long. Going to a loving and attentive foster home is a wonderful resource to help revive these cats in need.
HART provides support to all our foster families to ensure they have all of the tools they need to help them succeed. This includes the cost of medical care and any supplies the foster needs.
A good foster is someone willing to open their heart and home to a cat in need. Most cats don't require much space, but they need plenty of love and care in order to ensure they maintain good health and are well socialized to prepare them for adoption.
HART provides support to all our foster families to ensure they have all of the tools they need to help them succeed. This includes the cost of medical care and any supplies the foster needs.
A good foster is someone willing to open their heart and home to a cat in need. Most cats don't require much space, but they need plenty of love and care in order to ensure they maintain good health and are well socialized to prepare them for adoption.
Most Urgent Cats in Need
Below are some of our most urgent cats in need of a foster home. Whether due to stress, declining health, or a need for more socialization, these cats are not thriving in a shelter environment. We're hopeful finding them an attentive and caring foster will brighten their spirits, improve their health, and make them more adoptable. Please help or share their stories.
Danielle
Danielle, 3, was born with a congenital deformity of her hind legs, making them unusable. Although her condition affects her mobility, she has amazingly learned to adapt. She has learned to balance her body weight on her elbows, and walk on her front legs. In addition to her birth defect, Danielle has tested positive for Feline Leukemia. This disease weakens the immune system, potentially causing costly complications, and often, a shortened lifespan.
Danielle came to HART recently after she was found living and raising 3 consecutive litters of kittens under a dumpster. HART stepped up to give her a warm, safe place to live. Despite living on the streets, Danielle amazingly craves affection and attention from humans. Danielle is brave, resourceful, resilient, a survivor, an amazing mama, and a lovebug - and is truly worthy of the better life we want to give her.
Danielle came to HART recently after she was found living and raising 3 consecutive litters of kittens under a dumpster. HART stepped up to give her a warm, safe place to live. Despite living on the streets, Danielle amazingly craves affection and attention from humans. Danielle is brave, resourceful, resilient, a survivor, an amazing mama, and a lovebug - and is truly worthy of the better life we want to give her.
Bella
Bella is a very special girl to all of us here at HART. She is a survivor, and deserves the most special family and fur-ever home. Bella had been relinquished to Animal Services after being in a home where she was abused. Because of her past trauma, she was terrified when she arrived at Animal Services, and it was recommended that she be euthanized because her fear made her unapproachable. HART's Medical Director rescued Bella from Animal Services and brought her to HART to begin recovery. She has made slow, but steady, progress over the past 6 months.
We have watched her make a miraculous transformation from a scared, distrusting, hissing, spitting, growling, biting, cowering cat into a friendly, happy, trusting, curious, playful, and loving cat - when she is having a good day. Luckily, her good days are happening more and more often as she learns to trust humans again. She has had her own room at HART, so we are unsure how she will do with other cats, children, or dogs. We feel she will likely do best as an only pet in a calm, quiet, loving household. She has been declawed, so she needs to be kept indoor-only. She needs a family who is patient and understanding, and who is willing to help her continue to heal. Call or email HART if you are interested in giving Beautiful Bella the loving home she deserves.
We have watched her make a miraculous transformation from a scared, distrusting, hissing, spitting, growling, biting, cowering cat into a friendly, happy, trusting, curious, playful, and loving cat - when she is having a good day. Luckily, her good days are happening more and more often as she learns to trust humans again. She has had her own room at HART, so we are unsure how she will do with other cats, children, or dogs. We feel she will likely do best as an only pet in a calm, quiet, loving household. She has been declawed, so she needs to be kept indoor-only. She needs a family who is patient and understanding, and who is willing to help her continue to heal. Call or email HART if you are interested in giving Beautiful Bella the loving home she deserves.
Sassy
12-year-old Sassy came to HART approximately 3 months ago. Her previous people got a new puppy, and that didn’t go over well with poor Sassy. She was terrified of the new puppy. Unfortunately, her former people decided Sassy should be euthanized because of this. Luckily, a brave volunteer stepped in and convinced them to relinquish Sassy to HART. To date, Sassy has been “a little mad." And who can blame her? She has been very vocal about her displeasure in being replaced, uprooted, and living in an unfamiliar environment with strangers. Until recently, Sassy has been aggressive towards most people. However; our new Medical Director, Stacey, is beginning to form a bond with her. Sassy sits in her lap, purrs, and seeks attention from Stacey. Some days it is all still a little overwhelming for her, but we are excited and encouraged to see the progress she is making. Sassy really needs someone who she can trust and bond with. She should go to a home where she is kept indoors as an only-cat, and definitely no dogs. We believe Sassy truly wants to be a sweet lap cat, she just needs the right person to find her. If you are interested in giving this beautiful girl a second chance at happiness, call or stop by HART, and we'd be happy to introduce you to her.
Missy
Missy is a stunning senior at 14-years old with classically beautiful Siamese markings. Her sweet face matches her beautiful and kind soul. She loves curling on your lap for warm cuddles and purrs, and also enjoys basking in a sunny window. She'll often meet you at the door with a friendly, quiet "meow." Missy has developed some health challenges as she has aged, but she is taking it all in stride. Missy needs to be an indoor-only cat. She is currently on medication for hyperthyroidism and also taking medication to help with intestinal motility. She has mild asthma, but currently does not need medication for it. Missy needed to have her teeth extracted due to dental issues, but you wouldn't know it by watching her eat! She attacks her catnip toys as if she was a saber-toothed tiger! This beautiful girl is currently taking applications for someone extra special to spend her golden years with.
Cosmo
Sweet Cosmo is still looking for a foster, or better yet, a fur-ever home. Cosmo was left behind when his owners moved out of Cambria, and has been at HART for 8 months. This sweet and gentle boy is just 8 years old, and isn't his best self in the shelter. He's ready for a home. We're hoping to get Cosmo into a foster or permanent home where he can receive consistent care, affection, and love. Cosmo is an amazing cat that deserves to be loved and happy. He enjoys spending time with people, being brushed, petted, or just having someone nearby for company. Cosmo enjoys eating to lift his mood, and has gained weight while in the shelter. Being in a home can help him feel happier so that he can manage his weight.
Oscar
Oscar is a handsome senior who just celebrated his 13th birthday. He has been waiting for his special person for over 1 year already. He is independent, and is "Top Cat" here at HART. The other cats know who's boss when he walks into the room. Oscar is gentle and sweet with people, and loves to have his fur stroked while he's sitting in his favorite sunny spot. He also likes to be gently brushed. Bring out a wand toy or catnip, and Oscar loves to play and show everyone how tough he still is.
As he has aged, Oscar has developed painful Arthritis, so sometimes he is "Oscar the Grouch" when his joints are hurting. Some days, it doesn't even feel good to be petted, and the only way he can tell you that he doesn't feel well is by lightly swiping. Oscar came to live at HART when his owner could no longer care for him. He had lived primarily indoor/outdoor, but has now adjusted nicely to being indoor-only. Oscar would do well in a quiet home as an only-cat, or with other calm cats and some space to call his own. He would really love to find someone wonderful to love him in his Golden Years.
As he has aged, Oscar has developed painful Arthritis, so sometimes he is "Oscar the Grouch" when his joints are hurting. Some days, it doesn't even feel good to be petted, and the only way he can tell you that he doesn't feel well is by lightly swiping. Oscar came to live at HART when his owner could no longer care for him. He had lived primarily indoor/outdoor, but has now adjusted nicely to being indoor-only. Oscar would do well in a quiet home as an only-cat, or with other calm cats and some space to call his own. He would really love to find someone wonderful to love him in his Golden Years.
Orphan Kitten Amazon Wish List
Kitten season is rampant early spring throughout the fall seasons. Taking in hundreds of kittens means running through supplies pretty quickly. Please consider donating an item from our Orphan Kitten Kit Wishlist on Amazon. You can choose from a selection of Orphan Kitten Kit supplies that will be delivered to H.A.R.T. Thank you for any contribution - no matter how big or small - our cats LOVE deliveries (mostly for the box the presents arrive in)!
HART Foster Club Official Merchandise
Gloria - Our Foster Club Mascot
Gloria first came to HART as a feral kitten in May of 2015. She was adopted in August of that year and lived with her new family for a short number of years before developing MAJOR signs of fear, anxiety and stress causing her to be relinquished back to HART.
Once back at the shelter, she had proved to be a challenging case and we knew she would require a dedicated foster and a comprehensive plan to increase her confidence, modify her behaviors and land her in a new home, this time forever.
We incorporated a consistent schedule of behavior modification using Jackson Galaxy's Cat Pawsitive Program, sent her to our partner vets for a thorough workup and modified her living space to include Fear Free additions. Shortly after, we matched Gloria with a wonderful foster mom, Christina, who was committed to continuing her shelter routine in her home to ensure she would make the progress she desperately needed to get adopted.
After months of dedicated Cat Pawsitive training with her foster mom, as well as behavioral and medical consults, Gloria had made immense progress and was ready to find her forever family. The HART crew was overjoyed when we learned her forever home would be with her foster mom. The two had developed a strong bond and cosmic love for each other and we knew Gloria would continue to make strides.
Once back at the shelter, she had proved to be a challenging case and we knew she would require a dedicated foster and a comprehensive plan to increase her confidence, modify her behaviors and land her in a new home, this time forever.
We incorporated a consistent schedule of behavior modification using Jackson Galaxy's Cat Pawsitive Program, sent her to our partner vets for a thorough workup and modified her living space to include Fear Free additions. Shortly after, we matched Gloria with a wonderful foster mom, Christina, who was committed to continuing her shelter routine in her home to ensure she would make the progress she desperately needed to get adopted.
After months of dedicated Cat Pawsitive training with her foster mom, as well as behavioral and medical consults, Gloria had made immense progress and was ready to find her forever family. The HART crew was overjoyed when we learned her forever home would be with her foster mom. The two had developed a strong bond and cosmic love for each other and we knew Gloria would continue to make strides.
Christina is rocking her 'Gloria' crewneck sweater while snuggling with the official HART Foster Club mascot herself!
Your purchase will support the life-saving efforts of the HART Foster Club
Your purchase will support the life-saving efforts of the HART Foster Club
FOSTER CLUB MERCHANDISE
The Homeless Animal Rescue Team's Foster Club was established in 2019 and has since saved hundreds of vulnerable lives, recruited dozens of foster families and raised a large number of funds that have been used for necessary supplies and medical care of fostered animals.
Your purchase will support the life-saving efforts of the HART Foster Club. Love the Foster Club 'Gloria' design? We now have her adorable face on apparel and all purchases will support HART's Foster Club! Learn more about our exclusive 'Gloria' apparel HERE.
Your purchase will support the life-saving efforts of the HART Foster Club. Love the Foster Club 'Gloria' design? We now have her adorable face on apparel and all purchases will support HART's Foster Club! Learn more about our exclusive 'Gloria' apparel HERE.
Foster Club Magnet - Kittens
HART kittens magnet. These adorable babies were nicknamed the "Harmony kittens", rescued with their mama in Harmony, Ca just south of Cambria. They received amazing love and care with an incredible foster club family! They are now all happily in their forever homes.
Size 3" x 3"
$3.00
2 for $5.00
Mix & Match 2 for $5 (1 kitten & 1 cat )
Size 3" x 3"
$3.00
2 for $5.00
Mix & Match 2 for $5 (1 kitten & 1 cat )
Foster Club Magnet - Adult
HART adult magnet. This sweet girl is named "Smokey", a senior cat rescued as a homeless stray right here in Cambria, Ca. She was injured and in urgent need of medical care when HART took her in. After lots of love and healing received in a caring foster home, Smokey has since been adopted. She has become one of the many Foster Club success stories. Cats given a second chance at life and love thanks to the incredible members of our Foster Club who open up their hearts and homes to the most vulnerable in need.
Size 2.56" x 3"
$3.00
2 for $5.00
Mix & Match 2 for $5 (1 kitten & 1 cat )
Size 2.56" x 3"
$3.00
2 for $5.00
Mix & Match 2 for $5 (1 kitten & 1 cat )
Foster Club Sticker
The HART Foster Club Sticker features Cat Pawsitive success story, Gloria. She was matched with a wonderful foster mom who was committed to continuing her Cat Pawsitive training that was established here at the shelter. After months of dedicated training and immense progress was made ... the HART crew was overjoyed to learn the two had developed such a strong bond and cosmic love for each other that Gloria's foster mom had decided to adopt her! We knew Gloria would continue to make tremendous strides.
Love the Foster Club 'Gloria' design? We now have her adorable face on apparel and all purchases will support the life-saving efforts of the HART Foster Club! Learn more about Gloria's story and our exclusive 'Gloria' apparel HERE. Artwork by Scott Donecho.
Foster Club Sticker
3" x 3"
$2.00
Love the Foster Club 'Gloria' design? We now have her adorable face on apparel and all purchases will support the life-saving efforts of the HART Foster Club! Learn more about Gloria's story and our exclusive 'Gloria' apparel HERE. Artwork by Scott Donecho.
Foster Club Sticker
3" x 3"
$2.00