Maximum Allowable Limit
Foster Homes
For the safety of RCR fosters and the animals in their care and to manage the risk of a large intake of cats at one time, an RCR foster can have a maximum of 10 animals in their care at any given time which includes up to a maximum of 7 cats. The number of cats placed with an RCR foster will depend on several factors, including the type of animals in the foster’s care, the foster’s resources and capacity, etc. Where the maximum animal limit is exceeded, RCR will take immediate steps to reduce the number of animals in the subject foster home, including the use of other foster homes. No new foster cats will be placed in the foster home that is at capacity, even if the foster is willing to take the cats.
Large Rescue Intakes
In the case of a large rescue intake (E.g., several cats rescued from one location), the cats that will be taken into RCR care will be determined based on the financial resources of the rescue and the capacity of the RCR foster system. Where possible, preference will be given to females old enough to breed, young cats and kittens, and males over the age of six months. Decisions on the number of cats rescued at one time will be made based on capacity across the foster care system, not one foster home’s willingness to take on large numbers of rescues at one time. Priority will be given to cats and kittens identified by the Community Cat Team Leads as in need of rescue.
Exceptions to this Policy
It is acknowledged that situations may arise that warrant an exception to the maximum allowable limit of animals/cats in a foster home. For example, these situations may include failed adoptions/return of cat to original foster home; orphaned babies needing bottle feeding; nursing mothers with litters; cats and kittens that require specific medical interventions such as the provision of subcutaneous fluids and other medications requiring experienced cat care providers; those with serious injuries requiring immediate veterinary intervention and experienced post-care (e.g. limb amputation, severe frost bite, broken bones, etc.). Where these situations arise, they need to be approved by the board.