FOSTER FAQ

How wonderful of you to offer to foster! Please contact us if you have a question that is not answered in the faq below, which will remain under construction with new information added as new questions are asked. You may also want to read about the basics of fostering.

Table of Contents

1. How do I sign up to Foster?
2. How do I introduce the new cat to my household? (Choose One)

• a. My household has no other animals living here.
• b. My household has one of more other cats living here already.
• c. My household has one or more other cats and a dog living here already.

3. Are the animals that need to be fostered spayed and neutered?
4. Is there any risk to my own cats?
5. How do I offer to foster another type of animal as well?
6. Why should I support the US military?

Answers

1. How do I sign up to Foster?
   
   Answer:
   Before you sign up to foster, it is very important you read the information we provide to the military by using the links offered on the menu to the left of this page. You will see reference to the suggested contract which is offered for your protection and that of the military person so that no questions about ownership or liability for costs occur at a a future time - this contract is only a general suggestion and should be reviewed by your own attorney. We also suggest that the military provide you with a cat resume, which should include essential information about prior prior cat health issues and veterinary history.
   
   Once you have read the information provided to the military and the contract, you can sign up to foster by adding your name to our database so those needing foster in your area can find your information - that is the only way we have to keep track of the fosterers who have signed up. Just go to the Sign Up Page and enter your information and then click "ADD" at the bottom of the page. Please do fill out every field on the form or the information will not be added to the database. Also, only military or paramilitary personnel and administrators of Operation Noble Foster may view the database, so a degree of privacy is assured.

2. How do I introduce the new cat to my household?
3.  
   1. My household has no other animals living here.
      Answer
      
      
   2. My household has one of more other cats living here already.
      Answer
      
      
   3. My household has one or more other cats and a dog living here already.
      Answer
      
      
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5. 
   
   

3. Are the animals that need to be fostered spayed and neutered?
   
   Answer
   We strongly suggest that the military spay/neuter their cat before placement. Whole animals may mark their territory and be aggressive towards other cats, which could cause problems in fostering. If the military person's cat is whole, we suggest that you ask them to provide permission to spay/neuter unless you have the facilities & experience to foster a whole animal and the circumstances are such that spay/neuter is not a viable option.
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4. 
   
   

4. Is there any risk to my own cats?
   
   Answer
   Minimally, the military person who is asking for a foster should provide:

   • proof of recent negative FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) & FELV (Feline Leukemia Virus) testing.
   • a veterinary assessment of the cat to rule out contagious diseases immediatlely prior to placement.
   • a complete veterinary history of the cat including vaccine history and illnesses.

   Given this information, your veterinarian will be in a position to advise you of any potential risk to your cats. Generally, an indoor only cat which has tested negative for FIV and FeLV and passed a veterinary exam will pose little danger to your pet if gradually introduced.
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5. 
   
   

5. How do I offer to foster another type of animal as well?
   
   Answer
   NetPets.Org MilitaryPetsFoster provides a network of individual foster homes who will be able to care for the other pets (not cats) of all those in the military and all other para-military personnel that will be going overseas during these trying times: To offer to foster a dog, bird, ferret, reptile or pot belly pig, please send your Name and/or the Name of your Rescue Organization, Your Location, and your Phone Number to NetPets MilitaryPets Foster with the subject line including "Foster Home Application" and your State or Country of residence.
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6. 
   
   

6. Why should I support the US military?
   
   Answer
   A California mother whose son was in Kuwait, wrote her son asking how he would feel if she joined other relatives of service members in an anti-war demonstration in Hollywood last month. After reading her son's response, she elected not to participate. Here's her son's response:

   Dear Mom, It's really your decision to march if you want to or not. You are the one who has to decide if what we are doing out here is right or not. My opinion is not yours. I do, however, have things I would like for you and Grandma and everyone else at home to know. I am a United States soldier. I was sworn to defend my country against all enemies, foreign and domestic. People may not agree with the things we are ordered to do. I would like to address those people by telling them that terrorism is not only a threat to us as Americans, but to many other innocent people in the world. What type of country would we be if we didn't defend the rights and freedoms of others, not because they're Americans, but how about just because they're human? We live in a country where people feel secure with their daily lives. They do business like usual and don't worry about the thought of terrorism actually happening to them. The people of 9-11 thought the same thing. We now know that it can happen to anyone at any time. Yet as Americans we're afraid of losing our soldiers to defend our security. I can only speak for myself when I say that my life is an easy expense to ensure that my family and friends can live in peace. I strongly believe in what we are doing and wish you were here to see for yourselves the honor and privilege that American soldiers aboard this ship are feeling, knowing that we are going to be a part of something so strong and so meaningful to the safety of our loved ones. Then you would know what this potential war is about. We will stand tall in front of terrorism and defeat it. We as soldiers are not afraid of what may happen. We are only afraid of Americans not being able to understand why we are here. I ask for your courage as Americans to be strong for us; I ask for your understanding in what we believe is right. I ask for your support in what we are sworn to do: defend our country and the life of all. We will succeed in our task and will end the threat of terrorism in our back yard. We will also end the threat of terrorism in our neighbors'. We have to remind ourselves of what this country stands for: life, liberty and justice for all. In order to maintain those rights we have to stop the threat of terrorism. I am proud to be here. I will be coming home, but not until I know that it's going to be safe for all Americans and for everyone I love. My family is first. My country is where they live. I will defend it.
   
   Lonnie J. Lewis
   Navy corpsman
   C Co. 1/4 WPN PLT
   UIC 39726 FPO AP 966139726
   
   P.S. Mom, please send this to everyone who has a hard time understanding why we are here. Ask the paper to put what I've said in a column so that others will know why we are here and what we are here for. I love you all and will be home soon. I left my address so that if anyone feels like writing to let me know how they feel, they can.
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