Tina Moore, a volunteer foster carer for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, had cared for just over 140 cats in the eight years since 2015, according to Battersea’s 27 November 2023 story about her work. That figure is a dated milestone, not a current total. The story also shows what cat fostering actually involves: a temporary home, round-the-clock care where needed, and a steady handover to a permanent family. This guide explains how the arrangement works, who can take part, and what Battersea’s published guidance says about eligibility and support.
What Tina Moore’s record shows
Battersea’s 2023 profile follows Moore across cats of very different ages, from senior strays to young kittens. Her role is to give each cat a home setting while it gets ready for a permanent home. In her own words:
“The best thing about caring for a Battersea foster cat is watching them grow into happy and confident felines. Helping them get used to life in a home environment so they can thrive in a forever home.”
The count belongs to Battersea’s reporting at the time. Battersea does not publish a running total for individual carers in the sources used here, so treat “just over 140” as the figure for the period the 2023 story covered. Nor does the story offer an independent evaluation of outcomes for her cats; the account of her work comes from Battersea and from Moore herself.
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Why Battersea places some cats in foster homes
Battersea says foster care suits cats whose welfare is likely to benefit from a home setting. It names three groups:
- Cats stressed by cattery life. Rosy Price, identified in the 2023 story as Interim Head of Volunteering Fostering and Communities, described how rescue animals can find a cattery or kennel “quite a stressful experience.” A home lets them settle in a more familiar setting.
- Cats with medical needs. A foster home can offer more continuous, one-to-one attention during recovery or treatment.
- Very young cats. Kittens are often too young for a shelter environment and are placed with carers until they reach nine weeks old, according to Battersea.
A 2026 Battersea appeal, published 16 February 2026, restates the same criteria. It describes a foster home as a calmer place where animals can grow, relax, and gain confidence, and it refers to hundreds of animals arriving in Battersea’s care that year. That figure covers all animals and is not broken down by species, so it should not be read as a cat-only statistic.
What the role involves day to day
Battersea describes fostering as feeding, general care, and taking the cat to veterinary appointments when needed. Carers also keep the cat settling in and provide the day-to-day observations Battersea’s team uses to plan the next stage. Moore’s account emphasises the gradual change she sees in each animal, which is the part Battersea highlights most.
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Carers do not choose a cat from the public listings. Battersea’s staff select a cat and match it to a carer’s circumstances and experience, and the charity says it will not ask a carer to take a cat they are uncomfortable fostering.
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Battersea’s cat-fostering guidance sets out baseline requirements. Applicants should have:
- A pet-free home. Applicants who already have a pet are not eligible under the current guidance.
- A home within an hour’s drive of a Battersea site: London, Brands Hatch, or Old Windsor.
- Completed online training.
Some conditions depend on the type of cat. Battersea’s stated rules are:
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| Condition | Adult cats | Kittens |
|---|---|---|
| Spare room needed | Yes | Not stated |
| Children in the home | No children under 13 | No children under 8 |
| Time a cat can be left alone | Can be left for a working day | Not left alone for more than four hours a day |
| Supervision of foster cat | Foster cats must not be left unsupervised with anyone under 18 | |
Battersea’s cat page answers the common worries directly. Prospective carers with little experience can still apply, and the online training and induction are part of that preparation. Anyone who works long hours should check the kitten row before applying, because the time limit is much stricter for kittens.
How placements last
Most cat placements last from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, according to Battersea. The actual length depends on the individual cat: how quickly it settles, whether it needs treatment, and when a permanent home becomes available. Kittens remain in foster care until nine weeks old.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteFostering is not a route to adoption. Battersea’s guidance asks people who want to rehome a cat permanently to speak to its Fostering Officer rather than treating a foster placement as the first step.
Costs, equipment, and support
Battersea says it covers the costs of fostering and provides food, equipment, veterinary treatment, training, and guidance. Carers therefore do not need to buy the basics, and the charity does not ask them to pay for the cat’s care. Because the charity supplies these items, a foster carer does not need to source them separately.
Transport
Battersea says a car is helpful but not essential in some areas, and it can arrange a taxi for an initial collection in some circumstances. Its rural Brands Hatch and Old Windsor sites require the carer’s own transport. Confirm the position for your location before applying, because arrangements vary by site and by case.
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Battersea’s guidance describes the following process:
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- Submit an application through Battersea’s fostering pages.
- Record a home-check video showing the space where the cat would live.
- Talk with Battersea’s team about your circumstances and availability.
- Complete the online induction.
Once these steps are complete, Battersea matches a cat to your household. You can ask questions at any stage before a match is made.
Battersea’s requirements can change, so confirm the current cat-fostering page before you apply.
Next steps for readers
If you already meet the baseline conditions, start with Battersea’s cat-fostering page to confirm the current rules, then complete the application and online training. If you have a pet, a long working day, or children below the age limits, the table above shows which conditions apply before you begin.
Moore’s record is an example of what a single carer can achieve over time. Battersea’s own figures show the scale of its work across many more animals, and its 2026 appeal suggests the need for carers remains high.
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