rescue refused my foster application for a sick senior

I just got off the phone with my local rescue and they said I can't foster a senior cat with a chronic kidney issue because of their current policy. Is this normal?

I have a dedicated spare room set up with a litter box, heating pad, and separate food station. I handle four cats right now (Pepper, Nugget, Bean, and Ollie) and I am fully vetted. The cat in question is 14 years old and needs twice-daily subcutaneous fluids and a renal diet. I am prepared for the care, but they are citing a blanket ban on high-maintenance medical cases for new fosters. I feel like I am being dismissed without a real assessment of my capability.

Oh honey, I am so sorry to hear that! It is really frustrating when they just say no without looking at your situation. I know how it feels because Cleo has had so many dental issues over the years. I had to explain to my rescue why I was the best fit for her because of her specific needs.

Have you seen this thread about liability? medical foster liability It explains why some rescues are so scared of taking on sick cats. They are worried about what happens if something goes wrong and they don't have the insurance to cover it. It is not personal, I promise!

yeah my rescue does similar stuff. they basically only take kittens or healthy adults now. i think its because the vet bills add up fast. look at this post why we can't afford to foster CKD cats anymore it breaks down the costs and its actually pretty eye opening. renal diets are expensive and the meds are not cheap. i get it if they are scared of the financial hit, but i still think they should ask first.

The policy likely stems from a shift in their operational capacity. When I was fostering Skye, who is a ten-year-old Maine Coon, the rescue provided all medications and food. However, Skye is deaf in one ear and requires minimal medical intervention. A senior with CKD requires a strict schedule for fluids, which conflicts with the variable schedules of many foster homes. They are trying to standardize the care to prevent errors.

You might want to read the pinned guidelines to see if there is a specific clause about pre-approval. pinned: foster policy guidelines It usually lists the exact conditions under which exceptions are made.

Thanks for the links, everyone. I read the pinned thread and it does say that medical fosters are handled case-by-case, but the phone rep was very rigid. I am going to try the approach suggested in talking to rescue board about policy exceptions and email the director directly with a written proposal. I will outline my current setup, my experience with the four cats I have now, and a plan for the subcutaneous fluids. I will also reference the liability points from medical foster liability to show I understand the risk side. I will keep you updated if they bite.

From a logistical standpoint, your refusal is consistent with risk management. The probability of a foster error leading to a liability claim increases with the complexity of the medical regimen. CKD requires precise dosing of fluids and monitoring of weight and urine output. If you have not done this before, the learning curve is steep. I recommend you review the care protocols in caring for senior cats in foster: what to expect to see if your current routine can accommodate the additional time commitment without disrupting your day job as an accountant.