If you’re interested in becoming a foster parent for cats and kittens from the Seattle Animal Shelter, plan to attend a free orientation session, offered the first Sunday of each month – next month on Aug. 3 – from 1-2:30 p.m. The session will be held in the upper level conference room of the shelter, located at 2061 15th Ave. W.

Please sign up for the orientation by emailing sasfostercatsorientation@gmail.com no later than 5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 2. Once you have signed up, you will receive an orientation packet to bring with you. Orientation will be cancelled if there are no sign-ups.

The Seattle Animal Shelter relies on volunteers to provide temporary foster care in their homes to rehabilitate and nurture sick, injured and immature cats and kittens or to just give adoptable cats a break from the shelter environment.

“Volunteers have told us this is a perfect project for the whole family and provides an opportunity for children to learn about the joys and responsibilities of having an animal without making a long-term commitment,” said Shelter Director Don Jordan. “The ultimate beneficiaries are the pets who are nurtured by their foster families, and the families who adopt them.”

Jordan said the foster care program is quite simple. You provide food and a temporary home; the Seattle Animal Shelter will provide any necessary veterinary care. The shelter’s “Help the Animals Fund” subsidizes the costs associated with the foster care program including all pre-approved vet care.

If you attend an orientation session you are under no obligation to foster an animal. The orientations are just the first step in the process. Each prospective foster parent is provided with a foster-care manual and a “case manager” who provides advice and answers questions.

For more information or additional directions call (206) 386-7387 (PETS) or go to www.seattleanimalshelter.org.