fourpaws.org

4Paws Rescue Team publishes cat care and adoption preparation resources directly on fourpaws.org, covering pet wellbeing, spaying and neutering, FIV and FeLV, preparing for adoption, and general cat resources. These pages are aimed at adopters and foster volunteers who want practical guidance before or after bringing a cat home. The rescue is foster-based and volunteer-run, serving Northern Virginia and the wider DMV area, so its resources reflect a foster-home model rather than a shelter facility.

Pet Wellbeing Resources

The site's Pet Wellbeing section is the umbrella for day-to-day cat care content. It sits in the main navigation alongside adoption and volunteer pages, which means it is intended as a reference for people already interacting with the rescue's cats — adopters, fosters, and volunteers.

Use this section when you need general guidance on keeping a cat healthy in a home environment. It is a starting point for common questions, not a substitute for veterinary advice; for anything medical, the rescue's own contact channels ([email protected] or 703-715-6369) are the way to reach the team.

Spaying and Neutering Guidance

The site maintains a dedicated Spaying and Neutering page under its cat resources. This matters for adopters because sterilization status and timing are routine questions when taking home a rescue cat.

Before adopting, check this page to understand:

• Why the rescue treats spay/neuter as part of responsible cat ownership
• What to expect around the procedure for a newly adopted cat
• How to plan the first veterinary visit after adoption

If your specific cat's status is unclear, ask the rescue directly rather than assuming — individual cats may differ in what has already been completed.

FIV and FeLV Information for Adopters

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) both appear as a dedicated resource page. These are the two diagnoses adopters most often hesitate over, so the page exists to answer the question "should I adopt a cat that tests positive?"

Read it before ruling out a cat based on a test result. The page gives you the background to have an informed conversation with the rescue team about a specific cat's health, household setup, and whether other cats live with you. Combine it with direct questions to the rescue about the individual cat — general information plus case-specific details is what makes the decision workable.

Preparing for Adoption

The Prepare for Adoption page is the practical checklist resource. It is the page to open once you have decided to adopt and want to know what to do before the cat arrives.

A sensible sequence using the site's resources:

1. Browse available cats on the All Available Cats page, and check Adoption Fairs and Adoption Locations for in-person meetups. The site lists events such as adoption fairs at Petco Sterling (22000 Dulles Retail Plz, Sterling, VA 20166), 1:00 PM–4:00 PM.
2. Read Prepare for Adoption to set up your home and expectations.
3. Review the FIV/FeLV and spay/neuter pages so you can ask informed questions.
4. Contact the rescue at [email protected] or 703-715-6369 with questions about a specific cat.

Expected result: you arrive at the adoption conversation with your home ready and your questions specific, which shortens the back-and-forth with a volunteer-run team.

General Cat Resources

Beyond the topic pages, the site keeps a Cat Resources hub and a Blog with sections including Pet Wellbeing, Urgent Requests, and Volunteer News. The blog is where time-sensitive needs and updates appear, so it is worth checking if you want to know what the rescue currently needs help with.

Two other pages are useful context for adopters: FAQs for common process questions, and Financials, which supports the rescue's stated claim that 96¢ of every donated dollar goes directly to the cats. The organization describes itself as a 501(c)(3) public charity (CFC #34517) with 30+ years of operation, 13,500 total cats adopted, and 500+ adoptions in 2025.

What These Resources Do Not Replace

The site's pages are general guidance. They do not diagnose your cat, and they do not tell you whether a particular cat fits your household. For decisions about a specific animal — health status, compatibility with existing pets, timing — contact the rescue directly. For medical concerns about a cat already in your home, your veterinarian is the right resource.

If you are deciding between adopting and fostering, note that the rescue runs both pathways and the Foster page explains the foster route; the care resources above apply to either arrangement.

4Paws Rescue Team is a volunteer-run, foster-based cat rescue serving Northern Virginia and the wider DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) area. To adopt through them, start by browsing the available cats on fourpaws.org, then meet cats in person at an adoption fair or partner location, and complete the adoption process from there. The rescue also offers a separate "Barn Cats" placement option for cats that aren't suited to indoor pet homes.

Where to Browse Adoptable Cats

The site's Adopt a Cat section is the main entry point. It includes:

• All Available Cats — the full listing of cats currently in foster care.
• Singles Ads — individual profiles for cats looking for a home.
• Adoption Fairs — a schedule of in-person meet-and-greet events.
• Barn Cats — a distinct track for working/barn placements rather than indoor pets.
• Adoption Locations — where cats can be visited outside of fairs.

If you already know what you're looking for, the "All Available Cats" list is the fastest way to see who is currently adoptable.

Meet Cats in Person: Adoption Fairs and Locations

Adoption fairs are the most direct way to meet cats and talk with volunteers. The site's Upcoming Events section lists these, for example:

Check the Adoption Fairs page for the current schedule before you go, since events change. The Adoption Locations page lists other places where cats can be seen.

Standard Adoption vs. Barn Cats

These are two different paths, and choosing the right one matters:

• Standard adoption is for cats and kittens intended as indoor companion animals. You browse available cats, meet them at a fair or location, and proceed through the rescue's adoption process.
• Barn Cats is a placement option for cats that are not suited to living as indoor pets. If you have a barn, stable, or similar property and want a working cat, this is the route to explore instead of the standard adoption listings.

If your goal is a lap cat or family pet, use the standard listings. If you're looking for a working cat for a rural property, start with the Barn Cats page.

Prepare Before You Apply

The site's Prepare for Adoption resource is worth reading before you commit. It covers what to expect and how to get ready for a new cat. Related resources that may matter depending on the cat you choose include:

• Spaying and Neutering — background on the rescue's approach to sterilization.
• FIV and FeLV — information on feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus, relevant if a listed cat has tested positive.
• Pet Wellbeing and Cat Resources — general care guidance.

Next Steps and Ways to Get Involved

If you're ready to move forward:

1. Browse All Available Cats and note any you'd like to meet.
2. Check Adoption Fairs and Adoption Locations for a chance to meet them in person.
3. Review Prepare for Adoption so you know what the process involves.
4. Contact the rescue with questions at [email protected] or 703-715-6369.

If adoption isn't the right fit right now, the rescue also lists Foster and Volunteer opportunities, and accepts Donate contributions. It states that it is a 501(c)(3) public charity (CFC #34517) and that 96¢ of every donated dollar goes directly to the cats and kittens.

4Paws Rescue Team is a volunteer-run, foster-based cat rescue serving Northern Virginia and the wider DMV area, and the site lists two main ways to get involved: volunteer and foster. To start, go to the "Volunteer" section for volunteer opportunities or the "Foster" section to apply to foster, then reach the team at [email protected] or 703-715-6369 with questions. Because the organization is 100% volunteer-run and foster-based, expect the work to happen in volunteers' homes and at events rather than at a shelter building.

Volunteer Opportunities

The site's Volunteer menu lists Volunteer Opportunities and Foster as separate paths, with a "Get Involved" call to action on the homepage. The published evidence does not detail individual volunteer roles, so use the Volunteer Opportunities page as the authoritative list and confirm specifics with the team.

What the site does make clear about the volunteer experience:

• 100% volunteer run — the rescue has no paid staff layer, so volunteers carry the work.
• Adoption fairs are a recurring need. The homepage promotes an upcoming fair at Petco Sterling (22000 Dulles Retail Plz, Sterling, VA 20166, 1:00 PM–4:00 PM) with a "Meet the attendees" link, and points to an Adoption Fairs page for the full schedule. Events like these are a natural entry point for people who want to help without fostering.
• Donations support the work if hands-on time isn't possible; the site states 96¢ of every donated dollar goes directly to the cats and kittens.

How to start volunteering

1. Open the Volunteer → Volunteer Opportunities page on fourpaws.org.
2. Review the listed opportunities and pick one that fits your location and schedule.
3. Contact the team at [email protected] or 703-715-6369 to confirm availability and next steps.
4. Check the Adoption Fairs page for upcoming events where you can meet the team in person.

Expected result: you'll know which roles are open and have a direct contact for scheduling. Common snag: the site doesn't publish role descriptions in the material available here, so don't assume a specific task exists — ask first.

Fostering a Cat

Fostering is the core of the model: the homepage describes 4Paws as "a volunteer-run, foster-based rescue saving cats and kittens in need," and the Foster section is framed as "Give a cat a safe home." In practice, that means the cat lives with you while the rescue covers the adoption process and placement.

How to start fostering

1. Go to the Foster page (linked from the main menu and the homepage "Foster" button).
2. Read the fostering information and submit the foster interest form or inquiry described there.
3. Contact [email protected] or 703-715-6369 if you have questions about space, other pets, or timing.
4. Once approved, you'll receive a cat or kitten to care for until adoption.

Expected result: an approved foster placement with the rescue handling adoption promotion. Common snag: the site doesn't publish foster terms (duration, supplies, medical coverage) in the available material — confirm these directly with the team before committing.

Volunteer vs. Foster: Which Fits You

Choose volunteering if you want to support the rescue without a cat in your home, starting with events like the Petco Sterling adoption fair. Choose fostering if you can house a cat and want the most direct role in saving one. Either way, contact the team first — the site's published detail on both paths is thin, and a quick email resolves most questions.

Contact and Context

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 703-715-6369
• Service area: Northern Virginia and the DMV
• Track record: 30+ years, 13,500 total cats adopted, 500+ adopted in 2025
• Status: 501(c)(3) public charity; CFC #34517

The 30+ year history and adoption numbers are the best signal of what you're joining: a long-running, entirely volunteer operation where foster homes and event help are the engine.

4Paws Rescue Team is a volunteer-run, foster-based cat rescue serving Northern Virginia and the wider DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) area. It places cats and kittens in foster homes rather than a shelter building, and the public can engage through adoption, fostering, volunteering, or donating. It operates as a qualified 501(c)(3) public charity, so contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law.

What the Organization Does

The rescue's stated mission is "Saving Lives, Four Paws at a Time" — saving cats and kittens in need through a foster network staffed by volunteers. The site lists four main ways to get involved:

• Adopt — browse available cats and meet them at adoption fairs or listed locations
• Foster — provide a safe home for a cat until it is adopted
• Volunteer — support the rescue and the community through volunteer opportunities
• Donate — fund lifesaving care

The site states that 96¢ of every donated dollar goes directly to the cats and kittens.

Track Record and Credentials

These figures come from the organization's own site and are worth treating as self-reported.

Adoption Fairs and Locations

The rescue holds adoption fairs where you can meet cats in person. One listed recurring event is at Petco Sterling, 22000 Dulles Retail Plz, Sterling, VA 20166, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The site directs visitors to its Adoption Fairs page for the full schedule and to Adoption Locations for other places to meet cats.

If you are interested in a specific cat, the site also lists "Singles Ads" — individual profiles for available cats — alongside the full list of available cats.

Barn Cats and Other Programs

Beyond standard adoptions, the rescue lists a Barn Cats program, aimed at cats suited to outdoor working homes rather than indoor pets. The site also publishes resource pages on spaying and neutering, preparing for adoption, and FIV/FeLV, which are useful if you are evaluating whether a particular cat fits your household.

Contact and Service Area

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 703-715-6369
• Service area: Northern Virginia and the DMV
• Online: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube

The site also publishes its financials, FAQs, and news, which are reasonable places to check before donating or applying to adopt.

Who This Is For

This rescue is relevant if you live in or near Northern Virginia or the DMV and want to adopt a cat, foster one, volunteer, or donate to a cat-focused charity. Because it is foster-based, expect to arrange meetings through adoption fairs or listed locations rather than visiting a single shelter address. If you are outside the service area, the site's general cat-care resources may still be useful, but adoption and fostering are geared to the local region.

4Paws Rescue Team states that 96¢ of every donated dollar goes directly to the cats and kittens it rescues, and it operates as a qualified public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, so contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law. Those two facts are the core of its donor case: a high stated program-spend share plus a recognized charitable status. If you want to verify further before giving, the organization points to its Financials page and lists CFC #34517 as an additional transparency signal.

What the donation claim actually says

The site's About section describes 4Paws as a foster-based, volunteer-run rescue serving the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) and states that 96¢ of every donated dollar goes directly to the cats and kittens who need it most. The organization also reports being 100% volunteer run.

That combination matters for interpreting the 96¢ figure. A rescue with no paid staff has low overhead by design, so a high share going to animals is consistent with its operating model rather than an unusual exception. The claim is the organization's own stated figure; the site does not publish a line-item budget breakdown in the page content available, so treat 96¢ as the charity's characterization and use the Financials page if you need audited or detailed numbers.

Legitimacy signals you can check

A 501(c)(3) designation and a CFC number are meaningful but not self-verifying. The practical test is whether the IRS listing matches the organization's name and whether the Financials page answers where money goes. If those line up, the legitimacy question is largely settled for ordinary donor purposes.

Where the money goes, based on the mission

The site frames donations around "lifesaving care" and the rescue's foster-based model. In practice, a foster-based cat rescue's costs concentrate in veterinary care (spay/neuter, treatment, FeLV/FIV-related care), supplies for foster homes, and adoption-event logistics. The site's resource pages on spaying and neutering and on FIV/FeLV indicate these are active parts of its work.

The site also lists adoption fairs, such as one at Petco Sterling, 22000 Dulles Retail Plz, Sterling, VA 20166, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Event costs and medical care are the kinds of expenses a 96¢ program-spend figure would cover.

Ways to support beyond a cash gift

• Donate through the site's Donate button or Donate Now link.
• Adopt — browse available cats, including barn cat placements and adoption locations.
• Foster — the organization recruits foster volunteers, which is how it avoids shelter overhead.
• Volunteer — volunteer opportunities are listed separately from fostering.
• Shop — a Shop page is linked in the navigation.
• Workplace giving — use CFC #34517.
• Tributes and memorials — the site has a section for memorial gifts.

A reasonable decision path

If your goal is a tax-deductible gift to a local cat rescue, 4Paws presents the right markers: 501(c)(3) status, a CFC number, a published Financials page, 30+ years of operation, and a stated 96¢ program-spend share. Before a large gift, open the Financials page and cross-check the IRS listing; for a small or one-time gift, the stated track record and reachable contact information are usually enough. If detailed expense breakdowns are essential to you, request them at [email protected] rather than assuming the 96¢ figure is independently audited.