Research overview: fostering, socialisation and the kitten sensitive period

Early socialisation has lifelong effects on feline temperament, making the handling of shelter kittens during their sensitive period a high-stakes welfare and adoptability issue. This overview surveys research on the kitten socialisation window, the influence of early gentle handling and exposure on later friendliness and stress resilience, and how fostering in home environments improves outcomes compared with shelter housing for young and vulnerable cats. It draws on classic work showing both paternity and early handling shape adult behaviour, and discusses programs to socialise undersocialised or feral kittens, the limits of socialisation with age, and welfare benefits of foster care for queens and litters. The synthesis frames early socialisation and fostering as powerful, evidence-based levers for lifelong feline welfare.