Hi becky
Do you know where your nearest CP is? You can find out here if you dont
www.catchat.orgFor obvious reasons new volunteers arent immediately given a pen, you need to be around a good 6 months and show commitment for having one and the branch needs the funding
You need a base to set it on eg slabs or concrete and power would come from your own supply.
When we rewired our house our 2 existing sheds had a cable laid out to them, so when i added my pen a connected it to one of them so it was easy for me.
I think most fosterers keep the foster cat in their own home, either as part of the family or in a spare room if the cat doesn't get on with any other cats or dogs in the house or if there are any health concerns. I wouldn't imagine a cat would want to be outdoors in the winter without heating and shelter. Were you thinking more of taking in feral cats, which might not want to be fully integrated with your family?
Lots of people have pens, they are quite comfy as theres a covered area plus run
Most rescues CP incl from what iv read dont want foster cats mixing with the fosterers cats so if space in the house is limited a pen is a good alternative.
Also like me you can fill the pen and then sneak in indoor ones too