It's a tremendously fulfilling position to be in, knowing that you've helped an animal through a difficult period in their lives into the adoptable category. Many volunteers are so excited when they find out that an animal they fostered has found a really good home, to receive updates and pictures of the dog or cat they once fostered. The fosters can also be involved in home visits and the selection of their foster pets' new family.
The organization we are affiliated with provides a foster care program, distributes pertinent materials and answers questions. The are strictly a volunteer run organization and have no paid staff or physical shelter. They perform home visits to address concerns and questions of fosters and ensure animals are being cared for properly. There is even an online group to ask questions to agency staff or to other fosters, share stories and pictures, news headlines, notify homes of immediate needs for emergency pets, and so on.
Unsure if you're the fostering kind? There is no perfect profile of a foster family, but there are some things you should know before volunteering or contacting a rescue group. or your local shelter.
There's a time commitment. You may be asked to foster a dog or cat from two weeks to two months or longer, depending on the circumstances. Foster parents don't need to be home 24 hours a day, but you might have to postpone a vacation if you agree to take care of an animal for awhile. Some organizations have subfosters or petsitting services who provide overnight stays like ours, to care for the animal if the primary foster is away.
There are different types of fostering. Shelters/rescues need foster parents for puppies, adult dogs, seniors, kittens, cats, or for animals needing health care, rest after a medical procedure or for dogs with behavioral issues. It doesn't mean you have to be able to foster all of those types; you might just want to foster kittens or pups. You choose the right fit for your lifestyle. But foster parents are needed in all of those categories, and shelters/rescues typically offer orientation and education to help you deal with each type. The organization we are involved with provided very informative and helpful information along with a list of contacts in case a specific question or situation arises.
You may be asked to work with a dog on some basic training and temperament issues. There's more than just feeding, excercise and grooming involved with a foster pet. Some might need to be house trained, while others may have problems with chewing or jumping on strangers, while others may have no issues at all. Foster parents may need to devote time to breaking bad habits so a dog can be socialized. If a dog has a chewing problem, make preparations in advance--don't leave shoes, clothes, or other important items around.
You might be asked to nurse a dog or cat back to health. It could require giving them medication or changing dressings after a medical procedure. If you have pets at home, you may have to keep them separated depending upon their health. Before taking in an animal that's recovering from an illness or disease, check with your vet if you have concerns about your own pets. Of course, this may not be for you and that's your option!
For many foster parents, the single biggest concern is falling in love, especially if you already have pets at home. After all, what's another dog or cat in the household?
It's admirable, but as experts point out, it's not always the best thing. If you adopt a pet that you're fostering, you might have reached your limit of household pets and not be able to accept any others. That's one less foster home for the shelter or rescue to rely on.
You have to keep in mind how many dogs you can provide for on a daily basis, more than one dog is too many for some people. You have to keep in mind, if I adopt this dog, can I keep on fostering? Mossy, our current foster dog, is an amazing girl that we would love to adopt. Sadly, we have decided not to because we would not have room to foster others in need in the future.
There's no question that foster programs are important to the success of shelters and rescue groups. Because of overcrowding, many shelters are continually in need of room for incoming animals. Without foster programs, some dogs and cats might have to be euthanized. If they're run correctly, they can be incredibly important and useful to the work the animal shelter/rescue does. Foster programs are there to help animals who are probably at risk at the shelter/rescue because they're sick, old, or have other issues that make them difficult both difficult to adopt or for the staff to care for. At foster homes, they get out of the shelter environment and have a chance to be loved, treated, rehabbed, and later adopted.
Even a little time with a family, away from the confined space of a kennel and the continual barking can improve an animal's disposition. A shelter environment is stressful, these animals are at their most fragile state. Cats and dogs need a break from the shelter environment and thrive in a secure, loving, and stable home environment – even if only temporary. Just for their health, it's better for them to be given one on one attention from their foster homes and prepare them for placement to their new forever home. Chaos breeds chaotic animals and scares the passive pets to exhibit behaviors they might not otherwise exhibit in a home setting. Sometimes, it is the difference between pets getting adopted or not.
What's the financial commitment for a family?
In most cases, shelters/rescues will pay for vet visits and medications and can provide for other necessities if requested - dog dishes, bedding, collars and crates. Before becoming a foster parent, ask what your financial responsibilities will be. The group we are affiliated with provides vet care and medication. We have chosen to make trips to the pet store for other items to make Mossy's stay more comfortable, including a recent visit to the groomer and a few other expenses. But again, this was our choice.
Fostering also provides an opportunity for people to experience various animal breeds, traits and characteristics to help educate prospective forever homes.
