What’s a pet foster parent?
By being a pet foster parent, you provide a temporary home for an animal prior to adoption. You become a bridge to a better life for an animal that has been abandoned or surrendered. Fostering animals is a wonderful and personal way to contribute to saving homeless pets.
Why do animals need foster care?
There are several possible reasons:
- Foster care can help save an animal’s life when a shelter is full.
- Some animals don’t do well in a shelter environment because they are frightened or need a little extra care.
- Newborn animals that need to be nursed or bottle-fed usually need foster care.
- Some animals need time to recover from an illness or injury before adoption.
Would I be a good pet foster parent?
If you want to do something to help the animals, fostering can be a flexible, fun and rewarding volunteer job. Here’s why:
- It’s more flexible than volunteer jobs that require you to show up at a specific time for a certain number of hours.
- It’s a great way to enjoy a pet if you are not in a position to make that lifetime commitment right now. Fostering can be an excellent option for college students or military families.
- Would you like to add a dog or cat to your household, but you’re not sure? Fostering can be a great way to find out.
How much time will fostering take?
The specific needs of the animal will determine how much time is involved. Because we are a medical-only rescue, our pets need special care and that means sometimes a longer than average commitment. A dog recovering from minor surgery can take a few days to a few weeks. A dog with heartworm will need several months of recovery. You can always discuss your availability with us to determine what kinds of animals you’ll be best suited to foster.
What skills are needed to be an animal foster parent?
It’s best to have some knowledge about companion animal behavior and health. Although no formal medical knowledge or training are required to foster for us, it's helpful to have at least some basic first aid knowledge and the ability and willingness to administer medications.
After recovery from illness or injury, some of the animals that we intake then require a little extra help with training. Shy cats often need time to learn to trust and the quiet of a home environment. Dogs often benefit from a little obedience training, so if you familiarize yourself with some basic training techniques, you can be a big help in preparing your foster dog for a new home.
We can provide training for you and a mentor to help you learn what is expected of a foster parent. Just by getting to know the animal, you’ll help us to learn more about his or her personality prior to adoption.
What else is required?
Our pets will need to see a partner veterinarian within 7 days of intake. Therefore, transportation to and from vet appointments will be your responsibility as their caregiver. You will be able to set appointments at your convenience. We contract with several veterinarians in the East Valley for your convenience.
Are there any costs involved in becoming a foster parent?
We will provide you with all the necessary food, medication, toys, a crate, bedding, leashes, collars or anything else to make your foster more comfortable. Of course, if you would like to donate any of these items it helps the rescue tremendously and helps with the ability to intake more pets.
What about my own pets?
You’ll want to consider how the animals in your household will adjust to having a foster pet. Some animals do very well with a temporary friend and can help socialize the foster animal. Other pets have a harder time with new animals being added to or leaving the family. You’re the best judge of your pet’s personality.
For the safety of your pets and the foster animal, it’s important to keep your pets up to date on vaccinations. In many cases, the foster pet will need to be isolated from your own pets, either temporarily or throughout the foster period. We can help you determine what’s best in each situation.
Will I have to find a home for the foster animal myself?
We will take full responsibility for finding your foster a new home, though you can help by telling friends, family and co-workers about your foster pet. We utilize social media to advertise the animals up for adoption and also use search engines like Adopt-a-Pet and Petfinder. Each potential adopter must fill out an adoption questionnaire. We also utilize volunteers to conduct home visits with potential adopters to make sure your foster goes to a safe and loving home. You will also be able to meet with any potential adopters beforehand and get to interview them yourself so that you can feel 100% comfortable with the adoption.
What about when it’s time to say good-bye to the fostered pet?
Giving up an animal you’ve fostered, even to a wonderful new home, can be difficult emotionally. Some people like to be there when the pet goes home with the new family. Seeing your foster animal ride off into the sunset will help you remember that he has found a lovely new home.
A lot of foster families get photos and updates of their old charges enjoying their new homes. Knowing you were part of saving a life and helping the animal find a loving home is tremendously rewarding.
Sometimes a foster home turns into a permanent home. We call them "foster failures" although we consider them adoption successes! That’s why rescue, shelter, and humane organizations are always on the lookout for new foster homes!
But is it fair to the animals being fostered?
Some people are reluctant to foster animals because they are concerned that it is unfair to take in a dog or cat, establish a bond, and then allow the animal to be adopted out into another home. Isn’t that a second abandonment?
Not at all! Being in a foster home can be a lifesaving bridge for a stray or frightened pet. It gives the animal a chance to get used to life in a house, and an opportunity to learn that people can be kind, food is available, and there is a warm, secure place to sleep.
Foster care can help prepare a dog or cat for a new life in a permanent home. There’s no shortage of animals who need this preparation time before finding their own people.
How do I give pet fostering a try?
When you are ready, fill out a Foster Application on our website.
Foster parents make an enormous difference in the number of animals euthanized each year because shelters don’t have space for them. It is important, valuable work and, best of all, it saves lives.
I can’t provide animal foster care, but are there other ways I can help?
We can always use volunteer help at adoption events, transporting animals to and from the vet, returning phone calls, or doing office work. We also need help to promote adoptable pets online and through the local media. Even if you can't foster right now, you can always support our foster care program by raising funds for medical care, food and supplies. Just fill out a Volunteer Application.