Animal Foster Care

Every year, there are several thousand homeless animals in need of foster care before they are ready to find new homes through adoption. As a foster parent, you provide a temporary home and care for animals anywhere from a few days up to several months. Some of the many reasons animals may need foster care, include:

1. The animals are too young for adoption
2. You are caring for pregnant animals and/or nursing moms with a litter
3. The animal requires special health care needs or are in post-surgery recovery
5. The animal needs a temporary home due to their owners fleeing domestic violence
6. The animal is a large adult or a senior
7. The animal comes from abuse or neglect

Fostering allows the animal to be prepared for adoption into a permanent home and helps prevent overcrowding within animal shelters. Most veterinary care and medicines are supplied for foster animals, with lots of support for the foster parents. A loving home with plenty of pet supplies, care and time are all that is needed to make your home a supporting and healing home for animals in need.

Depending on the organization or shelter you work with, the process in becoming an animal foster volunteer may require anything from basic inspections, training and/or registration to something similar to the process of adoption. Most organizations require that the primary care giver be at least 18 years or older, be within a reasonable distance of the shelter and be able to commute to and from when needed, and attend orientation and/or foster training. Basic personal information will also be asked of you, to include any health and physical limitations, information on the animal care environment, if any animal diseases exist within your home, anyone and everyone that will be involved with the care of the animals, your mental state (stress levels, comprehension of care and protocols etc.) and for two or more non-familial references.

If you are interested in becoming an animal foster volunteer, contact your Local Animal Shelter or Humane Society at www.petfinder.com/animal-shelters-and-rescues/search.