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Why do we
need foster homes?
Your
interest in fostering a family of cats or dogs is greatly appreciated! As you
know, the shelter is just not big enough to keep these animals for weeks at a
time. There is a constant risk of spreading disease due to our over-crowded
conditions. Getting the animals into a foster situation is the best way to
insure they get individual care and socialization in a stress-free environment.
What
kinds of animals need fostering?
Many times,
pregnant cats and dogs arrive at the shelter. If mom appears healthy and
friendly, we look for a foster situation for her. In most cases, we like
to have the babies born at the shelter so we can evaluate their overall health
at the time of birth; however, we sometimes send mom to a home before giving
birth so she can become accustomed to her new environment.
We often see
litters come in without a mom. If we feel they need more time to grow and
develop, and are healthy and friendly, we try to find a foster home.
Sometimes we
will have an injured adult dog or cat that will need a couple of weeks to
recuperate. We might choose to place the animal in a foster home to give
it a healthier and less stressful environment in which to heal.
It’s
important to understand that each situation is treated individually.
What type
of commitment do you need from me?
Fostering can
last from as little as 1 week to as many as 10 weeks. We urge you to
consider the amount of time you are realistically prepared to devote to these
animals.
If the babies
are very young and have a mom, you need only make sure mom has plenty of fresh
water and food and that the litter box or kennel is clean. Mom will not
tolerate a lot of handling of her babies--it will distress her.
More time will
be required of you when they are older and moving around. You need to provide
extra food and water and clean the box or kennel more frequently (several times
a day). Once they are 2 weeks old, you need to start handling them so they
become “socialized”--comfortable around people and other distractions.
Kittens
and puppies without a mother require a lot of time and attention. Litters under
4 weeks need specialized care from an experienced person, and wouldn’t be given
to foster homes without the necessary experience. Those over 4 weeks may need
milk supplements and special diets. They can be very messy and will need to be
cleaned frequently.
Fostering
can be highly rewarding…
…and a
lot of fun. There are times however, that it can be heartbreaking. No matter
how hard we try, the entire litter may come down with an illness. Sadly, we
often aren’t able to pull them through and they may need to be euthanized.
Sometimes the mommas are not adoptable and may have to be euthanized. It is
never easy to prepare yourself for these situations; however, you need to be
aware and be able to concede to the decisions of shelter staff.
How much
will it cost to foster?
The
shelter will provide bedding, crate, litter pan, food dishes, or medication (if
necessary) for the animals for the duration of their stay. An initial supply of
donated food or litter may be made available, if needed. The shelter may be
able to continue to supply food and litter if the resources are available. You
cover incidental expenses while the animals are your care (food, toys, litter,
etc.). The amount will depend on the types of animals you foster and the amount
of time they spend in your care.
What if
the animals I foster get sick?
We ask our
foster home to bring the fostered animals to the shelter for periodic health
checks to arrange for to ensure proper weight gain and overall health.
Should one of your fostered animals get injured or become sick while in your
care, please notify the shelter immediately. All veterinary treatment must
be arranged through the shelter.
Can my
pets get sick from an animal I foster?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is yes. The animals we send out for
fostering are almost all strays with unknown health histories. Momma dogs and
cats are often not given a lot of vaccinations before being fostered since the
vaccines can have deadly effects on their babies. The kittens and puppies we
place in foster homes are often too young to receive vaccinations. To lower the
risk to your own pets, it is advisable to keep your fostered animals separated
from your personal pets. If you have concerns about passing a disease from a
foster animal to your own animals, please talk to your vet to make sure your
pets are up to date on any vaccines recommended.
What are
the terms of fostering?
All foster
homes sign an agreement listing the following conditions:
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That shelter staff will physically
inspect the home where the animals are to be fostered.
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That these animals are the property of
Animal Services, and I agree to surrender them to shelter staff at any time when
asked to do so.
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To provide a separate room away from
all other animals. I understand that mother animals are very protective of
their young and will strike out at other animals. I understand they need a
stress-free environment, free from extreme heat or cold.
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That the shelter will provide bedding,
crate, litter pan, food dishes, or medication (if necessary) for the animals for
the duration of their stay. An initial supply of donated food or litter may be
made available, if needed. The shelter may be able to continue to supply food
and litter if the resources are available.
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I may incur incidental expenses while
the animals are in my care (food, toys, litter, etc.). I agree to cover these
needs/costs for the animals I am fostering.
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To bring the animals to the shelter
for periodic health checks, or to arrange for shelter staff to visit the animals
in my home, to ensure proper weight gain and overall health. I agree to
maintain close contact with shelter staff while the animals are under my care.
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That liability for damage, illness or
injury that may occur to my home, occupants or premises because of the fostered
animals, is my responsibility. I understand that I am not liable for illness or
injury to the foster animals, unless caused by my neglect.
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To notify shelter staff immediately if
the foster animals are injured or become ill while in my care. All veterinary
treatment must be arranged through the shelter. I agree to accept the shelter
staff decision regarding treatment or further care of the animals.
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To return the animals to the shelter
at a predetermined time so they may be placed for adoption.
What are the steps to becoming a foster home?
·
Attend a
volunteer orientation. You can either attend a general volunteer orientation
or an orientation specific to fostering. General volunteer orientations last
about 11/2 hours and cover basic information about Animal Services,
volunteering and a tour of the building. Fostering orientations last around 30
minutes and cover information about Animal Services and fostering only. Dates
and times of upcoming orientations can be found on our webpage or by calling the
shelter.
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If after the
orientation you feel that fostering would be a good fit for you, you may submit
a volunteer application. (Applications are handed out at the volunteer
orientations.)
·
It takes a
couple weeks to process your application and background check. After that, we
will call you to schedule a home check to see where the foster animals will be
staying while at your home.
How do I
find out more about the program?
If you
have questions about any part of the foster program, please contact the
Volunteer Coordinator at 360-352-2510, ext. 1009 or
email her. You can
download the Foster Care Manual and Cat/Kitten or Dog/Puppy Supplements
here. |
Kitten season is
here…and we need your help!