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Fostering 103
This is the follow-up to: Fostering 102 and Fostering 101!
So have you been doing your homework? Following up on some of the local rescues either on their web site or Facebook?
Think you’re ready?
Now that you have found a match its time to either down load their application form, visit a clinic or make a phone call. Please respect what ever they ask. Don’t call if they say not to. It doesn’t mean they are rude, it means they are busy.
One of my special fosters, Daisy May
Be prepared to answer some of the following…
Why do you want to become a foster home?
Do you have any experience?
Do you have pets? Are they spayed/neutered?
Who is your vet? May we call for a reference?
Will the other pet accept this dog/pup/cat/kitten?
Where would the foster spend their nights? What are your plans regarding exercising the dog and toilet training? Do you have a fenced in backyard? You don’t want to walk a puppy at 2 am.
How many hours daily would the animal be left alone? Where would the dog be when you’re not home?
Allow them to socialize with your pets
Do you have small children?
Do you own a car?
Are you willing to take the animal to vet appointments ?
Are you willing to allow people to come to your home as potential adopters?
It may sound like a lot but don’t get upset. You are representing them for the time you have one of their animals. They need to know you
Questions you need to ask:
How often do you have clinics and am I expected to go?
Clinics are a great method to showcase the animals and socialize with other volunteers. They are typically held in public places like pet food stores, training centers, etc. and are normally planned well in advance. If they do not normally do clinics, you may be asked if potential adopters can come to your home escorted by a supervisor to see the pet.
They should learn early the important sites on the internet
What is the average stay in a foster home? This is hard to really pin down but they should be able to give you some guidelines. What if it doesn’t work out, do they have a back up for you? Make sure you are upfront about how long you are confortable committing to.
What vet do they use? Is it close to where you live ? When the animal needs vaccines, check ups or feels ill, you need to know where to go, once you have permission of course. You will not be allowed to go to your own vet. Each rescue uses their own team.
Supplies
In most cases, when you foster an animal the shelter will give you supplies that are needed. If they don’t ask why.
This list should include the appropriate type of food, crate, leash, litter and litter box, water bowls. These basics will typically be enough to get you through the length of time you are fostering. The shelter will make you aware of any unique supplies required for a special needs animal. Of course it is always nice when the foster supplies some of their own toys, perhaps a bed, etc.
Playing Fish Pond on the Ipad, good motor skills
The experience itself should prove extremely rewarding. The hardest part is always saying goodbye, especially to the first one. Trust the people who manage the rescue to choose the right home. When it comes along, you will be happy to see them go on to their new life
…or like me you will become a foster failure numerous times over …..
Ready to take the first step?
Please let us know your story !
terry@montrealdogblog.com
TPK “In rescuing animals, I lost my mind, but found my soul.” ~anonymous
Two of my fosters who ended up in the country in N.Y.
