Have you ever
given any thought to fostering a dog or cat?
It is a great way to help relieve the overburdened shelters in your
area. There are some serious
considerations before you jump into a foster situation. If you can answer “yes” to these questions,
then you might have what it takes to open your world to a foster pet.
If you live in
a tiny apartment, you might think about a cat or small dog. However, if you have ample room for a
four-legged guest, then you have a huge selection of pets that would love to be
out of the shelter environment.
2. Do I have the time needed to help a pet
adjust to a new home?
Many pets that
are in the shelter system need extra time to adjust to a new environment. Some are shy and skittish around new people
and places. Before you take on a foster
dog or cat, make sure that you have the time needed to reassure them that their
new home is safe and loving.
3. Will my other pets welcome a new pet?
It is important
to consider the pets that you have. Many
do not share your
feelings of wanting to add to their family unit. I believe most dogs enjoy having a friend of their own species. However, some will take the added pet as an intruder. The last thing that you want to do is bring a foster into a potentially aggressive situation.
feelings of wanting to add to their family unit. I believe most dogs enjoy having a friend of their own species. However, some will take the added pet as an intruder. The last thing that you want to do is bring a foster into a potentially aggressive situation.
4. Will I be able to give the pet up when a
permanent home is available?
This is a tough
question. You are taking the animal on a
temporary basis, so the hope is that it will find a forever home. Saying good-bye to a friend is never easy,
even if you know they are going to a loving home. Don’t set yourself up for a broken heart by
becoming too attached. If you do, you’ll
be adopting instead of fostering.
5. Does the pet have any health issues that
will need to be addressed?
Some shelter
pets have special needs that you will want to be aware of before you agree to
take them home. Be sure you know the
medical history of the pet before you say “yes.” Sadly, one of the reasons some of them end up
in the shelter is because the owners can’t take care of these health issues.
6. Is the animal crate trained and
housebroken?
Many pets are
trained in both. You’ll want to know if
you will be taking on a dog/cat that has been in a home before. House breaking a dog is not that difficult in
most cases, but it does require time and patience. A cat that was taken in after being on the
streets will need to be shown how to use the litter box. Again, time and patience is a requirement.
7. Is the animal an escape artist?
You certainly
don’t want to bring home a pet only to have them run away. If the animal is known to have a history of
bolting, you want to be certain that your living arrangement is so that this
isn’t a constant worry.
If the animal
you are considering has a history of abuse, this is something that you’ll want
to know. It will take a lot of love and
reassurance on your part to earn its trust.
You’ll need to know if it likes men, women, children, or other
animals. Some animals prefer to be
around one gender, but are reactive around the other. Some pets don’t like children. These things are vital to know so your
fostering experience will be positive.
9. Was the animal surrendered or found as a
stray?
If the pet was
surrendered, you’ll want to know why. In
many cases, the owner could no longer take care of their furry friend. Several at our local shelter have owners that
were moved to an elderly care facility that doesn’t allow pets. Some of them have lost their owners to death
and some have been given up because they simply were no longer wanted. You must know what you are dealing with
before you accept the responsibility.
10. What does the shelter require from you when
taking an animal as a foster?
Shelters don’t just
hand over a pet because you ask for it.
You’ll want to know if home visits are expected. Are you expected to screen the potential
owners or bring the pet back to the shelter for introductions? Be certain to know the answer before you
agree.
Fostering is a
wonderful and selfless endeavor, but it is not for everyone. I know several people that open their homes
to fostering. Personally, I am not able
to take a pet on for a temporary arrangement.
I know myself well enough to know that if a pet came home with me, it
would be forever. We currently have our
“granddog” Pierre living with us. I know
that he will be going to live with his mom and dad soon. I will miss him, but I also know how happy he
will be to be reunited with them. The
difference is, he is a family member, and I am merely puppy sitting as
grandparents do at times.
If you can answer
the ten questions and feel that you would be a great foster parent, please
contact your local shelter. They will
help you select a dog or cat that will fit in your life. It can be a rewarding experience for both you
and the pet.
PetSavers in
Shreveport accepts foster homes for their pets.
All you need to do is give them a call and let them know that you would
like to be involved in housing a pet until a new permanent home is found. The dogs featured today are ready for a
loving home. If they are not the one for
you, please share them on social media.
For more information on
fostering, check out these links: http://www.petfinder.com/animal-shelters-and-rescues/fostering-dogs/
* http://www.petfinder.com/animal-shelters-and-rescues/fostering-cats/
* http://www.aspca.org/nyc/fostering-for-the-aspca
*
We are proud to be joining
Dogs ‘N Pawz and Talking Dogs for Tuesday’s Tails. This blog hop focuses on adoptable shelter
pets in the hope of finding a home for them.
I think #4 would be impossible for me. I think it would break my heart :o) Thanks for a great post about such an important topic.
ReplyDeleteWe agree with Easy. We'd find it too heart breaking as well. Have a terrific Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
We tried it = but failed at #4 - it i just to hard to give them up - you just can't help but fall in love with them :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post about fostering! I'll be sharing those two sweet dogs, too.
ReplyDeleteWe have fostered in the past but cannot right now due to #1 but #4 is a hard one too. You really have to get the right mind set and want to help the dog but maintain enough emotional distance so your heart doesn't get broken when they do find a home. Buddy and Jill look like wonderful pups and I hope they find great furever homes very soon!
ReplyDeleteGreat questions to answer. Fostering is great and need more people doing it. I am a foster volunteer for the American Chesapeake Club and have fostered before.
ReplyDeleteI have thought about fostering but have too many dogs at my house already:( Maybe one day. Bugs and Jill are such cuties! Sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips and questions about fostering. I don't think people realize just how much fosters help pets! And really, providing those questions can be answered to a good degree, it is very doable!
ReplyDeletebeautiful pups, and I am sharing your post!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Hi Y'all!
ReplyDeleteFoster folks are wonderful people...I'd be a great foster paw-papa but my Human's would never give up the one they fostered. sigh...besides our life style isn't suited to havin' a foster dog where it needed to be when it needed to be there.
In the meantime, I'll share other people's fosters and those poor pups stuck in doggy jail.
Y'all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Both our Shelties came from a rescue that fosters all there dogs. I am very grateful to both foster Moms. Bailey came to us as a puppy completely housebroken!!!! It was an amazing gift.
ReplyDeleteAs for us, I continue to financially support the rescue, but I know I don't have the heart for rescue. As soon as the dog came in the door, I would be heart broken letting it go. I also know Bailey has huge attachment issues. It is next to impossible for us to take Katy to the Vet if Bailey doesn't go. I can only imagine the horrors if we brought a foster in and it left. He'd become even more distressed. So, we will continue to do everything for those who do have the ability to foster.
Fosters are such an important part of animal rescue. My favorite quote about fostering goes something like this "I would rather cry and watch them leave my home to live full lives, then cry because no one stepped up and they died alone and afraid in a shelter." (This was shared by Jax's mom http://adventuresindogfostering.wordpress.com/). I have not fostered, but I would love to one day. I believe fosters save more lives than I can even imagine.
ReplyDeleteGreat info!! Fostering is on my list of things I want to do when I have more free time. Thank you for listing out these questions. They are soo important for people to consider.
ReplyDeleteWe give foster parents lots of credit. We couldn't foster because once a pet comes in our home, they are here forever. Fosters do great work, but it wouldn't be for us.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for helping to spread the word about fostering. At our house we always have at least one foster animal. Right now Willamina the cat is living with us because the shelter has too many cats and she isn't very good with strangers. But we are working on that--slowly. Fostering is very important part of of helping some dogs and cats with challenges take the next step to find their forever home. However, I will agree that it is hard to let them go sometimes.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I couldn't foster. I'd turn into an animal hoarder. Plus, Nola's picky about the dogs she likes.
ReplyDeleteDM
We fostered for quite a while, but then the inn became full and the nearby group that we fostered for became defunct. The nearest Greyhound group to us, that we adopt from, is a two hour drive, and I don't feel that's fair to do to potential adoptees. One day, we might foster again. We'll see!
ReplyDelete