Many people are generous when it comes to helping homeless pets. They donate money, volunteer at shelters, and organize and staff fundraising and adoption events. But for those who can take it to another level, fostering is one of the most important ways to help homeless pets. This hands-on donation of time, expertise and resources makes special-needs pets adoptable while freeing shelter space for more animals.
It's also one of the most gratifying of experiences, with a built-in risk of falling in love, time and time again.
Fostering is a way to help more pets find fur-ever homes by freeing up space in shelters. And for pets who become overstressed in shelter environments or need medical or behavioral interventions, it gives them the time they need to rehabilitate. Additionally, many small rescue groups have no kennel space of their own and rely solely on foster homes to take in pets awaiting adoption.
Foster families bottle-feed kittens, raise litters of puppies, teach young dogs manners and provide loving home environments for pets of all kinds, from reptiles, birds and small mammals to cats and dogs of all kinds. Some experienced foster families provide home care to pets recovering from medical treatments or work to resolve behavior problems.
Some fostering is short-term, but other kinds can be a serious commitment of weeks, months or even more. That can certainly be the case with “hospice fostering,” providing a home for elderly or terminally ill pets through the end of their lives.
It may take time to find the right fostering fit for you, but ask around – the possibilities and the number of pets in need are both vast.
Established nonprofit organizations, whether shelters or rescue groups, typically pay for veterinary expenses, provided you use their recommended veterinarians to save costs. The medical decisions, like the invoices, are often not yours to deal with. Smaller, informal rescue groups may ask foster families to handle expenses in part, supplemented by fundraising, or completely. Some municipal shelters have nonprofit fundraising arms that pay for and often manage fostering operations.
Other expenses may be covered by the foster family, including food, equipment such as collars and dishes, and transportation. Insurance against injury caused by a foster pet is typically carried under the foster family’s homeowners or rental insurance; check with your insurance company to be sure. It’s important to know what your financial responsibilities will be before agreeing to foster a pet, so ask questions from the outset.
If you’re new to fostering, it’s best to work with an established organization. These kinds of organizations will evaluate your experience, your home environment, and the other people and pets in your household before placing an animal with you. They may also have an initial orientation and ongoing support to iron out any wrinkles in caring for your foster pet. Because fostering involves a lot of unpredictability, it’s essential that you follow advice and guidelines to keep everyone safe.
Be clear on what you’re getting into, and on how to get help when you need it. Don’t muddle through on your own: Tap into the experience of others to get through the rough stretches and resolve challenges.
Once you have your foster pet, in addition to giving them a loving and safe place to live (temporarily) you can also make them more appealing to potential adopters. Some pets don’t need much – just time away from a noisy shelter to relax and warm up to people. Others need some of the basics, such as house-training, walking on leash and getting along with people and other pets.
Care for a foster pet as if they were your own, dealing with the issues as they arise. Take good notes, and help the organization find homes when your foster pet is ready. Provide appealing pictures and video for social media, and be honest with potential adopters about what’s good and not-so-good about your foster pet. People will take on all kinds of challenges if they know what they’re getting into, but bad surprises often mean a returned pet.
If your organization asks you to help “vet” prospective adopters, follow their guidance on what to ask and how to keep everyone safe.
Everyone who fosters has that one pet – or more – they fall head-over-heels in love with. It’s so common that there’s even a term for it: Foster fail. Or more simply, perhaps: Adoption.
Most shelters and rescue groups give their foster families first crack at adoption, but think it over before filling out those forms. Fostering is a way to provide more pets with the possibility of being adopted. Foster families who can’t let go soon stop fostering – they run out of room. That means fewer pets in the future will get adopted, even if the one you’ve fallen in love with finds their home with you.
To be honest, almost every long-term foster family ends up keeping a pet along the way, and if you’ve met the one meant for you, go for it! But do your best to keep space open for pets who aren’t as lucky as your new family member will be.
You’ll often find that no matter how much you love your foster pet, you’ll love even more seeing them happy in their new home. Ask for pictures from their new families, and be available to help with advice during the transition. And then … it’s time to go help another pet!
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new pet