Fostering Hope: A Compassionate Journey into Rescued Pet Fostering
Fostering animals awaiting their furever homes is the perfect way to give back to your community while providing a deserving pet with a compassionate, secure environment away from the stress of an animal shelter. If you’ve been considering the idea of animal rescue fostering, read on for more information about fostering pets for adoption.
What is Pet Fostering?
If you’ve got the space in your home and heart to help animals in need, pet fostering might be the perfect fit for you. When you make the decision to become a foster pet parent, you’ll be providing care for an animal on a temporary basis while they’re awaiting adoption. Before committing to fostering pets for adoption, be sure you are willing and able to do the following:
- Provide a safe, pet-proof living space.
- Provide for a pet’s basic needs, including food, water, toys, litter and litter box, leash, puppy pads, and other necessary supplies.
- Provide unconditional love and gentle interaction that aligns with the animal’s comfort level.
- Transport the pet to a veterinarian when necessary.
- Take the pet to meet-and-greets with potential pet adopters.
- Communicate any medical or behavioral concerns to the animal shelter.
Fostering Animals if You Have Children or Other Pets
Pet fostering in households with children is the perfect way to show children how to love and care for another living being. Be sure to let the animal shelter know that you have children, and they will choose the animal that’s the best fit. Similarly, if there are other pets in your household, tell the animal shelter. Plenty of pets are naturally social creatures and will thrive in an environment with other animals.
How Long Does Pet Fostering Last?
Each pet’s needs are different, so animals needing temporary pet homes could be there anywhere from a day or two to several months. Pet foster parents can expect to provide rescued pet care for 6 to 8 weeks for newborn kittens, for example. Animals in need of long-term medical care or senior pets awaiting adoption may require longer stays in temporary pet homes.
Animal Rescue Fostering: The First Step
If you’re considering pet fostering, the first thing to do is contact your local animal shelter or rescue organization. If they have a pet fostering program, they’ll likely ask you to fill out an application and provide information about your household and the types of animals you’re interested in fostering. You’ll probably be asked for details about your daily routine and your experience with caring for pets.
Your Foster “Fail” is a Pet Success Story!
Foster “fails” happen as often as half the time, but it’s not considered a failure at all! If you just can’t part with that precious pet, let the animal shelter know as soon as possible so the organization stops looking for other adoption opportunities.
At Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care, we’re here to support the needs of both your foster animals and permanent pets. Please contact us at (704) 334-4684 if you have any questions about our veterinary services.