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All About Fostering
(www.foster-a-pet)
We were unable to find anything applicable to SA in our search, however this article gives you a good idea. We would suggest reading through below, and then get in touch with a few shelters near you and see how they work with fostering, as could be different at each shelter.
(www.foster-a-pet)
We were unable to find anything applicable to SA in our search, however this article gives you a good idea. We would suggest reading through below, and then get in touch with a few shelters near you and see how they work with fostering, as could be different at each shelter.
Four Parts: Deciding if Fostering is Right For You : How to Get a Foster Pet : Being a Good Foster Parent : Saying Goodbye To Your Foster Pet:
Part 1 - Deciding if fostering is right for you

Ask yourself if fostering is right for you.
You should make sure that you are able to provide a foster pet with everything s/he needs. You should consider what you are able to realistically offer your new foster.[2] Ask yourself:
What size foster can you handle? Do you have past experience with a certain size of animal?
You should make sure that you are able to provide a foster pet with everything s/he needs. You should consider what you are able to realistically offer your new foster.[2] Ask yourself:
What size foster can you handle? Do you have past experience with a certain size of animal?
- Do you prefer short term or long term fostering? Are you interested in fostering a pet for 2 weeks, a few months, or a few years?
- What sort of pet can you foster? Do you have experience with bottle feeding kittens? Can you foster reptiles?
- What kind of fostering do you want to do? Do you want to foster an older animal in its last years? Do you want to foster a litter of kittens until the shelter has more space? Do you want to take on a ‘foster failure’ animal that may have behavioral or medical issues?
- How many animals can you foster at a time? Can you handle one hyper puppy or a whole litter of them?
Think of time requirements.
Fostering an animal takes a time commitment. Ask yourself if you have time to properly socialize and take care of an animal. Consider things like:
Budget for the financial aspect
In addition to time requirements, you should consider the expense of fostering an animal. You will need to be able to afford the basic necessities to raise an animal, and maybe even some unexpected expenses. Consider having to purchase:
Fostering an animal takes a time commitment. Ask yourself if you have time to properly socialize and take care of an animal. Consider things like:
- Do you work away from the home during the day? Will you be able to take the pets out for a walk or feed them on time?
- Does your job require you to travel frequently? If so, do you have a trustworthy person who is willing to care of your foster pet while you are away?
- Can you take time off work to take your pet to the vet if you need to?
- Can you afford to lose sleep to take care of a sick or injured pet?
Budget for the financial aspect
In addition to time requirements, you should consider the expense of fostering an animal. You will need to be able to afford the basic necessities to raise an animal, and maybe even some unexpected expenses. Consider having to purchase:
- Leashes, collars, accessories
- Food dishes/bowls
- Food and treats
- Medicine (such as flea and tick medication)
- Potential surgeries (spay or neuter)
- Training costs
- Bedding, cages, fences

Consider your home/space.
The physical space or type or home you live in is important to consider when fostering. Ask yourself:
The physical space or type or home you live in is important to consider when fostering. Ask yourself:
- Do you have the physical space you need to house a foster animal?
- Do you have someplace you can quarantine the foster animal away from your family or other pets if you need to?
- Will your landlord allow you to foster animals or have pets?
- If the foster damages something in your house, can you afford to repair it?
Respect your other pets
Before you go and pick up the next stray animal you see, consider the pets you already have at home. You need to consider the behavioral and the medical ramifications behind bringing another pet into your home.
Set rules for yourself
Writing down expectations for yourself at the beginning of the fostering process may make it easier to make decisions in the long run.[5] Consider answering these questions:
Part 2 - How to Get a Foster Pet
Do an internet search
If you are unsure where to start looking for a foster pet, go onto your favorite search engine and try to search for what you are looking for. This may bring up search results in your area and give you a place to begin looking. Try searching for some of these key phrases:
Before you go and pick up the next stray animal you see, consider the pets you already have at home. You need to consider the behavioral and the medical ramifications behind bringing another pet into your home.
- Will your pet get along with a strange animal?
- Will the foster get along with your pet or hurt him?
- Will your pet or the foster pass on a disease or illness?
- Will your pet be jealous if you have a foster in the house?
Set rules for yourself
Writing down expectations for yourself at the beginning of the fostering process may make it easier to make decisions in the long run.[5] Consider answering these questions:
- How long will you keep this pet?
- How will you let your own pets interact with the foster?
- What will you do if your kids or family gets too attached to the foster?
- How much money are you willing to spend on this foster?
- What procedures are you willing to have done to this foster? Will you pay for spay/neutering and a microchip? Will you pay for grooming services?
- How do you feel about fostering on short notice?
- Can you handle fostering an older pet who may die in your care?
Part 2 - How to Get a Foster Pet
Do an internet search
If you are unsure where to start looking for a foster pet, go onto your favorite search engine and try to search for what you are looking for. This may bring up search results in your area and give you a place to begin looking. Try searching for some of these key phrases:
- ”Puppy fostering in my area”
- ”Kitten fostering in Cleveland, Ohio”
- ”Animal shelters in Houston, Texas”
- ”Animal fostering in Rome, Italy”
- ”Siberian Husky rescue group”

Contact your local shelter
Local shelters often post on their websites if they need foster parents. Pets that often need fostering are pets too young to be neutered/spayed, kittens, mother cats with kittens, and puppies.[6]You can also try to contact:
Prepare for paperwork
Often, you will be required to fill out paperwork to foster a pet. Specialty rescue groups may ask you to list out personal information including income, occupation, family, personal references, local vet, house information, and backyard fence information.[7]
Set up a home tour
When you get into touch with a fostering group, they may ask to do a home inspection or house tour to see if your housing is suitable for a pet. They will look for:
Attend an orientation
Some organizations will require you to attend a short orientation that will outline what is expected of you. This is a great opportunity to meet with animal protection staff or local vets.[9]
Local shelters often post on their websites if they need foster parents. Pets that often need fostering are pets too young to be neutered/spayed, kittens, mother cats with kittens, and puppies.[6]You can also try to contact:
- Research specialized organizations -- If you are looking for pet specific or breed specific, try internet searching for specialized organizations in your area. For example, if you are interested in fostering a golden retriever, search for “golden retriever rescue groups.” Often, these organizations will rescue breed-specific animals and place them into foster care under their own terms and conditions.
- Your local vet’s office -- Sometimes, stray animals or abandoned animals will get left a vet’s office. Talk to your vet in the area to see if they are looking for foster parents.
Prepare for paperwork
Often, you will be required to fill out paperwork to foster a pet. Specialty rescue groups may ask you to list out personal information including income, occupation, family, personal references, local vet, house information, and backyard fence information.[7]
- This information allows the shelter to determine if your home is a good fit for its foster animals.
Set up a home tour
When you get into touch with a fostering group, they may ask to do a home inspection or house tour to see if your housing is suitable for a pet. They will look for:
- The size of your home to see if the pet will be comfortable and have enough space.
- The condition of your home to see if the pet will be safe.
- The security and size of your backyard to determine if the pet can safely be out doors.
- Any potential hazards in your home including busy streets nearby, potentially dangerous areas, etc
Attend an orientation
Some organizations will require you to attend a short orientation that will outline what is expected of you. This is a great opportunity to meet with animal protection staff or local vets.[9]
Part 3 - Being a Good Foster Parent

Socialize your pet
A main goal for fostering a pet is preparing the animal for a forever home. Therefore, you want to make sure the foster pet is able to be social with other humans and maybe other pets.[10] There are many ways to socialize your pet:
Play with your pet
Once your foster begins to feel comfortable in your presence, you should play with her. This mentally and physically stimulates your foster pet. Foster dogs need to have two 30 minute play sessions a day.
A main goal for fostering a pet is preparing the animal for a forever home. Therefore, you want to make sure the foster pet is able to be social with other humans and maybe other pets.[10] There are many ways to socialize your pet:
- Give the pet a two day period to become accustomed to its new environment before attempted socialization.
- Move slowly and speak softly around new animals. You do not want to startle or make the animal nervous.
- Let the pet become a part of the household action. For example, let kittens play in the living room while the family watches television.
- Reward positive behaviors with praise or treats. For example, if your foster dog properly uses the bathroom outside (and not on the kitchen floor) praise it with positive reinforcement. Say things like: “Good dog!”
- Introduce handling or petting. Start off for short increments (5-10 minutes) and practice until the foster pet becomes accustomed to a person’s touch.[11]
- Above all, be patient. Do not rush socialization. Let the foster pet become accustomed to you and its new household.
- Understand that each pet is unique and two socialization experiences may not be be the same between two different animals.
- Always socialize foster pets with other animals in a controlled environment. You may not be able to predict how either animal will react.
Play with your pet
Once your foster begins to feel comfortable in your presence, you should play with her. This mentally and physically stimulates your foster pet. Foster dogs need to have two 30 minute play sessions a day.
- Try playing with pet toys with your foster pet.
- You can try food or puzzles that provide treats when played with.[13]
- At the very least, perhaps walk your foster dog around in a park or let your foster kitten play with toys.

Take care of any medical needs
While fostering, you should take care of your foster pet’s medical needs. This may include routine shots and medications like flea and tick preventative. You may also be asked to microchip or groom your pet.
Work on behavioral training
Because you are most likely going to try and place a foster animal into a permanent home, behavioral training is important. New owners may want to know what sort of training the foster pet has had in the past.
Make your pet comfortable
A comfortable pet is a happy pet; it is easier to find a home for a happy pet. Make sure you provide all the basic necessities for your foster pet including food, water, treats, cage, litter box, and toys.
While fostering, you should take care of your foster pet’s medical needs. This may include routine shots and medications like flea and tick preventative. You may also be asked to microchip or groom your pet.
- Talk to your foster provider or vet about any known illnesses your foster pet may be coming into your home with.
- Always monitor your pet’s health for any signs of disease, stress, or illness.
Work on behavioral training
Because you are most likely going to try and place a foster animal into a permanent home, behavioral training is important. New owners may want to know what sort of training the foster pet has had in the past.
- For dogs, this may include being house broken and knowing basic commands like sit, stay, lay down.
- For cats, this might include litter-box training.
- Often, pet stores and veterinary clinics offer basic obedience classes for free or a low price. Talk to your vet or foster provider about training opportunities.
Make your pet comfortable
A comfortable pet is a happy pet; it is easier to find a home for a happy pet. Make sure you provide all the basic necessities for your foster pet including food, water, treats, cage, litter box, and toys.
Part 4 - Saying Goodbye To Your Foster Pet
Find a potential owner
When your foster pet is healthy and happy enough to be adopted to a forever home, you can help find and screen potential new owners. Write a description for your foster and take some great pictures. Consider:
When your foster pet is healthy and happy enough to be adopted to a forever home, you can help find and screen potential new owners. Write a description for your foster and take some great pictures. Consider:
- Take pictures of your pet in different situations such as playing, napping, eating.
- Write a descriptive history about your pet including where she came from and how she has improved.[14]
- Be sure to include any behavioral problems or medical issues in the description. You do not want to mislead any potential new owners!
- You can advertise through pet adoption websites, local shelters, or vet’s office.
Meet with potential owners
Before you agree to send your foster to her new home, sit down with the potential owner and explain your experiences with your foster.
as above, this is normally undertaken by the shelter - however, this information is invaluable for the potential new owner
Create an adoption folder
Before you remove the foster from your home, it is a good idea to collect a folder of all of the animal’s resources. This may include:
Before you agree to send your foster to her new home, sit down with the potential owner and explain your experiences with your foster.
- Talk about any issues (behavioral or medical) you have experienced.
- Talk about your daily routine.
- Talk about what sort of food and toys your pet likes.
- Ask the potential owners if they are willing to continue to provide the level of care you have given the foster pet.
as above, this is normally undertaken by the shelter - however, this information is invaluable for the potential new owner
Create an adoption folder
Before you remove the foster from your home, it is a good idea to collect a folder of all of the animal’s resources. This may include:
- Receipts for pet food, toys, etc that gives brand names and other details.
- Vet paperwork detailing procedure dates and due dates for shots or medication.
- List of previous and current medications.
- Training certificates.
- List of previous or current health or behavioral conditions.
- Your name and contact information.
- The name and contact information of a trusted vet.