And feel really awesome for saving a life!
Foster homes allow shelters and rescue groups to find loving homes for more cats and dogs. Read on to learn more about how to get started.
Even though Americans clearly love their pets — we spend over $100 billion on our companion animals annually — more than 347,000 dogs and cats were killed in America’s animal shelters in 2020. So how do animal lovers ensure that no animals are killed in shelters? The single most impactful thing an individual can do is foster shelter pets so that they have a safe and loving home until they are ready for a new family of their own.
Bringing home an unknown dog or cat from a shelter may seem intimidating, but by working with an established animal shelter or rescue group you will have support through every step of the process.
Step #1 - Shop around
Begin by researching a foster program that fits your criteria; although you can foster independently, having the support of an organization reduces stress, lowers costs, and provides guidance along the way. Foster caregivers typically need to attend medical appointments and adoption events regularly, so choose a group whose physical locations are convenient for you.
Animal foster programs offer different resources to foster homes, from supplies like food to services like training. An established program with a high level of client service is usually the best option for someone new to fostering.
Potential new foster homes begin the process by completing an application, often online. The foster coordinators review the information and then provide an orientation for their program, which might be in person or online. They’ll explain more about their expectations from you as the foster caregiver as well as the resources they will provide. Foster programs generally require that participants sign a legal agreement acknowledging the commitment the caregiver is making.
Now comes the fun part, matching with a pet in need of a foster home!
Step #2 - Meet your match
Animals of all kinds need foster homes, from adorable litters of playful kittens to senior dogs looking for a sunny resting place. Foster coordinators help clients find a good fit for the home, family, and lifestyle. Some animals may have unknown backgrounds and need a place to decompress and be evaluated. Others may come from previous homes with detailed notes. A good foster program provides training and mentorship so that foster caregivers can provide for an animal’s individual needs.
The foster coordinators will review the pet’s known medical and behavioral history and provide supplies or make recommendations about what supplies are needed. They will outline any needed next steps before the pet is ready for adoption, such as spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations, or training plans.
"While so many aspects of the pandemic are beyond anyone’s control, you can undoubtedly make a difference by adopting or fostering a pet from your local shelter or rescue group. Saving a life is incredibly rewarding, and you get to come home to the embodiment of happiness in a grateful cat or dog.." – Julie Castle, CEO, Best Friends Animal Society
Step #3 - Your foster at home
Fostering is similar to caring for your own pet, but there are important differences. A foster home is a new place for the animal, so they might not be ready to show their full personality right away. Some are very excited to get a break from a shelter or to spend more time with people, while others may be overwhelmed by all the changes and want to rest alone. Either way, keep a new foster pet away from children and other animals in the beginning while you learn more about them in a new environment.
Work at the pet’s pace and slowly introduce new people, animals, and experiences. A separated space is an ideal place for relaxation and breaks amidst the stress or excitement of the new home. Choose an area of the house like a spare bedroom, office, or den where the foster pet can have a quiet, private space.
Step #4 - The next steps
Foster caregivers help adoptable pets get ready for their next steps, so it is important to follow any medical or behavioral plans provided by the foster organization and to get them used to life as a member of a family. This may involve visits to veterinary clinics for care, sessions with trainers, or just practice with basic life skills and acclimation to the smells and sounds of a home environment.
Once a foster pet has been cleared for adoption, the foster coordinators will ask for photos and information about their personality to market them. Some foster programs show off animals on their websites and social media so that local adopters can see them and inquire. Other programs work with partner organizations in other parts of the country to transfer animals to adoption programs with lots of inquiries and few local pets looking for new homes.
Step #5 - Marketing
Whether a foster pet will be adopted locally or transferred for adoption, the information gathered by foster caregivers provides valuable insight about that animal’s ideal future home. Potential adopters want to know whether the pet has interacted with other animals, children, adults, and how they do in different situations. Foster caregivers can attest to their observations about their foster pet’s personality, house manners, and any special abilities or challenges.
Many foster caregivers find adopters on their own through their personal networks, or by taking the foster pet out in public with a bandana or other signage that displays they are available for adoption. Some find that their foster pet has already become a part of a family and most programs allow foster caregivers to adopt if they fall in love.
Foster to save a life!
Whether you end up adopting your foster pet or they find a new family after their time in foster care, it is a positive outcome and an impactful way for animal lovers to support their community. Pets thrive in loving homes, not kennel environments, and foster homes allow homeless pets to benefit from the experience of a family while they wait for their next steps. Stepping up to foster a pet in need increases a community’s resources to support animal services so that killing animals in shelters becomes a distant memory. Click here to read more about fostering a pet and to find a shelter or rescue group near you looking for new foster homes.
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