Foster Volunteering Q&A

Foster Volunteering
By Laura Bender


Q) What does it mean to “foster” an animal?
A) Foster “parents” work with established rescue organizations to temporarily take homeless animals (usually dogs or cats) into their home, caring for them as they would their own pet.

Q) How long is an animal fostered?
A) It depends. Usually the animal is kept until it can be adopted into it’s new “forever” home. Some organizations may have a need for short term, emergency foster homes until space opens up at a shelter or another foster home. In some cases, a foster home is needed until an animal recuperates from surgery or some other medical condition. And many organizations seek foster homes for puppies and kittens until they are old enough to be adopted (usually 8-14 weeks, depending on the shelter).

Q) What if I bring an animal home and it doesn’t work out
A) Before fostering, you should make sure that the organization is capable of taking the animal back if necessary. But potential foster parents should know that the initial days and weeks of fostering a new animal can be challenging. Transitioning to a new environment can be stressful to an animal, and even previously housebroken pets may have accidents at first, and in unfamiliar surroundings dogs may display inappropriate chewing or barking. It’s particularly stressful for a sheltered animal to be brought to a home only to be returned back to a shelter environment—so unless you are willing to work through these common “issues”, it may best to focus your volunteer efforts working with animals at the shelter itself.

Q) How is fostering beneficial?
A) By fostering an animal, often you are freeing up a shelter cage so that another animal’s life can be saved. Fostering can also prevent behavior problems from developing. Often a well-mannered, suddenly homeless but previously loved pet will become so confused or frightened in a shelter environment that they begin to exhibit new, detrimental behaviors. These previously very adoptable animals can become very difficult or impossible to place.

Less socialized animals benefit just as much, as they become more trusting of people and learn important social skills. In both cases, fostering often makes an animal more adoptable, and as a foster parent you can provide feedback on how the animal behaves in a home—decreasing the chance the animal will be returned.

Q) What are the requirements to be a foster home?
A) Requirements vary by organization, but above all they will be concerned with making sure you can provide a safe environment for the pet. Almost all organizations require you to fill out an application and many require a home inspection and/or training session prior to placing an animal.

Q) Can I foster if I have children?
A) While some organizations prohibit or limit the age of children in a foster home, others welcome children as long as the child can be trusted to treat the animal humanely. If you do have children, or anyone with special needs (such as an elderly family member), make sure the foster organization is aware of it so they can choose a suitable pet for your home.

Q) Can I foster if I already have dogs or cats?
A) Yes, as long as your pets get along with other animals. Make sure the foster organization knows that you have pets—many shelters that house both dogs and cats will “cat test” dogs before placing them in households with cats. Always be very cautious bringing a new dog into a house with cats, even if they’ve “passed a cat test” or lived with cats before. It’s not unusual for a dog that is “friends” with one cat to view a new cat as prey.

If you have a dog at home, it’s best to introduce your dog to the potential foster dog in a neutral area (outside the sheltering organization usually works fine) before you bring the dog home, to see how they get along. Unfortunately, most cats do not appreciate a similar trip, so cat introductions may be best done at home.

If you do have pets, before bringing a foster into your home make sure that it has had a preliminary medical screening and received the appropriate vaccinations. Ask your vet what they specifically recommend. If you bring a new animal into your home before it’s been medically screened, it’s prudent to keep the animal in a separate area of the house (and yard) until a screening examination can be done.

Q) Isn’t it hard to give animals back?
A) Absolutely. After spending time in your home with your family, it’s likely you’ll become very attached to your foster pet. In fact, sometimes foster homes become permanent homes as the foster family decides to adopt the pet forever. However, most foster pets eventually get placed in new forever homes. While it’s sad to see them go, you have satisfaction knowing that they are going into their new home better prepared because of your efforts. And if the house feels empty after they’re gone, you have the opportunity to help another animal along the path to a new home.

Q) How can I find an organization that needs foster homes?
A) Most animal rescue organizations have a foster program, or can refer you to someone that does. Petfinder has a comprehensive list of rescue organizations, including breed rescues that can be searched geographically at http://www.petfinder.com/shelters.html

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