Foster pet parents provide a temporary home for pets while they search for their forever homes. In return, you get to watch these wonderful creatures develop into amazing beings!
But becoming a foster pet parent is no small feat. It takes dedication, time, patience and the commitment to learn how to foster an animal.
Find a foster pet
One of the best ways to help animals is by foster care. Fostering an animal can be a gratifying experience. Not only will you be providing them with much-needed space in your home, but also all the love and tender loving care that they deserve.
To become a foster parent, the initial step is to find an organization that you would like to partner with. Research the organization thoroughly and make sure you feel comfortable with their policy regarding foster care. You may also need to fill out an application.
Be ready to answer any queries the organization may have. Who pays for the dog’s food, microchip, leashes, crate and other supplies? Will you be responsible for training the pup? And will you be meeting potential adopters with this furry friend?
Once you’ve identified a dog to foster, be sure to fill out the application for foster care. Doing this will guarantee the shelter or rescue group has all of the information needed to match you with an animal.
Furthermore, many rescue organizations have specific criteria when it comes to fostering. For instance, they may require information on whether you have children or if your yard is fenced-in.
It’s essential to remember that if a pet is temporarily in your care, they must be rehomed at some point. Otherwise, it would not be fair to the animal or the organization caring for them.
Prepare your home.
Fostering pets is an incredibly rewarding experience and one that will fill you with pride. However, it requires a significant time commitment so it’s important to take your time when preparing your home and ensure you can handle the responsibility.
Fostering pets is easy! All you have to do is reach out to local shelters or rescue groups and inquire if they require fosters. Most organizations will ask you to fill out an application and arrange a home visit; once approved, you can begin searching for the perfect dog or cat match!
Once you’ve selected a foster dog or cat, it is time to prepare your home. Generally, setting up an area specifically for them with toys and beds is necessary; additionally, food and water bowls may be provided.
When introducing children or other pets into your foster animal household, exercise caution. Always supervise and introduce them gradually, and only allow them to interact with the animal after they have been trained properly.
Before bringing your foster pet home, you should ensure your home is pet-proof. This includes making sure the pet cannot access items like dangling wires, children’s toys and houseplants; additionally, make sure your backyard fence does not offer a hazardous escape route for the animal.
Set up a schedule.
Fostering can be a time-consuming endeavor, so if you want to do it right, your schedule must come first. Fostering an animal requires plenty of love and care, so creating an organized routine will guarantee they receive the best care possible. Furthermore, having a written plan in place before hand will allow both of you to savor every moment together.
The best part is that fostering a pet can be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences of your life! Seeing a new puppy or kitten for the first time will fill you with joy. In essence, fostering pets is an excellent way to demonstrate that you care and believe pets deserve nothing but the best life possible.
Give your foster pet lots of love.
Fostering is an invaluable way to assist animals in need. Not only does it save lives by freeing up space at shelters for other rescue efforts, but research also indicates that pets placed in foster homes do better than their counterparts in shelters.
As a foster pet parent, you will open your home to an abandoned animal in need of love, cuddles and safety. However, it’s essential to remember this is only temporary; once it’s time for your foster pet to be adopted, you must part ways with them.
It can be a trying time for both you and your foster pet. But if you can remember to show him lots of love during these trying times, it will help him get through them easier.
Fostering a younger or fearful dog requires giving them plenty of time to settle in. You can do this by taking them on long walks, providing one-on-one playtime and rewarding positive interactions with treats.
The Anti-Cruelty Society also provides downloadable personality profile guides that can help you get to know your foster pet’s temperament. Doing so will enable you to recognize potential issues such as fear reactions or inappropriate attention-seeking behavior and how best to address them.
Before your foster pet comes to live with you, make sure all necessary supplies are available in your home – food, water and beds included. Be ready to teach them basic socialization skills such as feeding, sleeping and potty training in a structured way (crate training is an excellent option!).
For a while, it may be necessary to separate your new foster pet from other dogs in your household if they’re not used to being together. You can do this by providing separate food and water bowls, beds, crates and toys.