What is foster care for pets?
It’s a gift that can be given to a pet that’s temporarily homeless, ill or injured, frightened or fearful, too young or too old to be adopted. Foster care could be given to a litter of baby animals who’ve been separated from their mother. Hospice care could be given to an ill or older animal at the end of its life. Fosterers offer a temporary safe haven for pets of military service members who are deployed where their pets cannot accompany them. Foster homes provide a service for overcrowded shelters, as well as for local and national rescue organizations, by accepting the placement of pets in short-term “practice” homes where the animals can be cared for and evaluated—even taught new skills and coping mechanisms—until “forever” homes become available.
Who can foster?
Adults (at least 18 years of age) are usually the official fosterers, although certainly the whole family in the residence and extended family and friends can also become involved—in fact, their participation is important. The official fosterers are asked to complete a detailed foster application that covers, among other things, their housing situation. For example, many foster programs require a fenced yard, and most will require that fosterers who rent have their landlord’s written permission. Prospective fosterers must sign an agreement to follow the foster program’s terms; the foster program retains the legal ownership of the foster animal. Many foster organizations require prospective fosterers to complete a formal background check through their state patrol or other official entity. Often, too, there will be what’s called a “home visit”—that is, experienced representatives from the fostering agency arrange to visit the prospective fosterer’s residence. This visit can help potential fosterers by highlighting simple changes at their residence that will make fostering safer and easier.
Is there training?
Yes! I’d say if there isn’t training, look for another organization! In most cases, prospective fosterers will have had some personal contact with the organization they’re applying to work with . . . volunteering at the organization’s shelter or rescue locations, helping out at adoption events, visiting experienced foster homes. Once the prospective fosterer has officially applied to offer foster help, their education will include online training, books, DVDs, and in-person meetings with foster coordinators. Many shelters and larger rescues provide actual training sessions, attendance mandatory, with foster experts, trainers, behaviorists, and veterinarians. This experience will be invaluable when the first foster animal walks or is carried through the fosterer’s front door!
What does it cost?
The typical animal foster program covers all the animal’s expenses while it is in a foster home. That includes food, formula, supplements, dishes, litter pans, litter, leashes/harnesses/collars, crates and/or exercise pens, veterinary care, training classes and/or individual coaching, sometimes even transportation costs. Should the foster program not cover all expenses, the fosterer may find that some of the costs of fostering may be deducted from income taxes as donations to a qualified 501(c)(3) organization. Pet food and supplies, veterinary bills, even clean-up equipment may be deductible—even 14 cents per mile (in 2015) for trips made solely for the organization. (In some cases, even a percentage of your utility bills may be deducted, as long as a specific area of your home is used only for the care of the foster/s and for nothing else.) Documentation is needed to support these deductions. Keep receipts, canceled checks, and credit card statements. For expenses over $250, the organization must provide a written acknowledgement of your donation/s with a clear itemization of the costs the fosterer has borne on the organization’s behalf.
How long does a foster placement last?
Fosters typically last from one week to three or four months before an animal is ready for permanent adoption. For example, puppies and kittens under the age of eight weeks need foster care—they can be one-day-olds who need bottle feeding, or they can be six-week-olds who need a safe and happy space to grow up a little more before they can be adopted to forever homes. Mother animals that are pregnant can be fostered until their babies are born . . . or until their babies are old enough to be adopted and the mother animal is adopted, too. Shelters and rescue organizations should be working hard on their end to find not only prospective homes for current fosters, but also more qualified foster homes to help. If you have a time limit on your availability—only during summer vacation, for example, or over the winter holidays—make sure the foster coordinators understand. Many well-organized foster programs that supervise numbers of foster homes also provide “respite” care for fosterers, so that someone else can care for your foster/s if you have a sudden emergency or schedule conflict that keeps you away from home for a short time—or when you just need a break.
What about military fosters?
It’s not always possible for people serving in the military to take their pets to a new assignment. Family, friends, or neighbors may be willing to house the pet or pets while a service member is stationed far from home, but not all pet owners in military service have that option. Military personnel may be able to get assistance in fostering their pet/s from their base command. Shelters and private organizations like Dogs On Deployment and Military Pets FOSTER Project may also be able to help. Should you be in a position to foster a service member’s pet (usually a long-term commitment), contact your local animal shelter or humane organization to see what organizations are active in your area.
NEXT WEEK: FIRST-TIME FOSTER—WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT?
