Want to save a life? Consider fostering!
Pets & People have two placement options after rescue. One is that after a pet is rescued from peril, the pet is placed in our Adoption Center. The other is once a pet is rescued, the pet is placed in a foster home. Many times our Adoption Center is at capacity so we rely on our foster homes to help us save pets when they are in their final hours in a kill shelter.
Why Foster?
Fostering saves the life of the pet in foster care, plus makes space for another animal at shelters that store pets waiting for rescue. By fostering, you automatically save two lives!
Pet foster parents are very much like child foster parents. They care for a homeless pet as if he/she was their own until he/she is adopted. Shelter environments can be extremely stressful for dogs. It is much more comfortable for them to stay in a home environment. They are able to get more individualized care in someone’s home. It also gives them better socialization skills, which makes them a more well-adjusted pet. Also, the foster parent is able to learn about the pet’s personality, likes, and dislikes so that he can be better matched to the right forever home. Pets in foster home have a much higher rate of the adoption “sticking” when they are placed in a forever home because the personality of the pet is known so much more and with that information, it helps us determine a perfect adopter.
If you join our foster program, we will match you with a suitable pet to foster. For example, if you have a female dog who does not get along with other females, we will only have you foster male dogs. If you work full time and cannot care for young puppies, we will only have you foster adults.
You also have the opportunity to meet your foster pet’s potential adopters. Nobody knows that foster dog better than you do, so you have input in who can adopt that pet. If you do NOT wish to have input in this process, that’s fine too! We have trained adoption counselors who will make sure your foster “Baby” goes to a great home. Many of our fosters stay in contact with the adoptive family so they receive updates from them about their progress. There is truly nothing more rewarding than knowing that your love and care saved a life and gave a pet a life redo in a forever, loving home.
All Veterinary care is paid for by Pets & People. We’ll make the appointments for spay/neuter and any other care the foster dog or cat needs. You provide shelter, transportation to and from Vet appointments and meet and greet appointments.
How long will I keep a pet?
It’s impossible to predict how long an animal will remain in foster care. Some pets are adopted within a few days of becoming available. Others wait a few months for a home. Pets & People NEVER euthanizes an animal for taking too long to be adopted. Our animals stay with us for as long as it takes. If you have to take a vacation or just need a break, we have other foster families that can help out.
Also, if you get a pet home and it just isn’t a fit, we can switch the pet for one at our shelter that is a better fit. The most important aspect of our foster program is the pet is placed in an environment that is compatible so the pet can thrive while in foster care.
What if I get attached?
Getting attached to your foster pet is normal. After all, we do this because we love pets! The most common question we as foster parents are asked is how we can give them up. The answer is simple. It saves lives. It is hard to say goodbye to a pet we’ve fallen in love with, but the alternative is even sadder. We get the satisfaction of helping a previously lost and unwanted animal find a loving forever home. That makes it all worth it. The trick is to get attached with Velcro and not glue!
If you do decide that you can’t give up an animal, that’s ok, too. Foster parents can go through the adoption process and pay the adoption fee just like any other adopter. The important thing is to think about what is in the animal’s best interest. Sometimes, even if we love them, the best thing for the pet is to let them go.
What supplies will I need to foster?
Nothing! Pets & People will provide everything you need to save a life; crate, food, collar, leash, flea/tick medication, and all veterinary costs. We also provide you with on call support should you need anything while fostering. Our staff values our fosters very much and want you to have the best experience possible in saving a life. All you provide is love.
How do I become a pet foster parent?
Please submit an application for the type of animal you are interested in fostering. If you have specific questions about our foster program, please contact us. If you see a particular pet on Facebook who you would like to foster, let us know.