Q: Why a Foster Care Program?
A: A crowded shelter housing a wide variety of animals is not the best environment
for the health and well-being of every animal. Very young puppies and kittens
need time for their developing immune systems to respond to vaccines that prevent
diseases while pets recovering from injury or illness need rest and supervision.
Similarly, an animal presented at the shelter might be too timid for the kennel
environment, or housebroken to the point where life in a dog run creates considerable
stress. Such animals, though they are potentially excellent pets in the home,
simply do not do well in the kennel. Foster care provides a needed transition
to adoptable age or status by maintaining human contact on an individual basis
in a home environment. In short, foster care helps make animals with special
needs more adoptable.
Q: What animals need foster care?
A: Puppies, kittens, pregnant animals near term, injured or recovering animals
and others who are not well-suited to kennel life are examples of animals with
special needs.
Q: How does the Foster Care program work?
A: Foster caregivers make a contract agreement with the Humane Society for temporary
care of the animal(s). The agreement is based on the animal's needs, may or
may not define a specific time frame for the foster care, and spells out responsibilities
of both yourself and the Humane Society. You shelter and care for the animal;
and agree to take it to the vet for scheduled vaccinations, etc. The Humane
Society remains the owner of the animal, and it comes back to the shelter at
the end of the foster care period, if a certain return date was agreed upon
in the contract agreement.
Q: Is the animal "up for adoption" while in my foster
care?
A: The animal's adoption status depends both on the animals and on your agreement
with the Humane Society. Young animals are not adopted until weaned, of course,
and there is a 7-day waiting period for all animals after arrival at the Humane
Society before an animal becomes available for adoption, as to allow any prior
owner to claim their dog or cat. However, if the animal is of adoptable age
and adoptable status, they will still be up for adoption while in your care.
Q: How can the pet find a home if potential owners do not
see it at the shelter?
A: Photos and descriptions of pets in foster homes may be on displayed at the
kennel. In addition, animals in foster homes will be listed as adoptable animals
on our petfinder page.
Q: If someone wants to adopt a pet in foster care, how does
it work?
A: Adoption takes place through the Humane Society, so anyone wanting to adopt
a pet in your care must make arrangements at the shelter. The Humane Society
staff will contact you to make arrangements for interested people to see the
animal at your convenience.
Q: Do I need special facilities?
A: Not necessarily special, but facilities appropriate for the situation are
needed. For example, a restricted area such as a fenced yard or a pen is needed
for some pets, but walks on a leash may work well for others.
Q: Who buys food and toys for fostered animals?
A: The foster parent is responsible for buying food, toys, etc for the foster
animal while in it is in their care.
Q: What about veterinary care needs and costs?
A: The Humane Society maintains a health program for vaccinations, worming,
etc and any other required health care. You would be responsible for taking
the animal to the vet for scheduled care, but the Humane Society pay the bill.
Q: What if behavior problems of the pet or changes in my
home make the foster care arrangement impossible?
A: Things happen. In unresolvable problems occur, contact the shelter and other
arrangements will be made.
Q: Can foster caregivers adopt a fostered pet?
A: You can adopt if you want (since the Humane Society goal is to find animals
good homes and we'd be crazy to say no), but is it important to remember that
for very practical reasons, you just cannot keep every animal (your mother told
you this). The adoption fee will need to be paid if you decide to adopt the
animal.
Click here for a foster application
(You will need to print out the application, fill it in completely, then either e-mail us at ahs_40342@yahoo.com OR come on out to the Adoption Center to let us know which animal you want to foster so that we can get the process started)
Need financial help getting your pet spayed/neutered? Click here!