Become a Foster Parent
Thank you for your willingness to learn more about fostering a dog or a cat. To open up your heart and home to an animal in need, is truly one of the most rewarding things in the area of animal rescue. Before you foster a pet from Furry Friends Network, we do require for your own pets’ protection, all resident animals are altered, fully vaccinated, tested for heartworm/Lyme disease (dogs) / FeLV/FIV (cats) and on monthly preventatives (heartworm dogs, flea/tick dogs and cats). The status of your pets’ medical care will be verified by calling your veterinarian, so please be sure to contact your veterinarian and provide permission to release this information. All our animals will also be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and on preventatives. However, please note many will require medicine as many of the animals we serve have come from not-so-great conditions.
Foster homes provide love and shelter, while the rescue group pays for food, supplies and all medical expenses. However, if you are willing to help us offset these costs (even in part), that would be much appreciated. A foster home is precious to a rescue group because the foster parent gets to know the animal’s personality and helps the rescue group better match the pet with the perfect home.
The foster parent must be able to transport the animal, when needed, to and from vet appointments and weekend adoption events. You can also help process adoption applications submitted for your animal or even help with home visits, if you choose. By doing so, you have the opportunity to get to know the prospective adopters for your foster animal. You will be able to see the interaction between the animal and family and help with the adoption decision.
How Long Do You Foster a Pet For: The average time an animal is fostered is several weeks; however, it could be as little as a few days or as much as a several months. Foster animals get adopted at different rates depending on age, breed, gender and ability to get along with children and/or other animals. Although rescue groups prefer an animal remains in one foster home until a permanent home is found, they realize this is not always possible. Foster parents have the right to discontinue fostering at any time for any reason. Fostering help for days, weeks or months is needed and welcome
Many people with children and pets foster animals. The rescue group will gather as much information as possible on the background of its rescue animals and their ability to get along with children and other animals. You, of course, need to know your children and pets’ abilities to adjust to a visiting dog or cat.
Suitable Home: A fenced yard is great, but not necessary. If you rent a home, you need to have your landlord’s permission to have a dog or cat living with you, even on a temporary basis
Supplies: We supply everything you need to foster a pet: vet care, food, dishes, leash, collar, treats, toys and medications will be provided as needed. A crate is a convenient piece of equipment for foster animals and can be provided if needed. If you already have a pet bed, that’s great. If not, old blankets and towels make a comfortable place for your foster to sleep. You are welcome to supply equipment listed above, but not required to.
Time at Home: You should plan to spend at least two hours per day for care and exercise of the animal, and you should spend sufficient time getting to know the animal. You shouldn’t foster if you plan to be away on a trip soon after you take in a foster animal.
Experience: Past fostering experience is not required; however, some experience with animals is good to have. If you have experience with a particular breed, you may want to foster that breed. Providing some simple training or re-training of basic obedience is desirable; in some circumstances, attending a dog training class may be necessary. If you are a first-time foster parent, the rescue group will help determine which animal would be best for your situation and provide you with information that will be useful to you.
If you have any questions or are interested in opening your home and becoming a foster parent, please complete the Foster Application found in this section.
