Foster
How Fostering Makes a
Fostering an animal is a profoundly rewarding experience that benefits both the animals and foster families. For the animals, fostering provides a safe, loving environment where they can heal from surgery, recover from illness, or simply escape the stress of shelter life. It also offers socialization opportunities, which will help them become more adoptable.
For foster families, the experience brings companionship and the joy of making a tangible difference in an animal’s life. By opening your home to a foster pet, you’re playing a crucial role in their journey to finding a forever home, all while enjoying the unique and heartwarming experience of caring for a furry friend in need.
How Our Foster Program Works
To get started with our foster program, you’ll need to fill out our foster application. Once that’s done, our staff will collaborate with you to identify the type of foster pet that best fits your lifestyle and can benefit from your unique care.
The duration of our foster program varies, typically ranging from 3 days to 6 months. However, medical fosters requiring extra care and healing may need longer stays.
Regarding supplies, our staff will ensure you have everything you need when you take your foster pet home. For longer-term fosters (more than 3-5 days), the foster parent generally provides their own pet food.
We don’t have a specific type of animal that needs fostering. We have a variety of cats and dogs, both young and old, healthy or recovering, independent or social, all in need of some time outside the shelter. Just ask!
of a Foster Parent
The main job of a foster parent is to provide food and shelter, and in the case of medical fosters, administer medicine and support rehabilitation as instructed by the vet. However, a great foster parent can offer even more by incorporating training, exercise, mental stimulation, new experiences, and adoption support into their care.
Here are 5 ways to enrich your foster pet’s life:
- Training: Help them learn basic commands and good behaviors.
- Exercise: Ensure they get plenty of physical activity, whether it’s walks, playtime, or hikes.
- Mental Stimulation: Engage them with puzzle toys, games, or training exercises.
- New Experiences: Expose them to different environments and situations, such as visits to parks, hikes, or pet-friendly venues.
- Adoption Support: Promote their adoption by introducing them to potential adopters, go to adoption events, take photos and post them on social media, take your dog to a vineyard with an “adopt me” vest, or simply share your foster pet’s story with friends and family.
Even simple activities, like reading a book with a cat on your lap, can make a big difference in your foster pet’s well-being.
Provided by the Nelson SPCA
When you foster a pet through the Nelson County SPCA, we’ll make sure you go home with what you need. In general, that includes 3-5 days’ worth of food and any special toys. We can even provide you with some basic items like a dog bed or litter box. Long-term fosters (longer than 3-5 days) provide their own food, treats, litter, etc.
For medical fosters, we provide you with any medicines as well as instructions from the vet.
How to Become a Foster Parent
To get started with our foster program, simply fill out our foster application. Afterward, our staff will work with you to find the foster pet that best matches your situation and can benefit from your care.
Requirements:
- Must be able to provide a safe, stable, and loving environment.
- Must be able to transport foster animals to and from the shelter.
- Must be 18 years or older.
Common Fostering Questions
Fostering animals is a rewarding experience that makes a significant difference in their lives. To help you understand the process and what to expect, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most common questions potential foster parents have.
Thank You for Your Interest in Becoming a Foster Parent!
By becoming a foster parent, you provide a nurturing sanctuary to dogs and cats who may need a little extra attention, rehabilitation, or simply a temporary respite from the shelter. Your compassionate commitment plays a vital role in their journey towards adoption, offering them the stability and care they need during this transitional period. We sincerely appreciate your thoughtful consideration in joining our foster program.