Cat and Dog Fostering FAQ

Are you thinking about fostering a dog, cat, or other pet?

Here are some pet fostering FAQs to help you begin this lifesaving process.

What does it mean to foster a pet?

When you foster a pet, you provide a temporary home for an animal prior to adoption. Fostering animals is a wonderful and personal way to contribute to saving homeless pets. Dogs and cats are the most common pets needing foster homes.

Why do animals need foster care?

There are several possible reasons:

Foster care can help save an animal’s life when a shelter is full, and it frees up space for more animals to be saved.
Some animals don’t do well in a shelter environment because they are frightened or need a little extra care.
Newborn animals who need to be nursed or bottle-fed usually need foster care.
Some animals need time and a calm environment to recover from an illness or injury before adoption.

Whatever the reason, these animals need some extra love and care before they can be adopted. Providing foster care for a few days, weeks, or months can be a lifesaving gift for pets in need.

Would I be a good pet foster caregiver?

If you want to do something to help the animals, fostering can be a flexible, fun, and rewarding volunteer job. Here’s why:

It’s more flexible than volunteer jobs that require you to show up at a specific time for a certain number of hours.
It’s a great way to enjoy a pet if you are not in a position to make that lifetime commitment right now. For example, fostering can be an excellent option for college students or military families.
Would you like to add a dog or cat to your household, but you’re not sure? Fostering can be a great way to find out.

Taking animals into your home, loving them, and then letting them go requires a special kind of person. Your role as a foster caregiver is to prepare the animal for adoption into a loving home.

How much time will fostering take?

The specific needs of the animal will determine how much time is involved. Newborn orphaned puppies and kittens, for instance, must be fed every few hours. A frightened animal who needs socialization or training will also require some extra time. You can discuss your availability with Happy Tails to determine what kinds of animals you’ll be best suited to foster.

What skills are needed to foster pets?

It’s best to have some knowledge about companion animal behavior and health. Many groups will provide training and ongoing guidance for you.

Some of the animals most in need of foster care are those who require a little extra help or some training. Shy cats often need time to learn to trust and the quiet of a home environment. Dogs often beneﬁt from learning basic cues, which can be a big help in preparing them for a new home.

Plus, just by getting to know the animal, you’ll help the shelter or rescue group learn more about their personality prior to adoption.

What else is required?

Each animal rescue organization will have its own policies, and specific requirements will vary depending on the animal you are fostering. For example, some animals will need fenced yards, medications, or isolation from your personal pets.

What about food and medical care?

Many groups provide foster volunteers with all the necessary food and medication. Most foster programs will have you sign a contract that explains what they will cover by way of food and medical care, and they might request that you use a specific veterinary clinic for treatment of your foster animal.

What about my own pets?

You’ll want to consider how the animals in your household will adjust to having a foster pet. Some animals do very well with a temporary friend and can help socialize the foster animal. Other pets have a harder time with new animals being added to or leaving the family. You’re the best judge of your pet’s personality.

For the safety of your pets and the foster animal, it’s important to keep your pets up to date on vaccinations. In many cases, the foster pet will need to be isolated from your own pets, either temporarily or throughout the foster period. Talk with the group you’re working with to determine what’s best in each situation.

Will I have to ﬁnd a home for the foster animal myself?

Most groups will take full responsibility for ﬁnding your foster pet a new home, though you can help by telling friends, family, and co-workers about the pet. You’ll want to discuss with the group how adoption will be handled.

What about when it's time to say goodbye?

Giving up an animal you’ve fostered, even to a wonderful new home, can be difﬁcult emotionally. Some people like to be there when the pet goes home with the new family. Seeing your foster animal ride off into the sunset will help you remember that they've found a lovely new home.

A lot of foster families get photos and updates of their former foster pets enjoying their new homes. Knowing you were part of saving a life and helping the animal ﬁnd a loving home is tremendously rewarding.

Sometimes a foster home turns into a permanent home for the animal — often referred to as a "foster fail" or "foster win." That's why animal rescue organizations are always on the lookout for new foster homes!

But is it fair to the foster animals?

Some people are reluctant to foster animals because they are concerned that it is unfair to take in a dog or cat, establish a bond, and then allow the animal to be adopted out into another home. Isn’t that a second abandonment?

Not at all! Being in a foster home can be a lifesaving bridge for a pet who needs a little more time and care. It gives the animal a chance to get used to life in a house and an opportunity to learn that people can be kind, food is available, and there is a secure place to sleep.

Foster care can help prepare a pet for a new life. There’s no shortage of animals who need this preparation time before being matched with loving families of their own.

How do I give pet fostering a try?

When you are ready, contact your local animal shelter or rescue group and talk to them about it. There might be some training involved and some papers to sign, but you should be able to go home soon with a new foster animal.

Foster volunteers make an enormous difference in the number of animals killed each year just because they don't have a place to call home. It is important, valuable work that saves lives.

Are there other ways I can help?

If you're not able to foster a pet right now, many groups can use volunteer help at adoption events, transporting animals to and from the vet, returning phone calls, or doing ofﬁce work. They might need someone to photograph pets and promote them online and through the local media.

You also could support a foster pet program by raising funds for medical care, food, and supplies. Contact Happy Tails and ask how you can help.

Apply to Foster