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Are You Ready to Become a Fosterer?
Foster parent’s guide
If you would like to care for an animal but are not ready to adopt, and your lifestyle and circumstances allow it, you should consider becoming a fosterer. Fostering gives shelter animals the best possible chance of being adopted and is a very rewarding experience for the fosterer.
First things first
Before you start contacting shelters to apply to be a fosterer, you need to think through the implications of this decision carefully. Take a look at FOUR PAWS’ foster parent’s guide to help you decide if fostering is right for you:
Check your situation:
- Are you financially able to foster a pet?
- Do you have enough time for a pet that may need special care for example a disabled or young animal, an ill animal or an animal with behavioural issues?
- Does your landlord allow you to keep pets?
- Does your partner/family agree and support fostering a pet?
- Do you think your other pets will adapt to having another animal around?
- Do you have any plans that may affect your fostering i.e. moving home/jobs, having a baby, going on holiday?
- Are you able to foster an older, disabled, sick, injured or a young animal?
Start small:
- When you start fostering, start with an animal that does not have issues and is best suited for a beginner.
- Develop your foster-skills before you take on difficult cases (for example animals with behavioural or health problems) .
