What is Fostering?
What Is A Foster Parent?
A foster parent provides a temporary home for kittens, puppies, dogs, cats, or other animals in need. The length of fostering can vary from a few days to several months depending on the amount of care or behavioral modification that is needed. The devotion and care given during this time allows the animal a second chance to be adopted by a loving home. The rewards of being a foster parent are many. They include offering an animal a second chance and the added benefit of receiving the love and attention right back from the animal you nurture. |
Why Are Foster Parents Needed?
- The number of pregnant animals received at our shelter is sometimes overwhelming. We sometimes find it difficult to find space for all the newborns that come our way. Foster homes provide shelters until kittens are old enough to be adopted.
- Kittens and puppies need a quiet home where they can be nurtured and can thrive away from the stressful environment of a shelter.
- Foster parents provide sick and injured animals with the additional time, medication, and space they need to recover. This may include time to recover from emotional, fear, or stress based situations that the animal may have encountered in the past.
- Kittens and puppies not yet weaned require special attention. Unweaned orphans require a serious commitment since they have special needs such as diet and frequent feeding schedules. One of the greatest
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How Do I Prepare for a Foster Animal?
Younger children should be introduced slowly to determine the compatibility with the new foster animal. It is recommended that an adult supervise all interactions between foster animals and young children. An important thing to prepare your family for is that fostering is temporary. Unless a foster family is fostering to see how a new pet will fit into the family, they must remember that this little kitten or puppy will be leaving the home eventually.
If you have a family pet, it is recommended that you separate the living quarters of your pet and your new foster animal. This separation allows you time to observe your foster animal for any possible health or behavior issues. Additionally, it allows your new foster kitten or puppy to adjust to you and your family before meeting your pet. Time should be set aside to socialize and care for your new foster animal.
Initial supplies should include the appropriate type of food, toys, housing space, newspapers, litter box and litter if needed, and food and water bowls. Make sure to find out from Coastal Humane Society if there are any special supply needs or instructions that your foster animal needs.
Make sure you have our telephone number handy (725-5051) and call us should you need any advice.
What are the responsibilities?
- Feed, socialize, medicate, groom, and train fostered animals according to the guidelines of the foster program.
- Insure the safety of all foster animals under the foster parent's care.
- Isolate foster pets from household pets as necessary for the health and safety of the animals.
- Ensure that the foster parent's own pets are currently vaccinated according to the guidelines of their veterinarian.
- Observe and report any problems to the shelter staff in a timely manner.
- Return animals to Coastal Humane Society at the scheduled time(s).
- Comply with Coastal Humane Society policies and procedures for care.
- Return foster animals to Coastal Humane Society should the foster parent be unable to care for them. Never turn care over to a third party.
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What are the general policies?
- Please make an appointment for picking up and returning animals and call immediately if you will not be able to make the appointment for any reason.
- Call the shelter if a foster animal is sick or injured and follow the shelter's instructions for care, treatment, and/or transportation of the animal.
- Cats and kittens are to be kept indoors only. No outdoor time is allowed even if supervised.
- Immediately inform Coastal Humane Society of any changes in address or phone number.
- If leaving town or unable to care for your foster animal, the animal needs to be returned to Coastal Humane Society. Please call as soon as you know of such a situation so that we can arrange for their continuing care. It is acceptable for a spouse to care for the animal but DO NOT relinquish care to a friend, relative, pet sitter, etc.
- Arrangements for routine and emergency health care need to be made through Coastal Humane Society. If you take a foster animal to a veterinarian without prior authorization from Coastal Humane Society, you will not be reimbursed for expenses.
- Cats, kittens, and puppies must be confined in a carrier while in vehicles. Cats and kittens must also be confined in a carrier while being carried to and from the vehicle; please do not carry them in your arms out-of-doors or let them ride loose in your car! Adult dogs must wear a collar and leash while in vehicles. To prevent the dog from moving around the vehicle, the leash needs to be held by a passenger or the leash can be secured to a door handle, etc.
- Notify Coastal Humane Society immediately if a foster animal gets lost.
- To report problems or ask questions, call the shelter at 207-725-5051 or 207-725-5099.
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Kitten Fostering: Important questions to ask yourself?
- Am I able to separate foster kittens from my own household pets?
Foster kittens should remain isolated from your resident pets. You need to designate a certain room for their care. We do not know what an animal may have been exposed to before coming into the shelter. Some diseases are easily passed from animal to animal.
- Am I emotionally prepared to handle a possible death of one of the kittens?
Although difficult to accept, these creatures are very fragile and not all foster kittens survive. This can be extremely tough for some people who would be better off fostering an adult.
- Will I be able to bring the kitten(s) back at the end of the foster period?
It can be tough to place a kitten up for adoption when you have become so attached. If you must adopt the kitten you may make arrangements with Coastal Humane Society staff. Remember: These kittens are in our legal care. You cannot give them away or sell them to anyone. They must be adopted solely from Coastal Humane Society.
- Can I commit to spending the entire foster period with the kitten(s)?
If something unexpected happens, please contact us immediately so we can place the kitten(s) in a new home.
- Am I fully aware of the clean up involved and even possible damage to my home when I take a kitten for fostering?
Kittens are a job but they are also capable of wreaking havoc when unattended.
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