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Fostering is a very rewarding experience.
Foster homes provide us
with the valuable option of temporary homes to care for our animals
in need. You will bridge the gap and offer the crucial extra time
and space needed to be able to prepare a shelter animal to be
adopted into a forever home.
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What is Fostering?
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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
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.
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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.
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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
initially 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. Coastal Humane Society can provide any special supply needs or
instructions that your foster animal requires.
Make sure you have our telephone number handy (725-5051) and call us should you need any advice.
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What are the responsibilities?
- Feed, socialize, medicate, groom
or 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 may 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 joy
but they are also capable of wreaking havoc when left unattended with fragile items in the home.
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