What is foster care?
Foster care is a way to help animals currently residing at the
shelter by caring for them temporarily in your own home until
they are ready to come back to the shelter to be placed up for
adoption.
Why is foster care needed?
When an animal arrives at the WCHS that is not quite ready for
adoption, we rely heavily on our foster care volunteers. This
special group of individuals opens not only their hearts, but
also their homes, providing animals with the care and attention
they need. Our ability to place animals in foster care is
essential to our goal of providing a second chance to as many
companion animals as possible.
What types of animals benefit from
foster care?
Here are a few reasons animals require fostering:
Animals recovering from an illness or injury in need of a calm,
quite place to recuperate
Animals in need of socialization or a little extra attention
Animals who are pregnant or nursing
Animals who are too young to be adopted
Animals needing to put on weight
Animals that are depressed and need a change of scenery
Animals that are stressed by the recent change in their lives
and in need of extra attention to adapt
No
matter the reason, all the animals in foster care are in need of
love and affection to help them get to a point where they can be
adopted by their forever family. Foster families make a world of
difference to shelter animals every day.
What is involved in fostering?
Foster parents provide a temporary home for animals that need a
little extra TLC. Fostering involves some time, lots of love,
and loads of cuddling and petting! You can expect to spend a
minimum of at least 1-2 hours daily with your foster, depending
on their special needs. Some animals will need 4 or more hours
of your time every day. Some will need timely administration of
medication for the treatment of illness or special care during
recovery. All foster animals require a separate quarantine area
to reduce the spread disease and where the animal can find
solace.
What does fostering cost?
We provide our foster families with food, bowls, blankets, beds,
crates, litter pans, litter, and any other needs the animal may
have during their stay. If the animal is in need of medication,
we provide that as well, so all fostering costs you is some of
your love and time!
Can we foster if we own pets?
Yes, you can foster if you have companion animals of your own
that are willing to share their home with an unfamiliar animal.
Foster animals will need to remain in a separate quarantine area
to reduce the spread of disease. Also, please make sure your
dogs or cats are current with their immunizations to help keep
everyone healthy.
We’re ready to foster! What’s next?
If you think you have the room in your heart and your home to
become a foster parent, complete an application today! All
foster families must first submit an application and then meet
in person with our Volunteer Coordinator for an individual
assessment and orientation. Next, a home visit by our Volunteer
Coordinator is required. After that process is complete, and you
are approved, you can begin fostering!
What happens during the meeting with
the Volunteer Coordinator?
The Volunteer Coordinator thoroughly explains the foster care
program and reviews the expectations of foster parents. They ask
questions to ensure the proper matches based on what would best
suit your experience, environment, and circumstances. They also
answer any questions you may have.
What happens during the home visit?
The home visit allows the Volunteer Coordinator to assess the
space you plan to house your foster animal during their stay, as
well as offer recommendations and advice. If you own companion
animals, they will discuss with you ways to help keep them
separate and healthy.
Can we pick the specific animals we
foster?
During the initial meeting, you and the Volunteer Coordinator
will discuss the type of animal you feel would be your best
match. We don’t allow foster families to choose the specific
animals they will foster from our list of those who need
fostering; however, after our assessment and home visit, we
match them accordingly. Just as we take a great deal of
consideration when placing our animals with their adoptive
families, we also take great care when placing them with their
foster families. Foster volunteers always have the option to
turn down a foster care opportunity if they do not feel
comfortable with the match.
How long would our foster stay with us?
The length of stay in foster care can vary from a week or two,
up to two months or longer, depending on the animal's specific
needs. The average length of stay is about two to three weeks.
How often can we foster?
How often you foster is largely dependent on your desire and
availability. We are always in need of foster families,
especially for kittens. Whether you can foster on a consistent
basis, or a few times a year, it’s a huge help for our special
needs animals and shelter staff.
How should we prepare our home for the
arrival of our foster?
Foster animals require a separate quarantine area to call their
own during their stay. It should be a quiet, comfortable, safe
place for them to reside with easy access to their food, water,
and if they are a cat, their litter box. We encourage pet-safe
toys to keep them active and stimulated. All hazardous plants
and materials should be out of reach, including choking hazards,
toxic plants/food, medications, electrical cords, etc.
What do we do if we have questions
about caring for the animal during its stay?
If a foster parent has any questions, they may call Tina Duris,
Operations Manager, at 262-677-4388.
Won’t it be hard to give our foster
animal back to the WCHS after its stay?
Becoming a foster parent or family is a great way to make a
difference in an animal’s life. It gives you the opportunity to
help animals who otherwise may not have a chance. Anyone who has
fostered will tell you that fostering an animal until he or she
is ready for adoption is an extremely unique and rewarding
experience. They will share with you that, while each foster
animal they care for will hold a special place in their heart,
they know there is another one out there who desperately needs
their love and care. Part of the joy of fostering is knowing
that the animal you help rehabilitate, socialize, etc., will get
the chance they deserve for a loving forever family because of
you. Both will benefit from your unselfish efforts.
Click
here to read a testimonial from one of our wonderful foster
care volunteers.
How do I apply to foster an animal?
You can print out our Foster Application
here and send it to us, or stop in and fill one out.
How do we find out more information on
fostering?
For more information on becoming a foster care volunteer, please
contact our Volunteer Coordinator at (262) 677-0731 or
volunteer@washingtoncountyhumane.org.
Watch a
short video about Foster Care made by Animal Advocate Television
during their visit to the WCHS. The Foster Care segment
begins 6 minutes and 40 seconds (6:40) in. You can use the
slider bar to begin at that point if you wish.
