Foster
Help us save them.Sometimes the local shelter is full. Sometimes a cat has medical needs. Sometimes a pet needs socialization. This is where fosters make all the difference.
Fosters provide a safe and loving home where cats and dogs can be cared for until they are able to be placed for adoption. Without foster homes, many of these pets might not get the medical treatment they need. Even worse, some may face euthanasia if the shelter becomes overcrowded.
Fostering is a labor of love. You take these pets into your home and treat them as your own until they are ready to be adopted out. You provide them a safe place where they can relax and learn to trust again.
When you become a foster, you have a say in which dog or cat you will work with based upon your unique situation. For example, do you have space available to quarantine a sick dog or cat? Do you stay at home and have time to bottle feed kittens or puppies every three hours? Do you have a special place in your heart for the older pets who aren’t very active, or do you enjoy the crazy kitten or puppy shenanigans of the 8-12 week old crowd? Are you able to foster pets needing long term care or do you prefer to only help with short term placements? Either is fine and both are needed.
If you love pets and have room for 4 more paws in your home, then consider being a foster. The need is great, and the rewards are huge.
What to expect as a Foster Parent
Providing foster care will certainly be a rewarding experience as you are enabling the animal to go on to the greatest adventure – a place where he/she will be cherished and loved until a great forever home is found.
Requirements
- To be a successful foster parent, you will need a compassionate nature, flexibility, willingness to follow instructions, and interest and/or knowledge of animal behavior.
- Frequent email updates are required, and responsiveness to our team is critical to the success of our foster program. Reliable computer, internet service, and transportation are needed.
- A fenced yard is preferred, but not necessary for dog foster parents. Cat/kitten fosters are indoor only.
Responsibilities
- Responsible for the daily care of a foster animal, including feeding, exercising, playtime, socialization, grooming, reinforcing basic obedience commands and, of course, providing patience, love, and security.
- Must be willing to work with the pet to help them get ready for adoption. This may include housebreaking, basic training, socialization, etc.
- You may also need to transport the foster animal to scheduled medical appointments and/or adoption events and photoshoots; as well as administer any required medications.
Several Options for Fostering a Homeless Pet
Friends of Rescue Animals (FRAs) operates a cat rescue for cats/kittens from the shelter or local community. In a typical year, we find placement for over 500 cats/kittens, but this is only possible with the help of foster homes.
Foster families provide love and care until they are ready to be adopted at one of our PetSmart locations. FRAs covers the cost of authorized medical care for your foster animals.
At the Garland Animal Shelter, the foster program plays a crucial role in saving the thousands of lives of animals who need extra care and attention each year.
Whether you’re interested in providing a temporary home for kittens, puppies, animals with medical needs, or those requiring behavioral intervention, they have a foster opportunity for you. In addition, they often need very short term fosters for dogs that are scheduled to go on an out of state transport. Even a weekend break for long term dogs is a benefical way to participate in fostering for the Garland Animal Shelter.
Veterinary care is provided by the on-site medical team.
Rowlett Animal Services offers foster or foster to adopt arrangements for any of the animals at their shelter. Animals that have no behavioral or medical concerns are also candidates to be fostered. Even animals that have just come into the shelter are typically available to foster due to space constraints. If you would like to see how an animal behaves in your home prior to adopting, the foster to adopt arangement is ideal.
Ready to foster?
Fill out the form for the appropriate organization.
Friends of Rescue Animals — Cats Only
Garland Animal Shelter & Adoption Center — Dogs or Cats
Richardson Animal Shelter — Dogs or Cats
Rowlett Animal Services — Dogs or Cats
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