Fostering Cats and Dogs
Before You Foster
iStockphoto
Richard and Raye Scott
Before You Foster-Ask Yourself these Questions!
Click here to download this document in MS word
Are you able to separate the foster animals from your own?
Foster animals should be isolated from your own companion animals. A separate room or enclosed area with NO carpet will work best.
Are you aware that there is a great deal of clean-up and even possible damage to your home when you take a foster animal home?
Foster animals have ruined drapes, carpeting, clothing, and other valuable items. Preparing your home and the area the animals will stay in can prevent most accidents, but not all of them!
Are you able to monitor the health of the foster animals?
You will need to pay attention to signs of illness or worsening of symptoms and call the SPCA if you are concerned. Foster home training will cover what to look for, and the SPCA staff will help you decide if you should bring the animals in for treatment.
Can you get to us quickly in case of an emergency?
Only the medical staff at the SPCA will treat your foster animals free of charge. If the animals you are fostering need medical attention, you will need to make an appointment with our staff veterinarian and transport the animal to the SPCA for care.
Are you emotionally prepared to return the animal to the SPCA after the foster period is up?
It can be very difficult to let go once you have become emotionally attached to the animals! Be prepared for tears and heartache when the day comes that you must bring your first foster animals back to the SPCA. You will be giving love and attention to the animals everyday and know that they are much more likely to find a loving, permanent home because of YOUR care!
Can you place your trust in the SPCA staff to decide what is the best for the animal?
Sometimes adoption is not an option even after the animal has been fostered. Knowing that an animal you have fostered may need to be euthanized can be very hard to deal with.
Do you feel comfortable explaining to friends that these animals are not yours to adopt out and that they must go through the regular adoption process at the SPCA?
If you are interested in helping to find homes for your foster animals, refer your friends and family to the SPCA shelter staff to complete an adoption application.
Qualifications
To be a successful foster parent, you will need a compassionate nature, the cooperation of your family or roommates, flexibility, and some knowledge of animal behavior. You also must understand that there is a possibility that the foster animal may or may not be adopted when returned to the animal care center.
The length of time a foster animal may stay in your home varies with the animal's situation. The average stay is three weeks.
Qualifications
The director of operations, foster coordinator and volunteer manager must approve all foster homes.
Complete orientation and TLC training and two hours of TLC and be
an SPCA volunteer for 30 days.
Complete a Foster Application.
Attend Foster Training.
The SPCA conducts a home visit prior to receiving the first foster animal.
All animals chosen for foster must be approved by foster coordinator.
You must not foster for any other organization other than the SPCA of Texas.
Our foster animals must be housed in a stress-free environment, preferably in a climate-controlled area.
Foster Policies and Procedures
A foster volunteer will identify the type of animal they would like to foster, i.e., puppies, large or small dogs, cats, etc. The foster coordinator will make the final decision about which animals are to be placed in foster.
The ACC manager will contact you when an animal is in need of fostering. If you are able to foster that animal, the animal will be ready for pickup along with necessary supplies at the Animal Care Center. The animal must be picked up within 24 hours.
Animals placed in foster will not have known life-threatening illnesses. In most cases, they will be in foster for no longer than three weeks.
A veterinarian must examine foster animals after one week. Please contact the Clinic, inform them you are a foster, and set up an appointment. If the animal is healthy, the veterinarian will release it. The animal will then be returned to the Animal Care Center.
If there is an emergency, please contact the clinic or bring the animal to the animal care center. If the foster chooses to go to a personal vet instead of returning the animal to the animal center, the SPCA of Texas will not be responsible for any monetary reimbursement.
All foster animals must be returned to the Animal Care Center.
Every effort will be made to adopt all foster animals. However, if the animal begins to exhibit any aggressive behavior, the animal may be euthanized.
Fosters are required to take a mandatory one-month (or longer if needed) break from fostering after one year. All foster volunteers can take a short break at any time, when needed. Please inform foster coordinator or Animal Care Center manager.
If fostering for the SPCA of Texas, a volunteer cannot foster for other organizations.
No foster volunteer can foster more than three SPCA animals at any given time.
There should not be more than five animals in a foster home, including pets and fosters. The foster coordinator will determine any exceptions. All private pets must be up to date on all shot records before a volunteer can foster.
Foster animals are the sole property of the SPCA of Texas and will not be adopted or given to anyone without the permission of the SPCA of Texas.
If terminated from the Foster Program and in possession of a foster animal, the animal must be returned to the SPCA immediately.
Preparing Your Home
You will need to keep your own companion animals separate from your foster animals. It is always a health risk to expose your animals to other animals, so to be on the safe side, you should keep them separate for the entire foster period.
If you are fostering kittens or puppies, remember that they will play or chew anything they can find! Drapes, electrical cords, lampshades, etc. so be sure to "kitten/puppy-proof" your home.
Supplies You Will Need:
Cardboard Box: You can use the carrier in which you took the animal home. It will provide a familiar smelling, dark, quiet home. A bigger box may be desirable to allow you to see in, as well as to provide plenty of room if you have a mother and a litter of kittens or puppies.
Newspapers: Keep several layers in the bottom of the box. They will come in handy when the foster litter starts to roam around the room and into their litterbox.
Two food bowls: One is for the eat-at-will dry cat food, the other for canned food. You can use TV dinner trays, paper plates, or whatever you have. Any shallow bowl or saucer will do. The larger the litter, the larger the plate should be, so that no one in the litter gets crowded out. Some cats have allergies to plastic, so try to avoid plastic dishes.
Water: Provide access to water at all times. Remember, young animals can drown, so make sure the bowl is very shallow.
Food: Pet supply store food tends to be more nutritious than grocery store brands. Kittens need a mix of dry and canned food specifically formulated for kittens (it's a good idea to wean them onto dry food). We will tell you if an animal you are fostering needs any other special food.
Litter Box and Non-Clumping Litter: Cats will instinctively use a litterbox and mom will begin teaching her kittens how to use it. You should get a shallow litter box or use an old cake pan. Clumping litter can be very messy as it sticks to paws and can cause serious health problems if eaten (which most kittens will do). A cat or kitten can even die if the clumping litter forms a blockage in the intestines, so use only non-clumping type cat litter.
Heating Pad or Hot Water Bottle: Depending on how warm your room is, these extras will ensure that everyone is comfy and cozy. If you use any of these items, be sure that there is space for the animals to move away from the heat in case they are too hot, and always place heating pads on the lowest setting.
Toys: Go crazy if you want! Mice and buzz balls make kittens happy and can be reused as long as animals do not have any contagious diseases. Kittens can amuse themselves with empty rolls of toilet paper. Empty cardboard 12-pack soda boxes are good for a number of different games. Clean tennis balls, old socks stuffed with nylons, caps of liter soda bottles, and paper bags make great toys as well. Young kittens don't respond to catnip, but mom will like it.
Scale: Although not critical to success, a food or postal scale is very helpful for monitoring small kittens' growth, which averages four ounces a week.
Other considerations: Bottle of "Nature's Miracle" for accidents, rope or carpet scratching post, and adoption applications to give to people who are interested in your foster care animals.
When to Bring Foster Animals
Sometimes it is difficult for the SPCA staff to predict the exact date when foster animals will be ready for adoption. Several factors contribute to this decision:
- Did the puppies/kittens gain enough weight?
- Are the animals healthy and recovered fully from the illness?
- Are they successfully weaned from their mother?
- Have then been successfully socialized?
- Is there room at the shelter?
Because of these variables, the foster animals may not be ready for adoption by the date on your foster home contract. Please call the foster home coordinator to make an appointment to have your animals returned. If your foster animals checked out "OK," you will leave the animals at the SPCA. If not, you will take the animals back home for a specified number of days and have them rechecked. Your flexibility is most appreciated!
Next in
How You Can Help Pets: Fostering Cats and Dogs:
Kitten Socialization and Development
