National Foster Care Month is May! Many of our furry patients are former fosters, or foster fails. Fostering fills a crucial gap for pets that need training, growth, healing,and/or socialization before they can be put up for adoption. You may want to consider fostering if you’re an animal lover. This can be a very rewarding and enriching experience! Of course, this isn’t going to be the right choice for everyone. A vet lists some things to consider before moving forward below.
Space
You don’t necessarily need a large home to foster animals. However, you do need to have enough space for your furry wards. If you have other pets and/or children, you’ll need to be able to keep your foster charges in separate rooms or areas.
Budget
Finances are also something to keep in mind. Some shelters will provide some or all food and supplies, but not all of them have the resources for that. You may have some out-of-pocket costs for things like bedding, food, toys, bedding, treats, and veterinary care. These can add up quickly, so be sure you are ready for it.
Experience
There’s no need for a formal education to foster pets. However, it’s best to have experience with animals, and a good basic understanding about their care and behavior needs. You’ll likely go through some training and onboarding. A home visit may also be needed. Talk to your local shelters to find out more.
Letting Go
It can be very rewarding to see a pet you’ve taken care of going off to their forever home, but it can also be difficult. Understandably, many people find it difficult to say goodbye to pets they have grown fond of. Hence the term ‘foster fails.’ Foster fails are what happens when people get so attached to their fosters that they end up adopting them themselves. This isn’t a bad thing, since the entire point is to find that pet a loving home. If you’re considering adopting instead of fostering, check out our article on Reasons to Adopt a Shelter Cat. However, if you think this would be too hard for you, maybe try volunteering instead.
Time Constraints
There’s usually no set date when a pet will be brought to the shelter for adoption or ready to be adopted. With young animals, this may happen when they’re old enough to stay in the shelter overnight. In other cases, it may be dependent on growth, healing, socialization, or even available space. Consider your flexibility, schedule, and upcoming plans.
As your animal clinic in Fox Lake, IL, we’re dedicated to offering great care. Call us today! Whether you’re fostering or have adopted a pet, our veterinary diagnostics service can help ensure your furry friend stays healthy and happy throughout their time with you.