Pet foster parents are a special breed. They save thousands of animals from potentially being euthanized at overcrowded municipal shelters. Fostering is literally life-saving work.
But it can be a tough job. Do you have what it takes to foster a pet in your home? Here are some hints you might be ready:
They’re your babies, your world, your life. If they so much as get the sniffles, you’re zooming to the vet ASAP. Why is this important?
Foster pets can be vulnerable. They might come from rough environments…hoarders, the streets, even dogfighting rings. They might seem healthy…then suddenly have coughs, sneezing, vomiting or diarrhea.
It doesn’t always happen. Most foster pets are healthy. But you have to be ready for a sudden vet run, even late nights and weekends, if they get sick.
If you’ll do that for your pets, that’s a great sign you’ll be a vigilant foster parent, too.
Being a pet foster parent can be rugged. You might be:
And more. Fostering a pet is demanding. But it’s also joyful. If you can persevere through the work, you’ll have the reward of watching a homeless pet blossom in your care. There’s no better feeling.
The moment will arrive when the right family comes along to adopt your foster. Your instinct will be to hang on, which is natural: You feel a bond.
But that just means you’ve done your job right. A foster pet needs your genuine love to grow, heal, and thrive. So parting will be bittersweet.
But remember:
If you can say goodbye with love, you’ve given your foster pet a gift. And you’ve also opened up a space in your home for another foster pet, if you’d like. It’s a win-win for everyone.
So if you’re able to start fostering and keep at it…go for it! It’s a job you’ll love.
To find a rescue group in your area, open “Filters” on the WeRescue app. You can enter your ZIP code, then choose “Select Rescue Organizations” to see a list of rescue groups in your area. Rescue groups and shelters are also listed in the profiles of individual pets who are up for adoption.