Did you know that May is National Foster Care Month? Many of our cutest patients are former fosters. Foster homes fill a crucial gap for animals that need growth, healing, training, and/or socialization before they can become available for adoption. If you’re an animal lover, you may want to consider fostering. Of course, this isn’t going to be right for everybody. A veterinarian lists some things to consider before moving forward below.
Space
Space is one thing to consider. You don’t have to have a huge home here; you just need enough space for your furry wards. However, if you have children and/or other pets, you may need to keep your foster charges in separate rooms or areas.
Budget
Finances also factor in here. Some shelters will provide some food and supplies, but not all of them have the resources for that. You may have some out-of-pocket costs, for things like food, supplies, bedding, toys, treats, and veterinary care.
Experience
You don’t need a formal education to foster pets. However, it’s best to have experience with animals, and a good basic understanding about their behavior and care needs. You’ll go through some training and onboarding before getting your first furry charges. A home inspection may also be required. Talk to your local shelters to find out more.
Letting Go
It can be very rewarding to see a pet you’ve cared for going off to their forever home. However, it can also be bittersweet. Many people find it difficult to say goodbye to pets they have grown attached to. Hence the term ‘foster fails.’ Foster fails are what happens when people get so attached to their fosters that they just adopt them themselves. This isn’t a bad thing, as of course the entire point is to find that pet a loving home. However, that goodbye day is important to consider. If you think this would be too hard for you, maybe try volunteering instead.
Time Constraints
There’s usually no set date for a pet to be ready for adoption. With young animals, this may happen when they’re old enough to stay in the shelter overnight without round-the-clock care. It could also be dependent on healing, growth, socialization, or even available space. Consider your schedule, flexibility, and upcoming plans.
As your animal clinic, we’re dedicated to offering great veterinary care. Call us today!