The Petco Foundation named June National Foster a Pet Month. Foster a Pet Month is a partnership between the Petco Foundation, Skechers, and its charitable collection BOBS from Skechers to “inspire pet lovers to join together to create a lifesaving nation through fostering, adoption, volunteering, and making monetary donations.”
GG’s Foundation is joining its fellow pet lovers in the month-long holiday by sharing the basics of fostering a pet.
1. What is fostering a pet?
Fostering a pet means taking an animal into your home to provide love, patience, and training for a pre-determined amount of time or until the pet finds a loving, responsible home. The experience is gratifying and gives the animal a higher chance of getting adopted into a loving home due to fosters love, training, and socialization.
2. The qualifications needed to foster a pet.
As with any animal, it is essential to be compassionate and patient when fostering a pet. You must have enough space in your home to provide the animal with room to play, interact, and sleep. Flexibility and knowledge of animals and animal behavior are also helpful.
3. Policies and procedures to follow when fostering.
Every adoption agency has its foster protocols to follow. A foster coordinator will generally be assigned to work with you to identify the type of foster pet best suited to your lifestyle. If you have pets, you may need to prove your pets are up to date on all vaccinations. Some adoption agencies will provide you with food and supplies for care as well.
4. You must prepare your home to foster.
Even if you already have pets, a foster dog or cat requires preparation. Since foster dogs and cats come with almost nothing, you may need to provide supplies. Some supplies beneficial to fostering a dog or cat are the following: a baby gate, a pet playpen, a dog or cat bed, training treats, and dog and cat toys. Remember to dog or cat-proof your home as well by moving electrical cords out of reach, clearing small, sharp objects, and keeping all plants out of reach. Some plants are toxic to dogs and cats. You can get a list from the shelter.
5. The risk and rewards of fostering a pet.
As a pet lover, you know the most significant risk with fostering is getting emotionally attached. It can be difficult when the time comes to give up your foster animal; however, there are many rewards as well. The gratification includes making room for other dogs and cats in the shelter, the proud feeling of volunteering, gaining experience in owning a pet, experiencing companionship, and knowing you helped the dog or cat get a loving Furever home.
Now that you know the basics of fostering a pet, get involved in National Foster a Pet Month! Share this post with friends on social media to spread awareness, and don’t forget to call your local animal shelter to ask about their pet fostering programs.