Animals Need Foster Care Too!

It is a big responsibility and your rewards will be great!

We frequently read or hear on the news of animals being rescued from someone or some place where the animals have just been left to fend for themselves. Unfortunately too often that call comes too late for many of the animals to be saved. They have been left in pens that are too small for them to move, no food, and no water, walking in their own feces. You have all seen the pictures of great big dogs walking around and their bones almost poking through what skin they have left. People don’t think things through sometimes, and think that raising dogs, cats or any animal for resell is easy and inexpensive. They are dead wrong and sometime death of the animals is the outcome.

Organizations such as ASPCA and the foster care programs in the immediate area do what they can to get the animals help and some are even available for homes within just days. However, sometimes, depending on the number of animals rescued and the type of animals the organizations like the local humane society chapters or the county or city shelters, may not have enough room to keep all the rescued pets. Another issue is the health and socialization of the foster animal.

Becoming a foster parent for a foster animal could mean the difference between life and death for some animals when they are unadoptable right away. When animals are too sick, too young or don’t behave well around other animals and people, they are sometimes placed in foster homes. This gives the animals or pets time to heal, grow up some more and learn to interact with people and other animals. Foster care pets or animals once they are adoptable can be kept by the foster family or the foster care parents can run ads through the shelters like the human society or maybe even pet stores that run adoptions, for a permanent home.

To become a volunteer foster care parent for animals, you must be able to provide a clean and safe environment, food, vaccinations, and anything the veterinarian from the shelter has required for the animal to become healthy. This is the foster homes responsibility not only to provide for these items, but to cover the costs as most shelters don’t have the funds or resources to provide an unlimited supply.

If you are interested in being a foster parent for animals in your area, you can check with the humane society or a local chapter they are usually able to provide foster orientation and training. You might also check with local veterinarians and animal shelters through the county. Remember however, just like with children, animals need attention, love, food and care for survival. Don’t just jump in without talking it over with your spouse, significant other or the rest of the household. It is a big responsibility and your rewards will be great! The unconditional love of an animal.