Become a Pet Foster Parent

Fostering a needy pet is a richly rewarding experience. It's also an emotional, often difficult experience that isn't for everyone - but for those that can do it, it's an experience that won't soon be forgotten. Humane societies and pet rescue organizations are often in desperate need of more foster homes.

What Kind of Pets Need a Foster Home?

Some pets are ill and need a quiet place to recover, and additional care. For example, a dog with a broken leg may need time for its leg to mend and to regain strength before he's okay to be put up for adoption to his forever home. Taking care of sick pets is probably most suitable for calm homes without young children or frisky pets. Foster homes with recovering pets should be comfortable caring for sick pets, such as changing dressings or administering medications.

This might sound strange, but sometimes pets aren't necessarily ill, but they need a place to recover their appearance. A cat that's been shaved for surgery and has a big angry scar might scare away potential adopters. Once her fur has regrown a little bit, she'll look "cuter" and hopefully she'll be able to get a home more easily.

There are also young pets or nursing moms that need a foster home until the youngsters are big enough to be adopted into new homes, and the mom is healthy and strong enough to also look for a new home. Fostering litters of puppies and kitties that don't have a mom is very demanding, as young animals need to be fed regularly, usually requiring you to get up several times a night to ensure they're properly fed.

Foster homes are also needed for pets that have been neglected in the past, or are timid and need socializing for whatever reason. Pets that haven't had a lot of contact with people (or only negative contact with people) sometimes don't trust people and need to learn that being with people can be a good thing. A well-socialized and friendly pet is much more appealing to the public when they're looking to adopt a new companion.

Sometimes a pet just needs time to adjust. Some pets that come into shelters and rescue organizations are confused or stressed in the new environment. A foster home gives them the time to relax and enjoy themselves again before they're put up for adoption.

Without the additional time and care provided by temporary foster families, many of the animals would be euthanized.

Why Be a Pet Foster Parent?

In a nutshell, fostering a pet gives them a chance to find a happy, permanent home when they otherwise might not have had that chance. Pets that are sick, too young, stressed out, or unsocialized aren't the best candidates for adoption. Fostering these pets to let them recover or grow physically or mentally makes them much more attractive pets to families looking to adopt.

Becoming a foster parent is easy!

Noah’s Ark Society provides all food and supplies while the pet is in your care, unless you would like to do so yourself. All supplies you purchase for fostering are often times tax-deductible (check with your tax advisor).

Noah’s Ark Society is responsible for all veterinary care of the animal while you are fostering.

Fostering is a challenging but very rewarding experience. Foster homes provide shelters with the valuable option of temporary homes to care for their animals.  FOSTERING saves lives!!


TO FOSTER, PLEASE CONTACT NOAH'S ARK SOCIETY:

Lori Elam
615-438-7184
noahsarksociety@gmail.com
www.noahsarksociety.org