Fostering Q&A

A: A pet foster parent provides a safe and loving environment for friendly puppies and dogs until they are adopted. In addition to affection, the foster parent provides basic care for the animals such as food, water, and shelter. When fostering a dog, the pet foster parent may teach him basic house manners. The pet foster parent may have to transport their foster animal to adoption events or have potential adopters visit the foster animal in their home. In the event that the foster animal needs veterinary care, or becomes ill or injured, the foster parent may be required to transport the animal to a designated veterinary hospital.

Q: Why are pet foster parents needed?

A: We can only rescue as many animals as we have room and staffing for. Local animal shelters euthanize dozens of healthy and friendly animals each day to make space for the new ones coming in due to limited holding space. Local animal rescue groups have to turn away dozens of adoptable animals each week because they lack foster parents. Not only do foster parents maximize the number of animals rescued, they also help to care for animals that would be difficult to care for in a shelter or kennel environment: puppies with immune systems not strong enough to fight germs, orphaned puppies, animals recovering from major surgery, or dogs needing one-on-one behavior rehabilitation or a break from the shelter. And ALL animals in foster homes always find permanent adoptive homes.

Q: Who should foster a pet?

A: Someone who loves pets and has some room to welcome them while they wait for an adoptive home.

Q: How long is a foster period?

A: The length of fostering can vary from a few days to several months.

Q: What does it cost to foster a pet?

A: All veterinary care is paid by the fostering organization. You provide:

Love and affection

Socialization
A real home environment
Attention and exercise
Basic Obedience Training

Q: Can I adopt the animal I foster?

A: Yes. Foster parents who wish to adopt the animal they foster go through the same screening process as adoption applicants.

Q: I'm afraid I'll get too attached to the dog to give him/her up. Does that happen a lot?

A: We hope you enjoy your experience with each of your foster dogs. The experience and guidance you provide to each of your foster dogs gives them a greater chance to succeed in their new home or even better, to improve the life of someone with a disability. Many of our fosters do end up adopting at least one of their foster puppies. While it may be difficult to give up a foster dog, never lose sight of the fact that there is another dog waiting in the wings for your all-important training and guidance. Each dog you foster is one more dog that is given another chance at life. When you realize that, it becomes a little easier to return the dog to ALAAT to continue its life journey to its forever home.

Giving up your foster dog is a happy/sad day. While you may have fallen in love with your foster dog, knowing that the dog is going to a loving forever home will bring you a lot of joy and satisfaction, which outweighs the sadness at seeing them leave. You know you've done a good thing! Being a foster home is one of the most courageous, generous things you can do!

A Litter at a Time Rescue, Inc.

ALAAT of love, hugs and kisses for animals in need