Foster care for homeless pets in the United States can help reduce the number of animals in shelters and the number of pets euthanized each year and give them the chance for a forever home.
Statistics regarding the numbers of pets entering shelters each year and dogs and cats from shelters facing euthanasia each year are staggering. The Humane Society of the United States estimates 6-8 million dogs and cats enter shelters each year and 3-4 million dogs and cats are euthanized by shelters each year. That averages over 10,000 cats and dogs put down every day in the U.S. alone.
As pet lovers we often wonder ‘what can we do to help reduce these numbers and save pets in need?’ Aside from pet adoption many animal lovers are not aware of other alternatives to help and care for homeless pets. And we know that every family wouldn’t be able to adopt enough pets from shelters to fix these problems. Foster care for homeless pets is becoming more popular and gaining public recognition as a viable option for animal lovers to make a difference in the lives of the many homeless pets across the nation.
Many humane societies throughout the country partner with or run their own foster care programs to allow volunteers to foster homeless pets. Humane societies look to put dogs into foster care most commonly, especially after they have spent several weeks or months at the shelter without being adopted. Medium to large-sized, adolescent, untrained dogs are prime candidates for foster homes. Fostering allows sheltered animals reprieve from the shelter environment and a chance to adapt to home life, while freeing up space in the shelter for incoming lost or homeless pets.
When volunteers bring shelter animals into their homes for fostering, it gives the animals a chance to recover from the stress of being kenneled while also giving the foster volunteer the opportunity to work on behavioral issues, teach basic training and give the pet love and attention they have been missing.
General responsibilities of foster volunteers include:
- Daily care – feeding, grooming, walking
- Basic training – sit, stay and recall commands, house training, walking on a leash
- Behavior modification – correct bad habits such as jumping, barking or chewing
- Socialization – determine if the pet is well socialized or needs to be introduced to other humans/pets
- Temperament – evaluate the animal’s temper; is he suitable for a family with children or single woman?
- Medical care – regular veterinary evaluations, medication administration
- Playtime – lots of positive attention, interaction and play time
How to become a foster volunteer:
- Contact animal welfare agencies listed in your local area and ask about details of foster programs – including the responsibilities, supplied materials, expenses and average stays (generally 2-3 months).
- Fill out an application and be ready to explain your motivation for volunteering.
- Be prepared for a home inspection, request for personal and veterinary references, and to follow certain rules – such as keeping all cats (yours and fosters) inside at all times and refrain from declawing them.
Once a foster parent has trained, evaluated, socialized and/or restored the pet’s health the search for a permanent home begins. Foster volunteers can hang posters at the local shelter, pet supply stores or attend adoption events or even put the animal’s ad in the paper for a forever home. Folks interested in adopting the pet will be able to come visit and meet him in a home setting and see how he interacts with individuals at home, rather than in the shelter where his personality may not shine. Generally all adoptions will take place through the shelter. Once the foster volunteer has located a suitable adoptive family the shelter will handle the adoption process with any necessary procedures, fees or applications.
Given a chance to become a foster pet can mean the difference between life and death for many homeless animals in the United States. Getting a second chance may be just what these underprivileged pets need to live a healthy, long and happy life. If you are interested in becoming a foster volunteer contact your local humane society, animal shelter or rescue program.
