Fostering a pet

In the UK many animal rescue and welfare charities offer animals like dogs and cats on a temporary basis as foster pets as well as for adoption into a permanent home.

The rules tend to be much the same for adoption as for fostering in that:-

• A home visit will be made by a member of the rescue charity to inspect your home and decide if it is a fit place for an animal to be homed. Despite the fact that there are far too many unwanted pets needing homes they are, quite rightly, not re-homed to just any old place.
• You will need to show that you are capable of offering a fostered animal an appropriate level of care and love and that your surroundings are conducive to a pet.

• Next you will need to make sure that you are fully aware of the terms and conditions of your period of fostering. Some pets may only need a home for a short while, perhaps whilst the owner is ill, whilst others may need to be fostered with you on a long term basis.
• Find out as much history as you can about your prospective foster pet to ensure that you are well suited.
• Make sure that you are fully aware of any cost implications. At least one of our local dog rescue charities contributes towards the cost of a foster pet. In one case all the vets bills are paid for, whilst the other charity pays for everything including food for the dog. This may sound expensive for the charity but it is cheaper, and better for the animal, than keeping it in kennels long term.

Personal experience of fostering a dog

When we took a foster dog into our home the initial cost of spaying, after her first season, was paid for by the charity but that was all. All other expenses have been down to us. However, we never really asked for anything else when we fostered Jess (shown in the images above) and I suppose, as with most things in this life, it is up for negotiation.

One thing though that I would like to mention is prepare yourself for separation and always keep in mind that your foster pet is a temporary resident. 14-years down the road our foster dog was still with us and going nowhere. If I could have been sure that a good home was found for her, a while ago, I would have willingly parted company with her but husband would not.

He within a short space of time became so attached to Jess that she was soon a permanent fixture.

Fostering an animal, especially if you are not able to re-home on a permanent basis, is very worthwhile and rewarding. Usually both the family and the animal benefit from the experience.

Remember though that some animals, in desperate need of a new home, may have many problems.

Our Jess had been very ill-treated despite her young years. Consequently she was a very naughty dog for a few months and really hard work. Suffice to say she that soon changed but those first few months were a testing time for all.

Contact a local charity to discuss the options for fostering an animal. It may be that you will be accepted as a regular foster owner.

There is also the option to foster an animal simply on a monetary basis. Some animal sanctuaries advertise for long distance foster carers who will supply the money needed for the animal to survive. With regular small payments it is possible to contribute to an animal's well-being.

Foster certificates are on sale online and make great gifts for Christmas and Birthdays.

(Jessie died September 12, 2015. She had been going blind for some time but still had a good quality of life. Other health issues added to old age meant that the kindest option was euthanasia. Her legs went and so the vet visited our home to put Jess to sleep. It was a calm and peaceful end for one of the sweetest dogs I have ever encountered. She was and still is sorely missed.)

https://www.rspca.org.uk/findapet/foster
http://www.pfss.org.uk/