What is a foster?

A foster home is a temporary living situation for homeless pets while they await placement in a permanent home. Foster families provide shelter, food, water, care and love. The number of animals we save depends entirely on the number of people who open their homes and hearts to foster homeless pets.

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WhO NEEDS A FOSTER?

• Bottle babies (kittens and puppies under 5 weeks of age)

  • Need round the clock care we can't provide at the shelter!

  • Tons of fun, very rewarding to watch them grow up!

• Weaned kittens and puppies

  • Need space to play and learn

  • Need cuddles and socialization

• Moms with litter or still pregnant

  • Needs a quiet place to give birth/raise her litter

  • Young babies need early socialization with people

• Medical fosters

  • Need to heal in a quiet safe environment

  • May require administering drops, ointments, pills, etc.

• Behavior/socialization fosters

  • Need extra TLC to help them get adopted

  • Gain trust/provide stability for an animal that needs it

• Large dogs

  • Need walks/a yard to help them burn energy

  • Many large dogs experience kennel stress which hinders their opportunities for adoption

  • More info about dog = easier to find a home for!

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What are my responsibilities as a foster?

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As a foster you will:

• Provide a safe, clean, caring environment

• Provide and/or use provided food and litter from ARE Animal Rescue

• Monitor any medical and/or behavioral problems

• Transport to/from any necessary medical, adoption or events

• Actively participate in marketing your foster cat(s) or dog(s)

  • Join our Foster Facebook group to coordinate and get support from others in the program​

• Meet with potential adopters; be responsive and courteous towards each potential adopter

• Carefully read all documents & carefully follow all instructions that ARE Animal Rescue provides

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Why do I have to isolate my foster pets for 10-14 days?
While all cats/dogs who come to ARE Animal Rescue receive a routine medical exam for common illnesses and flea preventatives, deworming and other medications or tests necessary, no test is 100% accurate. This isolation period serves to ensure your foster pets are not carrying hidden germs from the shelter or sharing anything with your resident pets. It also gives foster pets and your resident pets a chance to acclimate to each other. A bathroom or spare room works great for this isolation period. 

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How long will I foster?
It depends on the situation and type of pet(s) you are looking to foster and how involved you are in trying to find them a home. We require a minimum commitment of 2-4 weeks for any cat since our feline friends do not handle frequent environment changes well. Puppies and kittens whose fosters submit photos and bios for our adoption team and website are usually adopted pretty quickly. Older cats/dogs or pets with medical issues can take longer to find their forever homes.