Fostering a dog
has many benefits for both the foster parent and the animal.
Bringing a
foster dog home immediately frees up cage space at an animal shelter,
which means more animals can be saved.
Getting a dog
out of a shelter environment removes the animal from a stressful, noisy
environment, where they are isolated in a cage-and puts them in an
environment where they can relax more and interact with people and
other animals. It is much easier to get a good assessment of the
animal's personality in a foster home environment. Some animals just do
not do well in a shelter.
Shelter animals
who come from an abusive background or who are scared in the shelter
tend to be much more relaxed in a foster home. They can learn to trust
while in foster care and become more social. You will be able to find
out all the personality traits of a pet - Is he potty trained? Does he
like to fetch? Does he like kids or other animals. What are his little
quirks and idiosyncrasies? Does he like to chat......Bark?
Foster
parents can provide potential adopters with much more information than
if the animal was left in a shelter. Getting out of a shelter can
remove the animal from possible health risks, especially contagious
airborne infections like an upper respiratory infection, i.e., kennel
cough. Some people shy away from fostering because they fear getting
too attached to the animal.
It can be a very
emotional experience when the pet gets adopted and goes on to it's
permanent home, especially the first time that you foster an animal. I
have found that this gets easier as you foster more animals. As a
foster parent, you will most likely be involved in the adoption
process. A lot of the emotional issues are relieved when you meet the
adopters and you know that the dog or cat is going to a good home.
Adopters are usually more than happy to share their email address or
phone number with the foster parent and let the foster know how the
newly adopted pet is doing. Some will send letters and pictures.
Some things to
consider before you bring a foster dog into your home: Do you have
other animals in your house? How will they react to a new animal coming
in to the household?
It's a
good idea to take preventative measures to protect your pet's health
before bringing the foster animal into your home. Are your animals
current on their vaccinations? Most dogs will also need a Bordatella
vaccine to protect them from kennel cough, upper respiratory infections
that is very common in shelter animals. Talk to your veterinarian
before fostering. You will need to introduce your pet to the foster dog
or cat as you would any new pet that comes into your household.
Some pets become
very accustomed to new animals coming into the house from time to
time-new animals don't phase them at all. Some animals need a more
gradual introduction. Do you have children? This is a big
consideration. Of course, you have to consider safety. Get as much
information as you can about the foster animals temperament. Sit down
and discuss being a foster parent with your children. You will need to
remind them that you are only fostering the dog or cat and not adopting
it. Remind them that it will be will hard for them the first few times
that an animal goes on to it's permanent adoptive home. Of course it
depends on each individual child, the child's age and other factors.
But, with honest, open communication, most children understand that
they are doing a good thing by fostering.
And, as soon as
an animal gets adopted, many kids can't wait to get to the shelter to
get their next foster dog or cat. Foster care usually costs the foster
parent nothing financially. Most shelters will provide food and other
necessities. Foster care can be very rewarding. If well thought out it
is a win-win situation for the animal, foster parent, and
shelter/rescue group.
Most shelters
are in desperate need of foster homes. They will be more than happy to
address any other questions or concerns that you might have.
reprinted
with kind permission from Peter Banks www.irishdogs.ie Tel:
+353 (45) 860921 Mob:
+353 (85) 120 6800
