© Aanika Lein Photography
What is a foster home?
Foster parents provide temporary homes for animals prior to adoption. Providing foster care is a wonderful and personal way to contribute to saving homeless pets. Dogs are the most common pets needing foster homes.
Why do animals need foster care? There are several possible reasons:
- Foster care can help save an animal’s life when a shelter is full.
- Some animals don’t do well in a shelter environment because they are frightened or need a little extra care.
- Newborn animals that need to be nursed or bottle-fed usually need foster care.
- Some animals need time to recover from an illness or injury before adoption. Whatever the reason, these animals need some extra love and care before they can be adopted. Providing foster care for a few days, weeks, or months can be a lifesaving gift for an animal.
How do I give fostering a try?
When you are ready, contact Last Paw Rescue and talk to them about it. There is a volunteer application to sign and some policies to read, but you should be able to go home soon with a new foster dog. Foster parents make an enormous difference in the number of animals euthanized each year because shelters don’t have space for them. It is important, valuable work and, best of all, it saves lives.
Would I be a good foster parent?
If you want to do something to help dogs, Fostering can be fun, flexible and a rewarding volunteer job. It can be a flexible volunteer job that allows you to be in the comfort of your own home without demanding schedule conflicts. It is a great way to enjoy an additional pet if you are not in the position to adopt your own. Giving back to misplaced, abused, or endangered dogs is a wonderful gift to give.
How much time will it take?
The specific needs of the animal will determine how much time is involved. Newborn orphaned puppies for instance, must be fed every few hours. A frightened animal who needs socialization or training will also require some extra time. You can discuss your availability with your foster coordinator to determine what breed of dog you’ll be best suited to foster.
I can’t provide foster care, are there other ways I can help?
There are opportunities to volunteer your help;
- Fundraising events, for medical care, supplies, and transportation.
- Adoption Clinics
- Transportation to and from the Vet.
- Transportation to new foster homes.
- Photography for social media and online publishing.
- Administrative duties.
If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the below application.