Sometimes you have a burning love in your heart for animals, but are unsure whether you can provide a life-long home.  There are tons of animals in need, and even a temporary home is better than no home at all.  Being a foster parent to an animal helps you learn the pet care ropes, while helping an orphaned animal cope with the situation.  If you are interested in foster parenting, then here is a little more information to get you started.

What is a foster parent?  A foster parent is someone that provides a temporary home for a shelter animal.  There are many reasons why an animal may need a foster home.  Often, the shelter is filled to capacity; fostering keeps one more animal from being euthanized.  Sometimes, fostering is used as a rehabilitation stage for animals that need to recover from a not-so-good past.  For instance, an animal that has not been properly socialized, and needs more socialization efforts than the shelter can provide, may be sent to a foster parent.  The foster parent would be able to spend more time properly socializing the animal, perhaps with animals already in the home.  The same is true for sick, injured, or extremely young pets.  Foster parents can provide care, time, and attention that the shelter may not be able to provide.

How long does a foster parent keep the animal?  The time the animal stays in foster care is dependent on many factors and can range from a couple of weeks to several months.  If the pet is at a foster home due to a full shelter, then the pet may return to the shelter when space opens up.  If the foster home is providing a rehabilitation service, then the pet may return to the shelter when the foster parent and shelter feel that the animal is ready.  In some cases, the foster parent may have the option to adopt the animal.

How do you become a foster parent?  Many shelters have fostering programs.  However, the process is not always easy.  Contact your local shelter to find out more information on foster parenting.  In general, the shelter will have you fill out an application form.  The form will have questions about why you want to foster an animal and questions concerning your ability to foster the animal.  They will also want to know about family members and other pets.  If the application is approved, someone from the shelter will set up an appointment to visit your home.  No, they don’t care that every corner of your home is spic and span; but, they do care to find out if you are able to take care of another pet, where the pet will be housed, the behavior of other household pets, etc.

How does a foster parent prepare for the new pet?  Start with the basics.  All animals need food, water, and shelter.  Toys and comfy bedding are also a plus!  In other words, care for the foster animal as you would care for your own.  Some shelters will provide all the necessities for the length of the time the animal is with you.  Others may provide food coupons or starter items.  Almost all shelters will provide complete veterinary care for the animal, including any medication that may be required.

Take necessary steps to dog proof or cat proof your home, removing any items that could pose health hazards.  Create a warm, welcoming environment for the pet.  You never know what the pet may have experienced in the past.  If you have other pets, it’s a good idea to keep them away from the new arrival.  You will need to slowly introduce the pets, while avoiding conflict or unnecessary stress.  The same is true with children and other family members:  the introductions need to be slow and deliberate.

Providing a home for a foster animal is an extremely noble deed.  Perhaps, you can provide the pet extra time and attention that it may not find at the shelter.  There are different fostering programs, and each is dependent upon the shelter.  If you want to be a foster parent, then you need an open mind, an open home, and an open heart.  Once you have these things taken care of, then contact your local shelter and get to fostering!

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This article was provided by Pet Super Store a pet website featuring dog training collars and popular brands like PetSafe and Innotek.