Things to Consider

What kind of pet do I want to foster?

Most people who have decided to foster a pet from a shelter or rescue are “pet people” who have other

pets at home. You’ve probably considered what kind of pet would best suit your family of humans and

pets.

It’s important to know a bit about behaviors instilled in certain breeds of dogs, especially before bringing

another home. Of course, every pet has different personalities and will fit in the way HE/SHE wants to,

but a little bit of instinct goes a long way depending on their genetical background!

Consider your lifestyle, personality, and family needs before bringing in a pet, even if it’s for a very short

time. Will you and your family be able to part with that pet if it becomes a very long time?  Some adoptive

animals spend years in a foster home awaiting  a perfect family. It all depends on circumstances.

Check your savings account. You will never recover what you spend on saving a life.  A pet’s life is worth

every dime, but you have to have enough dimes to continue treatment if you end up with a pet who

requires a lot of vet care. Because pets are housed at shelters with many more pets, illness passes very

easily between kennels. Kennel Cough, Parvo (check for blood in stool… ), and even distemper has been

known to easily take out many a pet at shelters. These are all airborne diseases that can affect your OWN

pets at home very easily.  There are no guarantees with a shelter pet whether it’s free of diseases.

Sometimes symptoms don’t show up for days or weeks later.

Will you recover your adoption expenses? Spay/Neuter expenses? Shots and Vet expenses? …. in most

cases, probably not.  You can ask for an adoption amount to help with incurred expenses, but it may not

cover your monetary loss in the end.  Most people will not spend much to adopt a rescued pet, let alone

a small fortune for treatment you received for the pet to save him.

Do your own homework checking the pet out. Runny nose, dull or teary eyes, wet or smelly ears, white

tongue, and foul breath are all signs of sickness. It could be a mild cold, or it could be something else.

What about limping? Cocking head to one side? Heavy breathing?

Your pets at home MUST be vaccinated PRIOR to you bringing home any pets for fostering. Make sure

you’ve given the vaccinations the allowed time to act so your pets are covered.  Not all vaccines can stop

the spread of sickness, but most do a good job.

Questions to ask the shelter:

WHY is the pet at the pound? Behavior problems?  Aggressive?  Family Loss? Destructive?

Urinating problems?
What is the pet’s breed or suspected breed
How old is the pet?
Is it full grown,  or will it grow more?
Do you know of any illness? Have you seen the pet’s stool?  Soft? Runny? (could be from stress, too

…. but if it has blood, BAD thing!)

Have you seen the pet with kids? Women? Men?  Actions with families?
What is the policy as far as adopting the pet out again (some shelters demand that you keep the pet

for a year).

Many of the shelter volunteers have their own opinions of the pets in their care. It is good to get as

much information as possible from them versus leaving blindly with a pet.

Make sure this is a good option

for you and your family:

Remember your furry friends at home and their personalities, realizing that they’ll have to share your

attention with another addition.  This could bring on jealousy or even bad behaviors.

Also remember that the new pet may bring bad habits of his own, and could very well chew your

favorite shoe or even your livingroom sofa!  It may or may not be potty trained. It may be a jumper

and scale your fence. It may eat your parakeet. It may jump on grandma or not retract its claws

when walking across your favorite comforter. It may wake the neighbors up at 3:00 in the morning,

barking because he wants something and you have NO IDEA what it is!

You’ll also be a teacher while it’s in your care. And for that you’ll need time. Is your family prepared

for that? Considering all factors, does everyone in the household agree to the change of life?  Are

you prepared to take on the responsibility alone if other family members decide they changed their

minds?

Also… because YOU are the RESPONSIBLE person for this pet, are you okay to interview potential

adoptive parents?  Are you prepared to let the pet go if you DO find a wonderful parent?  How about

the rest of the family and their feelings?  Attachments happen…. especially if you’re reading this and

your as big of an animal lover as we all realize!

All good questions, huh?  Only you can answer them honestly.  For the pet’s sake, and for your life’s

sake, think long, think strong, and be sure. Saving a life is hard work, but it has rewards like no other.