Fostering an Animal

If you are 21 YEARS OLD OR OLDER and are interested in fostering, please fill out our foster application on the Applications page or contact us at fosterandforever@gmail.com.

One of the most rewarding ways you make a difference in the lives of homeless animals is by volunteering to be a foster pet parent. Fostering gets animals out of shelters and unsafe conditions into safe, loving homes where they can grow and heal until they are ready for permanent adoption. We are always in need of foster homes for cats, from litters of kittens to senior cats waiting for new homes. Foster and Forever will provide food and litter and cover all veterinary costs – all you need is a safe place and an open heart!

Fostering animals is, simply put, saving lives. When you become a foster parent, you volunteer to keep a homeless pet in your home temporarily until they go to a forever home. Foster and Forever Pet Rescue is run entirely through foster care. Many people come up with excuses to not foster. They think they’re too busy, or they don’t want to get attached to an animal they’ll have to give up in a month or so. We believe that with a little preparation, most people would make great foster parents. Here are eight reasons why you should consider becoming a foster parent:

1. Fostering increases an animal’s chance of getting adopted. Foster families are usually the first to find out about the pet’s personality. You may even be the first to teach your foster pet basic house manners, making them more appealing to potential adopters.

2. Your own pets will learn more social skills. The more animals your pets come into contact with, the better they are at dealing with stress and getting used to strangers. Your pet might even find a playmate in your foster pet.

3. You get to see if you’re ready to own another pet. Maybe you want to see if you’re ready to adopt one, or you want to see if adding a cat into your all-dog household will upset the balance. Or maybe you want a new pet now, but aren’t sure where you’ll be in the next 5, 10, 15, or 20 years. Though fostering can sometimes be a trial adoption period for that pet, it can help you trial changes for your current “fur family.”

4. Fostering is temporary. Cats require minimal space and are very low-maintenance, so they don’t take a lot of time to look after. Knowing the foster animal will only be with you for a short time makes it easier to find the time to take care of them, and it also makes it easier to give them up when it’s time.

5. You likely already have space for a cat. A spare bedroom, office, or screened-in porch is the perfect place for a foster pet. Even a bathroom is enough room for a kitten, and it’s much better than the animal living out on the streets. Sometimes a spare room is the only thing standing between an animal and death.

6. You can choose how to foster. Prefer to look after kittens? Can’t foster for more than a few months at a time? We can accommodate your requests as long as they are agreed to beforehand and we have plenty of notice about changes.

7. Fostering keeps animals off the streets. Animals in foster care tend to be less stressed, better socialized, and have a lower chance of getting sick than animals in shelters.

8. You are saving a life. You feel good, Foster and Forever can help more animals, and your foster pet is happy, healthy, and well-socialized. Talk about win-win-win!

Please note that, at this time, our primary focus is on cats and kittens. If you are interested in fostering dogs and puppies, please consider helping out a local dog shelter.

If you are interested in fostering cats or kittens, please fill out our foster application on the Applications page or contact us at fosterandforever@gmail.com.