Hi forummers! Here's an article about animal fostering and why its such an important resource for animal welfare
. I hope this encourages more people to foster if they haven't already started, and for those who do, keep it up!! don't stop!! read on and enjoy!
Article from
http://www.geocities.com/~nyca/foster.html
SAVING LIVES: THE DIRE NEED FOR FOSTER PEOPLE
by, Patty Adjamine (New Yorkers for Companion Animals)
Why Foster?
Often those in rescue and shelter work are asked the question, "How can I help animals? Do you need people to play with cats or dogs?"
We don't need people to "play" with animals as much as we need responsible and caring individuals willing to foster a homeless cat or dog in the home. Why the need for "in home" fosters?
Most of the cats and dogs "euthanized" in our animal shelters are destroyed for simple lack of space and a place to go. The fact is, we have far, far more animals given up, abandoned, lost, strayed or left homeless because some dire circumstance has occurred to the past guardian (illness, eviction, arrest, going into a nursing home or death) than what we have immediate adoptive homes for. The result of this lopsided equation is that each day, approximately, 100 cats and dogs are destroyed in our New York City animal pounds. Many if not most of these animals are "adoptable" with a little time and safe sanctuary until a permanent home can be found. Unfortunately, "time" and "safe sanctuary" are luxuries our city shelters and rescue groups cannot afford for the more than 50,000 animals that enter city pounds each year.
What is Foster Care?
Fostering means temporarily care of an animal in home until the cat or dog can be placed. It is the responsibility of the shelter or rescue group to actively advertise and search for a permanent adoptive home for the fostered pet. Shelters and rescue groups are responsible for any medical care the animal might need. Fosters usually pay for pet food and litter. It is preferable that most foster homes be somewhat local to the attending shelter or rescue group. This facilitates expedient placement of the pet.
How Much Time is Involved in Fostering a Pet?
This varies greatly depending upon the type of pet being fostered and whether that animal is "readily adoptable." There are "Long-term fosters" (up to six months) and "Short Term Fosters" (usually less than or about a month).
What is a "Long-term Foster?"
Long term fosters are those animals who are not immediately "adoptable." A mother cat with a newborn litter of kittens for example would require at least three months in foster for all animals to be adopted out. Kittens who are too young for adoption or not yet properly socialized usually require a month or two in foster before they can be placed. Sometimes an animal may have a temporary medical condition (such as kennel cough, recovering from surgery or poor condition due to past neglect) in which case, fostering is needed until the animal recovers or gains full health and vitality.
What is Short-term Foster?
Short term fosters are for those animals who are immediately adoptable and/or highly "desirable." Examples of these are small and purebred dogs, kittens and young, purebred or declawed cats. Foster care of these animals is usually less than a month. Larger dogs, even when otherwise "perfect" usually require several months in foster care.
What If I "Fall in Love" with a Foster Animal?
One of the great advantages of fostering a pet is that the foster person usually has "first option to adopt." Fostering can thus provide an excellent opportunity for those seeking to adopt a highly desirable "small dog" or other pet that enjoys public popularity. One must realize that if deciding to adopt a foster pet, the shelter or rescue group reserves the right to approve the adoption and to proceed with normal protocols for adoption, such as contracts and adoption fees.
What If I Am Unable to Fulfill Foster Commitment?
Most rescue groups and shelters have back-up emergency plans if a foster does not work out (such as boarding the animal). However, as boarding is very expensive, rescue groups need people to be serious about fostering. It is not something to be taken lightly. It is always best to let the rescue group or shelter know of any anticipated trips, moves or limitations on fostering so that other arrangements can be made in advance if the animal does not yet have an adoption possibility.
Can I Choose Which Animal to Foster?
In some cases, yes and in other cases, the rescue groups needs people for specific animals. This is something to discuss with the individual rescue group or shelter.
What are the Requirements for Foster?
Mostly, people who are responsible, knowledgeable and caring towards animals and have a sincere desire to help save lives. Obviously, a safe environment is a must, a "pet friendly" building and support from any other members in the home.
What if I have Pets of My Own Already in my Home?
Because most rescue groups and shelters cannot guarantee compatibility between animals and also because an animal coming directly out of a shelter may have a cold due to crowded shelter conditions, it is always best to isolate the foster animal from pets already in the home. If the foster animal is healthy and introductions are done slowly and carefully, usually after some days the animals can be together.
What's Are The Advantages of Fostering?
As mentioned previously, fosters almost always have first option to adopt. As such, fostering can be a good way of "testing" whether one is truly ready or not for the permanent commitment of adoption. Foster is also an excellent option for those who love having the company of a pet, but due to personal or uncertain circumstances cannot adopt permanently. Young people, students or those who travel frequently or who are planning a major move or career change would do best to foster an animal, rather than adopt. Sometimes fostering is also a good option for senior citizens whose general long-term health might be of some concern. Most significantly however, those who foster usually express a feeling of great "reward" and satisfaction in knowing they have helped to directly save an animal's life. It is something many foster people elect to do again and again.
The Bottom Line
In short, foster care is the most direct way of saving animals' lives. All shelters and rescue groups are extremely limited in the numbers of animals they can save due to space restraints and other resource limitations. More fosters results in greater numbers of animals saved and less need to "euthanize" adoptable cats and dogs in pounds due to lack of space.
It costs millions of dollars to open up animal shelters. The bottom line is we do not have enough shelters for all the animals who need them. Unless safe and temporary sanctuary can be found for the many thousands of adoptable cats and dog who, for whatever reason, find themselves in animal pounds or on streets, then our "euthanasia statistics" will tragically remain in the tens of thousands each year, despite whatever "spins" and candy-coating we try to put on this dismal situation.
Please, for the sake of the animals, if you can, please volunteer to be a "foster parent."
For more information or to volunteer to save a life, please call us at (212) 427-8273.
Patty Adjamine,
New Yorkers for Companion Animals