Fosters are kind people who open their hearts and homes to
animals in need. Fostering really does save
lives. When you foster a homeless
animal, you are giving that animal a greater chance for survival. Simply stated, a foster is someone who cares
for an animal that would not do well in a shelter environment.
Animals typically fostered at the Tehama County Animal Care
Center are dogs and cats. They can be
adults, orphans, or moms that are either pregnant or who are nursing their
newborns. In addition, the animals may
be ill, injured, or just need a place to recover from a recent surgery. Whatever the reason, and whether you only
foster once or decide to do it frequently, you will know that because of your
efforts, an animal was helped through a difficult period in its life.
When thinking about becoming a foster be aware that it is a
commitment, not only to the organization for which you are fostering, but to
the animal’s well-being. Because the
animal will be a part of your home, it is important that all family members are
supportive. Additionally, consider how
much time you have available. Depending upon
circumstances, fostering may take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few
months. If you already have pets at
home, consider that you might have to keep them separated from the foster
animal. Also, be honest regarding skill
level and experience. Since the ultimate
goal is to insure the animal’s health and well-being, the shelter/rescue will need
to know abilities to correctly place the animal. Be sure to ask
what your financial responsibilities will be and what the shelter/rescue will
cover and/or provide. At the Animal Care
Center they provide
all food, supplies, veterinary care etc., so there is essentially no cost to a
foster.
Basic requirements fosters are expected to provide are: a
nurturing environment, appropriate nutrition, suitable shelter and adequate exercise. In addition to providing the basics, fosters may be asked to transport the
animals to veterinary appointments, adoption events,
etc.
Fosters are crucial in rehabilitation situations. By assisting an animal in recovery, and providing
it with a nurturing home venue, fostering helps increase the chance of a
successful move into a permanent home. With
regard to orphans, fosters become the surrogate parent, providing the care
necessary for those too young to function on their own. By providing these babies nutrition, socialization,
and basic training during their formative first eight weeks of life, fosters
help to ensure the health and survival of the animal.
While fosters are needed for orphans under 8 weeks of age, pregnant
or nursing moms, animals requiring either medical treatment or a place to
recover from surgery, it does not mean you are required to be a foster in every
situation. The choice is yours. For some, cats and kittens are easier
to foster, because they do not need the
space or time that dogs and puppies require. For others, the preference might
be small or older dogs.
Unfortunately, finding enough fosters is often a difficult
endeavor. One of the reasons is that people
are often fearful it will be difficult to let go once there is an emotional
attachment. While it is hard to bring a
first foster back to the shelter, remember that he/she is now ready, because of
your efforts, for that loving, permanent home.
(Some of us who have fostered decided to adopt the animal and are now
affectionately called ‘failed fosters’.)
Each year, a large number of animals are born with no one to take care
of them. At the Tehama County Animal
Care Center, the ability to take in these abandoned animals is directly dependent
on the number of reliable fosters they have to help. The more fosters available, the more lives that
can be saved. If you are interested in
learning more about the Center’s foster program, please contact Christine
McClintock, Manager at 530-527-3439.
Fosters are an amazing group of very caring people who do
everything from bottle feeding underage orphans, to working with adult animals in need of
recuperation. Fosters help ensure that
these animals are ready for human and animal interaction. They provide care, safety and most of all, love.
In addition to the benefits that both
humans and pets receive from a foster situation, removing one animal from the
shelter makes room for another. For every animal that is living in a
foster home another can be saved.
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