Foster a Pet
All Pawmetto Lifeline foster parents are required to have a completed, approved application on file. Click here to access our dog foster application and our cat foster application.
There will never be a facility big enough to accommodate area shelter animals in need and that is why Pawmetto Lifeline relies on compassionate people such as you to temporarily house and care for shelter animals that would otherwise be euthanized. Pawmetto Lifeline animals are rescued from local municipal animal shelters to avoid euthanasia and placed in foster homes and temporary shelter situations until there is a secured adoption approved by Pawmetto Lifeline.
Before being placed in a foster home, every animal is assessed for health problems, and temperament. Because Pawmetto Lifeline assesses these animals in a stressful environment, it is possible that certain health or temperament issues will not be apparent at the time of the initial assessment. This is where the foster person's input is crucial to the life of the animal, as well as determining the type of home it will need.
All Pawmetto Lifeline foster parents are required to have a completed, approved application on file. What that means is that you will be asked to complete an application as if you were applying to adopt a pet. We feel strongly that our foster homes must be qualified to adopt a pet from us in order to foster a pet from us. Once you complete the application we will contact you for a short interview and to determine what type of pet you are looking to foster. (Click here to complete our dog foster application and/or our cat foster application.)
Responsibilities of FosteringA Foster is someone who gives temporary housing to a Pawmetto Lifeline animal in need and transports them to and from veterinary appointments as needed as well as weekly adoption events. These animals can be cats or kittens dogs or puppies, and we can usually provide you with the type of animal you are interested in fostering if you have specific requirements for your household. Many people like to have big dogs only or perhaps you only want new moms with a litter of kittens; we do our best to accommodate your needs.
We look to our Fosters to provide our pets with love and care, socialization and a general assessment of their personality. By providing this information we are better prepared to place the pets in the appropriate home.
Requirements
We ask that our foster homes make at least a one-week commitment to each animal and then make a decision whether or not to continue fostering from that point.
As a foster parent you will be asked to:
- Give your foster animal lots of attention and affection. The animal may have lived a difficult life before coming to your home. Your love and attention will help heal the animal's psychological wounds.
- Learn as much as you can about pet care. Before you bring your foster animal home, learn as much as you can about caring for that particular type of animal. Read about feeding, grooming, and training. Read our guidelines carefully. Study warning signs that may indicate the animal needs veterinary attention.
- Make your home pet friendly. Before you bring your foster animal home, make sure you "pet proof" your home. For example, remove poisonous plants and protect furnishings. Keep the animal's room warm and comfortable. Also, take steps to prevent the animal from escaping.
- Keep foster animals away from your own pets, at least initially. A foster animal will go through a period of adjustment in your home and other animals can heighten their sensitivity to a new environment. Take precautions when introducing your pets to each other. In addition though your pets are vaccinated against many diseases, it's a good idea to keep the foster animal away from your pets for a few days as an added precaution. Though our animals will be spayed or neutered and given all vaccinations appropriate to its age the animals will sometimes contract communicable illnesses while in the shelters that we were not aware of before placing them with you.
- Recognize your limits. Fostering requires a great deal of time and energy - both emotional and physical. Don't overextend yourself by fostering animals too frequently or you may burn yourself out.
- Bring the animal to the Saturday Adoption Events. Pawmetto Lifeline depends on you to make its program work. Our dogs are advertised on our website & the foster families should be willing to bring their foster dog to the adoption center on Saturdays for viewing.
- Have the consent of your landlord.
- Have your own pets current on all their vaccinations.
- Understand that the Pawmetto Lifeline is not responsible for any damage or injury done by a foster animal in your care.
- Enjoy being a foster parent Although fostering takes a great deal of time and commitment, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience.
Pawmetto Lifeline will provide the foster home with all necessary supplies including food. All medical for the fostered animal is also provided by Pawmetto Lifeline.
