Open Your Heart and Home: The Life Changing Journey of Pet Fostering
Fostering can be very rewarding yet challenging, but knowing that you saved an animal from euthanasia and helped socialize and prepare it for its forever home will give you endless joy. Fostering animals has numerous benefits for everyone involved.
It saves adoptable animals from probable death as strays suffering from abuse and unspeakable neglect.
It gives foster parents the benefits of having a pet without the long-term commitment (or gives their pet a playmate).
If you plan to adopt a dog or cat in the future, it gives the foster parent incredible insight into what they do or don't want in their own pet.
It removes animals from an overcrowded shelter environment and gives them a happy home to live in (to be socialized and feel loved) while they await their forever home.
It allows the foster family to learn the animal's personality so they can help our group determine the best outcome for the animal. Animals don't behave like themselves in shelters—how would you act in jail?
It is highly advisable to work with a rescue group rather than rescuing a pet and finding a home for it on your own. Most rescue groups work to help identify and save animals that are most adoptable. Most groups will assist any type of adoptable dog in need, especially wonderful mutts who are often dismissed by people seeking purebreds.
Before You Foster Animals, You Should Know Two Things:
It's emotionally grueling.
If you're fostering dogs or cats, you are likely an animal lover with a big heart. It's so easy to get attached to a dog or cat, even after just a few days or weeks. Be aware that it is going to be hard letting them go, even though you know they are going to a good place. Prepare to feel very sad every time you 'lose' a foster baby.
You may also find yourself upset when your friends or family members insist on buying dogs from breeders. You just have to keep reminding yourself that your foster baby is in a happy forever home where they will be loved until the day they die and that you're doing your part to save lives
It's time-consuming.
Sometimes the dogs and cats need to be taken to the vet for shots or treatments (paid for by the rescue group). Generally we will do this, but may ask you to help if you are able. Some puppies need to be let out every few hours. Some dogs need potty or manners training. Some animals are scared and need some good TLC. We will place an animal with you that fits how you wish to foster.
Don't foster if you don't have some free time.
Also, if you already have your own pet, it is highly recommended to take time off between foster pets in order to give your animal a little one-on-one love.
READY TO FOSTER?
Opening your home to a pet in need is one of the most powerful things you can do to save a life. Fostering is the bridge between the shelter and a forever home. It gives animals the love, stability, and real-life experience they need to shine for potential adopters. It’s a crucial step in helping our dogs and cats get adopted.
Choose Your Foster
Tell us what kind of animal you’d like to foster. Dog or cat? Big or small? Can you help a mom with puppies or a cat with kittens? Can you take more than one animal at a time? Share your comfort level and capacity, and we’ll work to match you with the right pet.
Our Support for You
Castoff Pet Rescue has years of experience and will support you every step of the way.
Your Role
Treat the animal like your own and give them a safe, loving environment. Socialize and train them if you’re able. Share your observations about the pet’s personality and behavior with us so we can update their profile and help them find the perfect forever home even faster. Meanwhile, CPR will be using all available channels to find an appropriate home as quickly as possible. We screen all applicants and handle the adoption process so you can focus on caring for your foster.
Important to Know
All animals remain the property of Castoff Pet Rescue. We reserve the right to make the final decision about where each animal is ultimately placed.
We can’t do this without our foster community. You are the heartbeat of our mission, giving animals the second chance they deserve. If you’re ready to change a life (and maybe your own), complete our foster application today.
Open Your Home to Love Today
Every day you wait, another pet waits too. Contact us now to learn how you can provide a loving temporary home and be the bridge between rescue and their forever family. Contact us to learn more Info@castoffpetrescue.org.