FOSTER CARE FOR PAWS ANIMALS 

If you've ever spent any time at all at your local shelter or humane society, then you are probably already aware of the urgent need our facility have for volunteers.  Most of the time, animal facilities run off very limited funds and have extremely tight budgets; to make sure that the animals in their our care receive everything that they need, our facility must rely on volunteers a great deal.  Volunteers can help out in a number of key ways, but few are as rewarding-or as necessary as foster care for shelter dogs.

What is Foster Care for Shelter Dogs About? 

Life in a shelter can be very stressful and traumatic for a dog or cat.  While waiting to get adopted, dogs and cats must contend with living in close quarters with many other animals.  This can mean frequent illnesses - including the dreaded kennel cough - and a wide range of other problems.  hile some dogs are in and out shelters relatively quickly, others end up being there for an extended period of time.  This is especially true for large dogs, older dogs and dogs with certain conditions or problems.  When a dog or cat has to stay in a shelter for an extended period of time, the stress can trigger a number of problems in physical health and mental well-being.  It can also exacerbate existing problems.

Foster care for shelter dogs and cats is a program used by many humane societies and shelters to give dogs and cats a much needed break from life in a kennel.  Typically people who love dogs and who have one at home or have previously had dogs are the people who open up their homes to foster dogs. The respite from the day-to-day rigors of living in impersonal close quarters can help breathe some fresh air into an otherwise stressful, cramped, noisy and unnatural existence.

Each specific facility has its own list of rules and regulations when it comes to fostering dogs or cats at home.  By volunteering to offer foster care for shelter dogs or cats, you can help keep a helpless dog or cat healthy and happy and might even end up adopting a truly irresistible one at some point, giving it a permanent loving home.

The Rewards of Offering Foster Care for Dogs and Cats 

By providing foster care for dogs and cats, you can enjoy the sense of helping out a helpless creature and enriching their life for the better.  Whether you take in a sick dog who needs a little TLC, a puppy or kitten who requires extra nurturing, an older dog or cat who is in desperate need of a break from the facility or absolutely any dog or cat under any circumstance, you will come away from the experience feeling glad to have done your own small part to make their life better.  If you end up adopting a dog or cat, the experience will have been that much more meaningful.

Getting Your Home Ready for a Foster Dog or Cat

Even if you have a great deal of experience with dogs and cats, you still need to keep several important things in mind when you decide to provide fost care for shelter dogs or cats.  Being as prepared as possible will help make the experience as satisfying and helpful as possible for the dog or cat and for you and your family.  Keep the following tips in mind so that you can make your home as dog/cat friendly as possible for your special guest.

• Designate a single room to be the "headquarters," or the primary place, where your foster dog/cat will spend his/her time.  You do not want to isolate the dog/cat - it is best for him/her to be around people - so a family room or kitchen will work well.  Use a baby gate or other barrier to keep the dog safely confined.
• Set up a crate that will be large enough for your foster dog/cat to sit and lie comfortably.  Use an old blanket or other soft material to make it cozy, so that the dog/cats knows it will be his/her bed
• Make sure that the room where your foster dog's crate is located is comfortably warm or cool, depending on the weather.  In other words, warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
• If there are any plants in the home, double check about their toxicity to dogs.  If any are unsafe, remove them from the home while your guest is staying with you. ASPCA Poison Center and GOOGLE are your best friends.
• Before bringing your foster dog/cat home, try to put yourself in their paws.  Are there any hiding places that he/she could get himself/herself into? Think ahead to avoid problems.
• Make sure that you have all of the basic supplies to take care of your foster dog properly.  Stock up on food , food bowls, toys, bedding, combs, leashes and a crate. 
• Ask for a copy of vet records so you have them if an emergency arises.  PAWS  provides this and the phone number of the vet we use where you are to take the dog during normal working hours should you need to. The financial responsility is PAWS not yours.