Foster Parent Training

Is This Right for You?  Are you able to get to the shelter quickly to: –Pick up an animal? –Bring it in for care? –Pick up supplies, food, medication?  Are you prepared to: –Commit spending time with the animal, about 2 hours per day? –Commit to placement periods of up to 2 months? –Separate your animals from the fosters? –Administer medication or care if needed?

Most Importantly….  Are you emotionally prepared to: –Return your foster(s) even if you’ve become emotionally attached? –Handle the possible death of a foster pet?

Important Information

Read Your Manual(s)!  The manual contains important information on: –How to introduce your foster to your pets –How to pet proof your household –Supplies you’ll need –Signs and symptoms to look for and report –Steps to take and emergency phone numbers to use in case an emergency arises

If You Have Pets….  Your pet’s vaccines must be up to date  Your pet must be comfortable around the foster animal, not aggressive  You must separate your pets if the foster becomes ill or vice versa  Keep the feeding area separated to reduce risk of food aggression  Provide equal attention to both your own pets and the foster

IMPORTANT!!!  Please submit your volunteer hours dutifully!  VAC needs to report all volunteer hours in order to receive funding  Your services are acknowledged at the yearly Volunteer Appreciation Event  Please keep your contact information and availability updated 

Human housing situation –Those living in apartments or rental housing MUST obtain written permission from their landlord PRIOR to taking a foster pet home –Dogs allowed outdoors must have a fenced enclosure (do not let dogs out unsupervised, they can pull a Houdini!) –Realistically, homeowners should check their home insurance policy in regards to pets

Slumber Parties  The doggie slumber party program was created so our long term shelter residents can have a night out of the shelter, as part of our enrichment program.  Dogs that are kenneled for long periods of time can develop unpleasant behaviors that may keep them from getting adopted; they may develop depression and can actually pass away from lack of stimulation.  They profoundly benefit from just a day out of the shelter, because it improves their outlook on life. Getting out of the shelter also allows them to get exposure to different environments and experiences.  If you would like to be a slumber party foster parent, please print out the Slumber Party Packet on the foster website.

Long-Term Fostering  In the event that pets come to our shelter at a very old age or if they have long-term health issues that will prevent them from being adopted, we look for a long-term foster situation.  In long-term fostering, you care for the pet for the rest of its life as though it is your pet. Valley Animal Center will provide you with all the food and medical care required for the rest of the pet’s natural life. You provide the loving home!  Other long-term fostering situations can arise with pets that are ill or injured when they come to us, and may need a place to rest. Their care can include medication, changing of bandages, etc.

Socialization  Some pets, especially cats, come to us as feral or wild. These pets could benefit from fostering to learn to trust people.  Volunteers who attempt this type of fostering need a lot of patience, but the more friendly and social their foster pets get, the better their chances are that they will be adopted when they are returned to the shelter!