Pet Forums 2000

How did you first hear of fostering?

What was your main incentive in fostering?

What about your first dog/cat that you fostered, that made you want to continue?

What about your first dog/cat that you fostered, that made you NOT want to continue?

How long have your been fostering, how many animals have you fostered?

How much longer do you plan on fostering?

How many dogs/cats do you have that are your personal pets, and how do they respond to getting a new companion often?

How much time do you spend caring for your fosters dog/cat special needs and training everyday?

What is the most common problem you deal with with the dogs/cats?

How much money do you spend on average on your foster dogs/cats?

Sorry for so many questions!!

I plan on doing a lot of dog/cat fosters when I get out of college and have my own home. I absolutely can't wait. After fostering for a while I hope to open a rescue.

I first started fostering when I joined up with a rescue group.
I have done it for years.
I have at least 4 dogs in per year.
Since I train I get the ones who have problems and issues that need to be dealt with. So I spend a lot of time training with the dogs.
They learn everything from house manners to proper leash walking and get tons of socialization.
My own pets are somewhat standoffish at first as they have learned that most times the new one does not stay. They tend not to get attached to quickly.
I will foster for many more years as time and open spots in my home allows.
It can be hard to let one go but for me I look at the as not mine and that they are looking for a perfect home where they will be number one in that home. In mine they would not be number one.
I deal with untrained dogs. Most people do not take the time and make the effort to give the dog proper manners and it makes for issues and problems. With proper training and manners dogs are much easier to place in new homes.
It is worth it. When I get a letter and photo of one of mine in their new home and hear how much joy they bring to the life of the new owner it makes it all worth it.
If you can handle giving them up it is one of the most rewarding things you can do.

I have fostered cats. I heard about it when i went to choose a cat for re homing through a rescue. The one I chose was living in a foster home. A year later i volunteered to foster myself.
I took two kittens in that were homed in less than a week. Have had a couple more and then my latest will be staying as shes elderly and got a few problems.(some thug shot her with an air gun so she limps and is likely to be prone to arthritis)
My foster cats always have a room of their own. If they are likely to go to a home with pets, i start integrating a couple of my own friendlier cats with them to see if they will be ok in a multi cat home. (i have 8 cats including the old lady foster).
Problems vary depending on the animals history, if it's one that's strayed or lost then fleas ear mites and worms can be common. However all pets need treatment for them, so it's not a big deal. They can have problems with missing old homes too, even if it wasn't a very good one. Or can be nervous if they have been neglected or abused.
I buy food for my cats in bulk and the fosters get fed out of the same, (unless they have Special diets). The rescue does offer to provide things and does cover vets bills, so it's not to expensive. However you need to see what your rescues policy is on that.

I think the worst problem with the job is your reaction to humans. I have met some great people, however I have met some who really don't have a clue.
One person wanting to take one cat and return it if it didn't match her curtains. People like that drive me potty.

"How did you first hear of fostering?"

I heard about fostering when I adopted my first Minpin from a rescue group.

"What was your main incentive in fostering?"

I volunteered because I had no idea how bad the situation really was, and was horrified when I learned about it.

"What about your first dog/cat that you fostered, that made you want to continue?"

The fact that she was used as a bait dog and had half of an ear missing, along with tons of puncture scars on her body.

"What about your first dog/cat that you fostered, that made you NOT want to continue?"

Nothing, really, but she did end up being a foster failure after three weeks.

"How long have your been fostering, how many animals have you fostered?"

I have been fostering for more than two years, and probably fostered and adopted out more than 25 dogs.

"How much longer do you plan on fostering?"

Until we are too old to do it anymore. Or until people stop breeding irresponsibly and filling the shelters.

"How many dogs/cats do you have that are your personal pets, and how do they respond to getting a new companion often?"

I have seven of my own dogs. We studied pack behaviors and how to control a pack, as well as how to introduce a new member. We have gotten quite good at it.


"How much time do you spend caring for your fosters dog/cat special needs and training everyday?"

Well, when we are not at work or caring for the house, we are working with all the dogs. That would make this our second full time jobs. We have no children, so we don't mind this at all.


"What is the most common problem you deal with with the dogs/cats?"

There really is no common problem. Each rescue comes with a different set of issues, from illness to behavioral. We take on one at a time.

"How much money do you spend on average on your foster dogs/cats?"

My rescue group reimburses most expenses. We do donate all the food, treats, toys, and heartworm meds. We can claim travel on our tax returns.

Fostering and adopting out to great homes is a very rewarding experience for us. Just the thought that we were able to save one life by opening up our homes has meaning.
If this is something you are committed to, and I mean you REALLY need to be committed, you will not regret it.

Good luck!


ETA: LOL Shaycos-They do that with dogs, too. Don't you just want to bop some people right in the head?