Shelters run out of space and then must euthanize millions of perfectly healthy animals every year. The animals did nothing wrong, it’s just that their time ran out before being adopted. Also, you can become a pet foster parent to find out if this pet is for you.

Here’s where pet foster parents can help. These are people who volunteer to care for pets in their home while the animals are waiting to be adopted. They love pets and want to give as many pets as possible a chance to find a new family.

Why do pets need a foster home?

Some pet owners are looking out for someone to become a  foster parent for their pet. This can happen when they must give up a beloved pet. They don’t want to surrender their pet to an animal shelter where it could very likely be euthanized. Maybe someone you know has wanted to find a loving and safe place for his or her pet until it is adopted. That’s where pet foster parents come in to help.

Here are some of the many situations that may have someone seek a pet foster parent. An elderly person may no longer be able to take care of himself or herself. They need to move into an assisted living or nursing home where pets are not allowed. Some people have lost their jobs or homes and can’t financially take care of a pet any longer.

Families may go through difficult times such as divorce, an illness, or even death when a pet must move to a new home. Military personnel who are deployed may have to find a new home for his or her pet. When a family must relocate and move into an apartment, sometimes pets are not allowed.

How does one become a pet foster parent?

A pet foster parent steps in the role of the family and provides a safe and loving environment for the animal until it is adopted. The pets that need fostering include puppies, dogs, kittens, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other animals.

The foster parent provides basic care such as food, water, shelter, and a safe environment for the pet. For example poisonous plants that puppies and kittens could eat must be moved out of the way. A dog may need to be taught basic house manners. If the animal has been abused and is skittish, it may just need a lot of love to rebuild its confidence.

A pet foster parent may need to transport the animal to adoption events. If the animal becomes injured or ill and needs veterinary care, the foster parent would take the animal to a designated vet. The cost of the veterinary care is not the responsibility of the pet foster parent.

You may be an ideal pet foster parent if you…

o are thinking about getting a pet, but you’ve never had one before. This will let you experience if a pet would fit in with your life.
o want a pet, but cannot commit now to adopting one for its entire lifetime.
o have a pet at home already and are not sure how a new pet would fit in.
o love pets and have the time and space to devote to care for pets while they are waiting to be adopted.

Find out more about how to become a pet foster parent.

You can inquire at your local animal shelters about helping them out as a pet foster parent. Or you can go online to www.petfinder.com and under ‘shelters and rescues’ there is a section on fostering pets.

If you do become a pet foster parent, you will not only have saved the life of a wonderful animal, but in return they will give you so much companionship.