Among the best foster homes are those that treat each rescue like their own.
Many rescue organizations are volunteer-run and have limited space to take in rescued pets. Because of these space limitations, a rescue may ask members of the community to become foster parents to dogs, cats and other animals awaiting adoption. There are a number of things rescues look for in foster families and homes in which a pet in need can find these things may mean the best chance of adoption.
Quality Daily Care
Rescue groups look for foster homes with individuals who are able to care for the animals -- no matter how temporarily -- as if they were their own lifelong companion. That means more than just supplying food and water; it also means providing quality play, exercise, basic training and a comfortable, safe environment. Rescues come from all walks of life and have a wide range of needs. Some foster homes should be able to provide a safe, quiet environment for animals that have been abused, while others may be needed to provide homes for high-energy, active and playful dogs.
Regardless of species, quality care can mean teaching the animals basics such as manners, relate to people and each other as well as basic commands -- all needed to prepare them for adoption. Puppies may need to be housebroken, small animals taught to be handled and cats litter trained.
Medical Attention
Rescue organizations usually screen animals to establish whether or not they are healthy or have any other underlying medical needs. In some cases foster homes need to be equipped to deal with medical emergencies relating to conditions that may have been missed. The best foster homes will be those with basic medical knowledge including administer pills and liquid medications and the ability to recognize the warning signs of problems. In the case of an emergency the best foster parents respond as though it were their own pet in distress, taking the animal to the veterinarian or to the shelter headquarters as needed.
Provide Updates
As the animal is living his day-to-day life in foster care, those back at the rescue are trying to find a permanent home for it. The best foster families are the ones that keep in constant contact with the shelter and provide updates about their foster pet. Living in a safe, comfortable home environment can cause the animal's personality to blossom, making them much more suitable for adoption. Updates can include new commands learned, new behavior patterns displayed, medical conditions that have cleared up or anything else making the pet more attractive to potential adopters.
Letting Go
Foster families may be asked to care for a pet indefinitely. While the animal is in their care the best foster families will do everything in their power to help a forever home. This can mean taking the animal to adoption events or fundraisers, or simply taking him out in public to meet and greet other people and animals. Good foster parents are always on the lookout for that click between a pet and their potential adopter.
But that also means foster families must be able to let go of the pet they have let into their home, seen through the bad times and the adjustment period, and cared for as if it was their own. This can be as difficult as it is rewarding, and the best foster families are willing to do it all over again.
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