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Foster Care Opportunities - Friends of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter

Foster Care Opportunities

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It has become a standard in enlightened animal shelters that animals who need special attention are transferred to foster homes in their community. Even large shelters have numerous foster families who serve as satellite branches of the shelter. This kind of program is in step with the principles of Maddie’s Fund and best practices in shelter management.

What animals need fostering?

  • Kittens and puppies, with their mothers (preferred) or without
    Before youngsters can be offered for adoption, they must be spayed or neutered. And before they can be neutered, they must reach a minimum age (8-10 weeks) and weight. They need TLC and lots of socialization, and the kennel environment is not suited to giving them the care they need.
  • Injured animals who need time for healing and rehabilitation
    Injuries may include broken bones, lacerations, skin problems, or other maladies. They need to rest and recover in a calm, friendly environment. They need to regain strength and start to play again.
  • Animals who show signs of stress in the shelter environment
    Many adult animals come to the shelter having lost the only homes they’ve known. They may appreciate the care and food provided at the shelter, but they are well aware that the kennel or the cage they live in is not a home. The resulting stress may manifest itself in several behaviors. Depression, anxiety, fear, shyness—an inclination to turn their head to the wall and mourn their losses. Sometimes these animals display unfriendly body language, growl, and snap at or claw a person who approaches them. These stress-related behaviors often cause the animal to be judged as dangerous and unadoptable, and the shelter’s only option may be euthanasia.
A caring cadre of local families can offer space in their homes for foster animals who need play and affection, patience and understanding, rest and calm consistency. Foster families are the buffer that makes it possible not to euthanize a healthy animal with a temporary problem.
Who would make a good foster parent?
Anyone who loves animals and is willing to donate their time, providing lots of TLC.

What are the requirements?
People who want to foster animals must complete an application. You must meet with the Volunteer Coordinator who interviews applicants and verifies the suitability of the home environment. You’ll be scheduled for a training session with the City Veterinarian or other qualified shelter staff—all part of the normal confirmation process. In your home you should have a room you can assign to the foster animal, allowing him or her to come out and explore when it suits the animal.

What costs are involved?
To keep your costs to an absolute minimum, the shelter provides the animal’s food, litter, and other necessary supplies. Medical care will be provided by the City Veterinarian, usually in weekly visits to the shelter.

Foster Care Volunteer Application Form

Fields marked with * are mandatory.
First Name *
 Last Name *
Address *
Street
 City
State
 Zip
Home Phone *
 Cell Phone *

Email *

Do you live in a house, apartment, or condo? *
 Do you own or rent this place? *
 Own Rent
Are pets allowed? *
 Yes No		 Do you have a fenced yard or patio area? *
 Yes No

How many adults in the household? *

How many children in the household? Ages? *(separated by commas)
    

Who will be responsible for the foster animal's care? *

Are all adult members of your household in favor of fostering an animal? *
 Yes No

Is anyone allergic to animals? *

Have you ever adopted an animal from a shelter? *
 Yes No

If yes, please indicate the name of the shelter?
in City/State

When?
 What animals and how many?
Dog      Cat      Other

Have you ever returned an animal to a shelter? *
 Yes No

If yes, please indicate the name of the shelter?
in City/State

When?
 What animals and how many?
Dog      Cat      Other

Current Pets: Please include all, including small caged pets and barnyard animals: *

Type of Pet Age Sex (S/N) How long owned?

Please select the animals that you have experience/knowledge with and the space to foster: *
 Cats Kittens Mom cat with kittens Dogs Puppies Mama dog with puppies Birds Turtles Rabbits Small rodents

Can you give medication (pills and liquids)? *
 Yes No

Where will animal(s) be housed? *

How many hours a day will the animal(s) be alone? *

Where will animal(s) sleep at night? *

Do you own a crate? *
 Yes No
And know about crate-training? *
 Yes No

Are you comfortable socializing semi-feral kittens? *
 Yes No

Are you able to bring the animal(s) back to PAAS for a weekly vet check? *
 Yes No

Where did you hear about our Foster Care Program?

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