ANIMAL FOSTERING – HOW & WHY?
Q: Why a Foster Care Program?
A: The first reason is that we do not have a shelter. Quite frankly, we are glad that we don’t!
A loving home is the best environment for the health and well being of a domestic animal. Very young puppies and kittens need time for their developing immune systems to respond to vaccines that prevent diseases while pets recovering from injury or illness need rest and supervision. Similarly, an animal presented to the Hiawatha Animal Humane Society might be too timid for the kennel environment, or housebroken to the point where life in a dog run creates considerable stress. Such animals, though they are potentially excellent pets in the home, simply do not do well in the kennel. Foster care provides a needed transition to adoptable age or status by maintaining human contact on an individual basis in a home environment. In short, foster care helps make animals with special needs more adoptable.
Q: What animals need foster care?
A: Puppies, kittens, pregnant animals near term, injured or recovering animals and others who are not well-suited to kennel life are examples of animals with special needs.
Q: How does the Foster Care program work?
A: Foster caregivers make a contract agreement with the Hiawatha Animal Humane Society for temporary care of the animal(s). The agreement is based on the animal’s needs, may or may not define a specific time frame for the foster care, and spells out responsibilities of both you as a foster care provider and the humane society. You shelter and care for the animal and agree to take it to the vet for scheduled vaccinations, etc. The Hiawatha Animal Humane Society remains the owner of the animal and the animal comes back to us at the end of the foster care period, that is if a certain return date was agreed upon in the contract agreement.
Q: Is the animal “up for adoption” while in my care?
A: The animal’s adoption status depends both on the animals and on your agreement with the humane society. Young animals are not adopted until weaned, of course. There is also a 7 day waiting period for all animals after arrival at the humane society before an animal becomes available for adoption. This waiting period is to allow any prior owner to claim their animal. However, if the animal is of adoptable age and adoptable status, they will still be up for adoption while in your care.
Q: If someone wants to adopt a pet in foster care, how does it work?
A: Photos and descriptions of pets in foster homes will be displayed in various locations within the community, featured in Pet of the Week in both the Lake City Graphic and the Wabasha Herald and as adoptable animals on our Petfinder site or via Our adoptable animals page on our site. Actual adoption takes place through the Hiawatha Animal Humane Society with you as their representative. Potential adopters can come to visit the animal in your home. Or other arrangements can be made if that is not comfortable for you. At the time you take the animal into your care, you will be given an adoption packet that will accompany the animal to his or her new home. The signed adoption agreement will be retained by the Humane Society.
Q: Do I need special facilities?
A: Not necessarily special, but facilities appropriate for the situation are needed. For example, a restricted area such as a fenced yard or pen is needed for some pets, but walks on a leash may work well for others.
Q: Who buys food and toys for fostered animals?
A. The Hiawatha Animal Humane Society will provide pet food. The foster parent is responsible for buying toys, etc., for the foster animal while it is in their care.
Q: What about veterinary care needs and costs?
A: The Hiawatha Animal Humane Society maintains a health program for vaccinations, worming and any other required health care. You will be responsible for taking the animal to the vet for scheduled care, but the humane society pays the bill.
Q: What if behavior problems of the pet or changes in my home make the foster care arrangement impossible?
A: Things happen. If irresolvable problems occur, contact the Hiawatha Animal Humane Society and other arrangements will be made. Sometimes trades are made between foster homes. This can happen when one fostered animal is found to be better suited to a different family situation than the one it was initially placed in.
Q: Can foster caregivers adopt a fostered pet?
A: You can adopt if you want. Since the humane society’s goal is to find animals good homes we’d be crazy to say no. But it is important to remember that, for very practical reasons, you just cannot keep every animal. I'm sure your mother told you this. The adoption fee will be waived should you agree to adopt an animal you are fostering.
For any inquires, please send us an e-mail at hiawathaanimal@hotmail.com, call the Hiawatha Humane Society at: 651-448-0396, or contact us though our webpage via the contact form.