PLEASE OFFER YOUR HOME AS A FOSTER HOME

What is a foster home?

A foster home is the most important part of rescue! Rescues can be coordinated but without the dedication of people who open their homes to care for these rescues, the cats are still in peril!

A foster home provides the "between" time: the time the cats spends from the shelter to the permanent home. When a cat is rescued from a high kill shelter, it will likely be very scared, and possibly ill because it has been so stressed. A foster will take this poor frightened cat in and give it good food, fresh water, protection and love! The foster may need to rehabilitate the kitty, so that it will accept human love or overcome behavioral problems. The foster may need to nurse it to health if there are health problems.

What is involved in becoming a foster?

Simply, dedication and commitment ...mixed in with a desire for knowledge of how to provide better care for the cat! The foster needs to be willing to open his or her heart and home to a rescued kitty.

The foster must be willing to care for the rescued cat from the time it's put into foster care until it is adopted. This could be weeks ...or months.

The foster must be willing to put the time and effort into the care and rehabilitation of the cat. Sometimes these animals come from bad or abusive environments, and need to understand how to love again! Sometimes they need to be re-trained to use a litter box…or even eat without feeling threatened.

If the foster is a family, the whole family must be dedicated to these goals. Being a foster home can, at times, be difficult. A successful foster home is one in which everyone works together for the welfare of the cat! Please make sure that everyone who will be involved in caring for the cat will be dedicated to the cat's well-being!

What are a foster's responsibilities?

Foster homes are responsible for providing a loving home, premium food, fresh water, healthy treats, and safe toys for the cat. They are also responsible for protecting their own cats through maintaining a quarantine until it is determined to be safe to relax such safeguards.

A foster will be responsible for evaluating the rescue kitty, to ensure that the cats are placed in homes suitable to the cats’ needs. For instance, a home with young children, dogs or people who work long hours may not be suitable homes for some cats.

What is the foster not responsible for?

1. In the many cases, "vetting" is done at the shelter or on the way to foster. However, in rare cases this is not possible or becomes necessary for an illness that arises. If not done previously, you may be responsible for taking the cat to the vet for spay/neuter, FIV/FeLV testing, initial flea treatment, worming, and/or rabies or routine vaccination. These may be paid for by the rescue. The rescue may want to use their own vet or use yours after the prices are negotiated with the vet by the rescuer in charge. In some cases, the costs may be your responsibility - your foster contract should state clearly whether you are responsible for such bills and, if there is a risk of financial cost to you and under what circumstances.

2. Medications and further vetting, if pre-approved by the rescue.

3. Generally advertising is handled by the rescue.

Are there any risks involved in fostering?

There can be. That is why it is necessary to ensure that, as a foster home, your own cats are fully vaccinated, and of course, healthy! It is also important that a quiet area for quarantine be provided. This is the best and safest way to evaluate the needs of the rescue cat, as well as provide the best care possible for each individual situation.

There is also a BIG risk that you will experience a sense of loss when the rescued cat gets adopted. All good rescuers/fosters realize this risk. However, the sense of accomplishment and eventual joy that comes with knowing that a cat has been saved and is in a loving home far outbalances the initial risk!

Summary... The cold, hard content3...

Fostering is not always an easy job Fostering can be exhausting,
Fostering is often challenging,
Fostering costs money
It can be painful to let go/adopt out a foster cat.....
BUT, fostering can be THE MOST rewarding and fulfilling thing a true cat lover will ever do!

Can I foster for PCBR?

There are many shelters and rescues would relish an application to foster. PCBR primarily uses foster homes in emergency situations and then transfers the animals to an affiliated rescue for placement. However, we do use a few experienced, tried and trusted foster homes for longer term care and placement. If you are interested and have any questions, just ask! If you foster for PCBR and have internet access, once you are approved to foster, you will be expected to provide routine updates on cats in your care a regular basis and get approval for veterinary care. If you don't have internet access, we do have a toll free number for you to call.

What are the steps to becoming a foster for PCBR?

Step 1. Fill out the Foster Questionnaire and read our Policies and Procedures
Step 2. Have your vet fill out our Veterinary Reference form and FAX it to 815-455-3452.
Step 3. Submit the form and wait for the screening process to occur.
Step 4. You will be notified if we need more information...or if your application is approved.
Step 5. You will need to sign a foster contract and FAX it to 815-455-3452.
Step 6. Wait for us to approve you, then, if approved, wait for your first foster kitty to arrive! If you have any questions, contact us!

THANK YOU!

Thank you for taking the time to read this information and for caring!

Realistically, the more foster homes that are available, the more cats that can be rescued. Please consider helping, by becoming an approved foster home for PCBR or another rescue or for a shelter!