Pet fostering: How to foster cats, dogs and other pets

How to say goodbye
Parting is never easy, no matter how many times you do it, says Mary Anne. "There are always tears, but it's in the best interest of the animal to find a forever home. You have to look at the big picture. By letting one go, you can help another." Michelle says she makes it very clear to her young son that the bunnies they foster are just temporary houseguests: "I draw a very clear line; we're just helping the bunny and giving him a place to stay for a while. Sure, he's a little sad when they leave, but he feels good about helping, too."

For McGruther, the shelter's home-sweet-home bulletin board makes it easier to let go. Many adoptive families send pictures and letters to let foster parents know how well their ex-charges are doing. "I put them up on the board so everyone can read the happily-ever-after stories," says McGruther. One story with a happy ending is that of Parker, a little, blind Yorkie whose foster home became his forever home. "We knew Parker was going to be difficult to place," says Mary Anne. "He'd been adopted and returned once already because he was a bit aggressive. He just found his way into our hearts, so we kept him."

Similarly, Michelle's family kept their foster bunnies Mickey and Tiny, and McGruther kept her foster cat, Timbit. Sometimes, says McGruther, it's just meant to be. "The animals can't speak, but I know they love it."

Interested in fostering?
The first step is to get in touch with the organization of your choice, such as your local humane society or the SPCA in your province. Many programs pay for all veterinary care and provide supplies such as food, litter and even toys and blankets. If a foster family has young children, for example, only animals who do well with young children are placed there. Some require that you have a separate room in your home in which to house the foster animals if they are ill or have other special needs, and if you have pets of your own that their shots are up to date and they are kept separated from the new arrivals. But the main requirements of people who want to foster is that they are willing to provide a safe, loving environment, says Mary Anne Marcuz, a pet foster parent and volunteer at Adopt-a-Dog/Save-a-Life Inc. in Toronto. 

If it turns out that the fit isn't a good one – and that does happen, says Tara Jackson, communications manager at the Ottawa Humane Society – another foster family will be found. And don't worry, it won't in any way affect your ability to foster another, more compatible, pet.

Read more:
• Guide to adopting a pet
• How to choose a dog
• Slideshow: Canada's cutest pets

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