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Michelle Fournier
Once you've engaged your community in search of foster parents and have started to pique people’s interest, it's important to be prepared for questions, concerns and considerations. What generally comes next is this number one objection; “I can’t foster, I’ll get too attached and won’t be able to adopt the pet out”, we get it. And, many of us have been there! However, you can help quell that objection and angst by offering support and information.
Many folks new to Foster don’t truly understand how the pet pipeline works, and how every single space created in a shelter allows a pet from the streets the opportunity to take that shelter spot and find their way to a home. With every foster comes one less euthanized pet, this is a huge motivating factor in the step towards becoming a pet foster parent.
Once you have overcome potential pet foster parent objections, it’s time to start matchmaking for shelter pet and foster parent. Just as matchmaking plays a critical role in matching shelter pets to forever homes, the same holds true for a successful foster match.
Things to consider when matching a foster and pet:
Lifestyle Schedules
- This is represented by activity level, outdoor time, work hours to free time, essentially how much time, effort and energy can your foster parent realistically spend with their foster pet. Understanding that someone with a hectic work schedule, who isn’t necessarily outdoorsy, or active, may make for a better adult or senior cat foster than a puppy foster.
Have Had Pets Previously
- Though not a deal breaker by any stretch, folks interested in fostering who have had tangible first hand experience taking care of pets successfully make for great future pet foster parents.
Clearly Understand the Responsibility of the Role of Foster Parent
- Preparing your foster parents for what to expect is the single best way of reducing returns and preventing stressful home situations. By clearly identifying expectations, identifying possibilities as well as best preparing for the unexpected arms the foster parent with the tools to handle the role of pet fostering successfully.
Finally, reduce the opportunity of negative surprises for potential pet foster parents by being wholly transparent about the process and potential pitfalls, as well as the incredible high associated with helping animals. You accomplish this through outstanding communication from start to finish, a dedicated Shelter contact for Fosters to feel supported, and resources for your fosters to rely on as they go through their foster parenting journey.
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