Tips to Be a Successful Foster Parent

The thought of taking care of an adorable dog or playful cat for a short while may seem like a breeze, but we want to make sure each of our foster homestays is providing the comfort and care they should. The tips below will help prepare you to be a model foster parent.

1. Give your foster animal lots of attention and affection. The animal may have lived a difficult life before coming to your home. Your love and attention will help to heal the animal’s physical and psychological wounds.
2. Learn as much as you can about pet care. Before bringing your foster animal home, learn about caring for that animal as much as possible. Read about feeding, grooming and training. Study the warning signs that may indicate the animal needs veterinary attention.
3. Make your home pet-friendly. Before you bring your foster animal home, make sure you “pet-proof” your home. For example, remove poisonous plants and protect furnishings. Keep the animal’s room warm and comfortable. Also, take steps to prevent the animal from escaping.
4. Enjoy being a foster parent. Although fostering takes a great deal of time and commitment, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience. You are temporarily providing a needy animal with a loving home and helping that animal become more suitable for adoption into a responsible, lifelong family.