June is Foster A Pet Month. Many of our beloved patients were fosters at one point. Fostering fills an incredibly important role when it comes to animal welfare. A local Georgetown, IN vet goes over some information on fostering in this article.

Benefits Of Fostering

There are many reasons pets may need to be fostered. Young kittens and puppies may still need round the clock care. Then, when they get a little older, they may need training and socialization. Animals may also need to be fostered as they recuperate from illness, injury, or malnutrition. Some foster pets need medical care, socialization, and/or training, while others may just need a place to stay for a little while.

Requirements

You don’t need a degree for fostering pets, and you don’t need a big house or a huge yard. You do need to have enough room to comfortably house your furry guests. If you have other pets, you may need to keep your furry pals separated part or even all the time. Most shelters and rescues have some type of training, and can provide any answers you may need. However, it’s also usually best if you’ve had pets before, so you have some experience. You will need to consider your budget, too. Though some shelters will provide some supplies, fosters usually provide things like food, toys, and treats out of pocket.

Considerations

As far as downsides go, there really is just one big one with fostering: saying goodbye. It’s very easy to get attached to a cute and lovable pet that you have been caring for! It can be very rewarding to watch that dog or cat grow and thrive with good care, but it’s not always easy to let go. If you think—or know—that you may get too attached, volunteering may be a better fit for you.

Foster Fails

You may have heard the term ‘foster fail’ before. This is what happens when people get so attached to the pets they’ve been caring for that they end up adopting them. This isn’t a bad thing; after all, the whole point is to find these pets loving homes. However, the plan is usually for the pets to be listed for adoption! Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns about your pet’s health or care. As your Georgetown, IN animal clinic, we’re here to help!