Becoming A Foster Family

Each spring and summer, hundreds of puppies and kittens that are too young for adoption are brought to the Humane Society of Central Washington. These babies need foster homes to provide them with care until they are old enough to be spayed/neutered and be made available for adoption. Our organization relies solely on Foster Families for this purpose. Time commitments can range from one to eight weeks. Additionally, during this busy time of year our organization also cares for a higher number of adult animals with colds. These animals need foster homes as well for one to three weeks. All you need is a spare room, some spare time, and a love for animals. We provide all supplies and any necessary medications.

The care that dedicated Foster Families provide is invaluable, both to the animals fostered and the people that adopt them. You can foster as much or as little as you like, and we need foster homes for a wide variety of animals - kittens, puppies, cats, dogs, and an occasional small & furry animal! Fostering is both a rewarding and enriching experience; it's also great for families or individuals who love animals but cannot commit to having a full-time animal companion.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE BECOMING A FOSTER PARENT

Are You Able To Separate Your Foster Animals From Your Own Pets?

For the safety and health of our animals and yours, we ask that you keep the foster animals separated from your own pets until you have determined that the foster animal is healthy and well-socialized.

Are You Willing To Assume The Risk Of Exposing Your Animals To A Foster Animal That May Be Harboring An Illness?

No matter how careful we are there is always a chance that a foster animal could become ill and your pets would be put at risk. It is mandatory that all of your own pets be current with their vaccinations. However, some diseases have no vaccinations available to prevent them.

Are You Emotionally Prepared To Handle The Death Of A Foster Animal?

We cannot predict the future health of many animals that go into foster care. If a foster animal becomes sick or displays inappropriate aggression, it may be necessary to euthanize the animal. This can be a very emotional and heartbreaking time. We will make every effort to have a staff member discuss this with you if it becomes necessary to euthanize a foster animal due to health related problems.

Are You Able To Spend Quality Time With Your Foster Animal?

Foster animals, especially puppies and kittens, can be very time-consuming and demanding. Socialization for all of our pets is just as important as feeding.

Are You Able To Make The Required Time Commitment To Foster A Shelter Cat Or Dog?

The time commitment varies depending upon each animal’s situation. If you are unable to meet the time commitment needed to care for either a dog or cat, then please do not agree to become foster parents. Our animals deserve and need foster parents they can count on.

Do You Understand That All Animals In The Foster Care Program Remain The Property Of The Humane Society?

We appreciate your willingness to help. Please keep in mind that although you have temporary care of an animal, it still belongs to the Humane Society and decisions regarding your foster animal must always be made with the Humane Society’s staff.

FINDING YOUR FOSTER ANIMAL A HOME

Bring Your Foster Animal To The Shelter

We encourage you to bring your foster animal to the shelter on a Saturday or any busy day and talk to potential adopters about your “Baby”. You, better than anyone else will be able to find that pet the perfect home. Please pre-arrange with the staff at least two days in advance if you plan to do this

Humane Society Of Central Washington Website

You could use your writing skills and write up a description of your Foster Animals' characteristics, temperament, likes and dislikes, and any other information you believe would help a potential adopter to decide on adopting your Foster Animal.

Local Bulletin Boards

Please use bulletin boards located at vet offices, grocery stores, or other retail locations where you are allowed to post notices. Be sure to include a picture and description of your foster animal. This is excellent for often times hundreds of people will see and read about your animal.

Newspaper Classified Ads

You may place a classified ad in the newspaper, but you are responsible for the cost. We have had success with ads in the newspaper so it is certainly worth trying. Keep the ad short and direct; include the only the most important information, such as if the animal is housebroken, good with children, etc…

Arrange An Offsite Adoption

Pre-arrange and take your foster animal to PetSmart, Petco, or other animal friendly locations to get your animal the maximum exposure. You must get prior approval from the Humane Society staff before making such arrangements.

Exposure, Exposure, Exposure.

Once your animal is ready to be adopted, get him out in the public’s eye. Take him for walks on the Greenway, picnic with him in the park, shop with him at the local pet stores and when someone stops to admire him, let them know he’s available for adoption through the Humane Society and proceed to tell them about all his good qualities.

OFF-SITE ADOPTION ETIQUETTE FOR FOSTER FAMILIES

Dogs

Be sure that your foster dog can handle being in a stressful situation like an off-site location where there are crowds of people and other animals.
Make sure that you bring the appropriate adoption paperwork for the dog (s) you are taking.
Please identify yourself to management/event organizers upon arrival.
Keep Your Dog Under Control At All Times! You can achieve this by keeping your dog on a short leash. Never let your dog go up to a customer unasked. Never let your dog go up to another dog. If another dog comes up to your dog, please ask the owner politely to remove their dog from your area. If the owner ignores your request, please move to another area. We want to avoid dogfights at all costs!
Do not let your dog jump on people or property.
Pick up any feces that your dog may leave outside. Promptly clean up any accidents your dog may have inside the store.

Cats

Be sure that your foster cat can handle being in a stressful situation like an off-site location where there are crowds of people and other animals.
Always bring your cat in a carrier and make sure that you bring the appropriate adoption paperwork for the cat(s) you are taking.
Please identify yourself to management/event organizer upon arrival.
Do not let people pet your foster cat if it exhibits the following signs: flattened ears, hiding in the back of the cage, growling or hissing. These signs indicate that your foster cat is stressed and may bite. Instead, remove your foster cat as soon as possible and try again another time or rely on a different method of advertising your foster cat.