FOSTER PROGRAM

Do you love animals and are you a caring person who would like to help a shelter animal? Would you consider becoming a SOAR foster parent? A foster parent would welcome a shelter animal into their home and care for this animal until it was adopted or until you felt it was time to return the animal to SOAR. This is a very important program because all animals do better in homes and away from the stresses and threats of infection at the shelter.

By becoming a foster parent you will be showing love and helping to further socialize that animal thus enhancing his/her 'adoptability'. Also you will be able to give important feedback to SOAR concerning the animal's behavior and SOAR can work on changing any 'bad habits'. Our dogs especially need to get away from 'shelter life' and be in an environment where there is more human contact and where they can learn and practice all the skills that will make them desirable pets. Won't you consider taking one of our dogs or cats home with you for a little while?

Sometimes we have a need for someone to foster kittens whose mother has been killed and the kittens require bottle-feeding. This would be temporary just until they can be put on regular food.

Our foster program also helps shelter animals who have been in the shelter adoption program for a long time. SOAR will place a shelter pet into a foster home to give them a different 'venue' from which to be adopted.

Each foster parent chooses the animal(s) that they will foster.

To become a foster parent SOAR will want to be certain that the animal will be kept indoors and leashed or in a fenced-in yard when outdoors. Our main concern is that dogs will not be chained or allowed to run loose. SOAR will want to approve the environment before placing an animal there. And we would like for you to speak once a week with our foster director just to provide feedback and assurance that the animal is doing well. When you return the animal we will ask you what the experience was like and for information about the animal's behavior that will want to be known by not only SOAR, but also by any potential adopter for foster parent.

Sometimes foster parents will transport their ‘fosteree’ to adoption fairs and stay with their dog or cat so that they can talk to and answer questions that potential adopters may have. No one will know the animal better than the foster parent and this knowledge is very important to potential adopters.

You will not be responsible for the vet bills of any animal that you foster; they will be the responsibility of SOAR and any sponsor that the animal may be fortunate enough to have. We want to encourage fostering and this is one way that we can do this. The foster parent will provide food and love for the animal.

Before you decide to be a SOAR foster parent, consider whether you have the time. Foster animals are "special" and cannot be left alone for long periods of time like your regular pets. Also consider whether you have the support of the whole family, and whether you will be able to "let go" when the perfect adopter comes along!

Please help SOAR by becoming a foster parent. It will be a very rewarding experience.