Fostering – Other Q’s & A’s

How Do We Handle Out of Area Adoptions?

We’ve had some bad experiences adopting to people out of the area so in general, we will keep our adoptions reasonably local (within two hours of Crestview/FWB) unless the adopter is someone we know personally. It’s just a bit odd when someone is willing to travel several hours to adopt a “regular dog” or, if the dog is a super-premium type, we can easily find a local adopter. This isn’t written in stone, but if we do want to consider an unknown out-of-area adopter, we will do a thorough background check before approval.

What If My Foster Isn’t Getting Adopted?

Occasionally, we bring pets into the rescue who, for whatever reason, are not highly adoptable, or even, rarely, adoptable at all. It’s usually unintentional in that we discover their issues only after we have committed to them. It happens. Although we are often surprised when a dog or cat we have deemed unadoptable suddenly gets themselves adopted!

These situations are evaluated on a case by case basis to determine the best solution for all involved. Sometimes the foster family decides to keep the pet. But sometimes, especially in the case of aggression, a difficult decision must be made. Saving with Soul can’t take on unreasonable liability by adopting out animals we know to be dangerous, so if the foster family chooses not to keep an animal with aggression issues, we must consider euthanasia.

But let’s not dwell on that since it happens so rarely.

Our general policy is that if a pet has been in foster care for six months, we need to have a frank discussion with the foster to determine what’s going on. Let’s figure it out!

How Much Does Fostering Cost Me?

Being a foster family is not free – there will be costs involved, although we will strive to keep those to a minimum. We can provide most items you will need, including food (when available), flea prevention and linens. You can borrow a crate from us with a small deposit.

Crates

We highly encourage you to crate your foster animal when you are not at home, or otherwise can’t supervise him, to protect the foster, your pets and children and your property. If you do not have a crate, we will loan you one, but may require a refundable deposit. If you plan to foster long-term we recommend you purchase a “Mega-Crate” which is a heavy duty crate, almost impossible to break out of. The cost will be between $150 – $200 and you can probably sell it back to SWS or another foster in the future if you discontinue fostering. If you are interested in purchasing a Mega-Crate, let us know and we’ll point you in the right direction.

If a foster animal is left outside while home alone, they must have shelter, food, water and be in a secure fenced yard. Tie outs and chains are not allowed.

Vacation Coverage

If you are going on vacation or otherwise need help watching your foster pet, there will almost always be someone ready, willing and able to take over. BUT WE NEED NOTICE! Please don’t announce on Friday that you are leaving town on Saturday and need your foster moved. A week’s notice is appreciated; more, of course, is even better.

If you know someone personally who you would trust to watch your foster, that’s fine. Just let us know. Maybe they would like to join our merry little group.

Who Pays What?

When you foster for SWS, we can provide pretty much anything you need. Food (when available), treats, linens, flea and heartworm prevention, litter, crates (with deposit), collars, etc. Fosters typically provide their own bowls, leashes and bedding. We do not reimburse gasoline expenses in transporting fosters unless approved in advance.

What if I Fall in Love with my Foster?

It happens! And it’s called a “foster failure” when a foster family decides to keep their foster dog or cat permanently. Here are our general guidelines for adopting your foster pet:

1. You must complete our application and pay the pet’s regular adoption fee;
2. Although exceptions are made, we generally don’t allow fosters to “fail” on their first foster pet. We prefer that foster families rehome at least three of their fostered pets before adopting a foster. Questions? Ask!

If you are concerned that you won’t want to let your foster go when we’ve found a forever home for them, just know that it gets easier, especially after you 1) see the joy your foster brings to his or her new family, and 2) realize that now you can save another! But even if it does break your heart every time a foster leaves your home, isn’t it worth a few tears to save a life?