Fostering is a rewarding experience where YOU get to care for and love  a lucky 4F dog or cat while they wait to be adopted.  Fostering can be either short-term or long-term but unforgetable and life-saving.  The animals in foster care receive the necessary medical care from 4F. All you need to supply is LOVE and a temporary home while they wait for their forever family.

 

What is fostering?

 

Foster parents are volunteers who take 4F animals into their homes and care
for them until they are ready for adoption. It’s a great way to volunteer from
home. Since we do not operate a shelter, all of the animals we accept into our
organization must be fostered. Animals that come into our organization include:
 

•  Puppies old enough to be eating on their own.

 

•  Puppies/Dogs that need socialization because they are very shy, have never
    been around people, or have been abused or neglected.

 

•  “Senior” dogs

 

•   Dogs with special medical needs.

 

•   Dogs with perceived behavioral problems

 

•   Dogs with no issues at all; they simply need a temporary home until they are adopted

 

•   Nursing mothers with her pups

 

We work with our foster parents to determine what kind of dog they are comfortable fostering! While some volunteers end up adopting a foster pet, please note that the foster program is not for people who want to “try out” an animal prior to adoption. It is intended to provide one-on-one attention in a home environment for animals, in order to best evaluate them and prepare them for adoption.   

    

 

What would I be expected to do as a foster parent?

 

•  Provide a clean nurturing, indoor home for the animal, pending adoption.

•  Bring the animal to a 4F approved veterinarian for exams, vaccinations and other routine treatment.

•  Give medication as needed.  We teach the inexperienced!

 

 

Would I be responsible for finding the animal a permanent home?

 

No – all animals available for adoption are posted on our website and various other social media outlets. We receive and process the adoption applications for our animals.  Our screening process includes a written application, a phone/ in-person interview and reference checks.

 

 

What if I already have pets of my own?

 

We do recommend that foster animals be kept isolated from household animals for two to three weeks.  If, after that time, you want to introduce the foster to your household, we do provide information on how to properly integrate new animals.  Please be aware, that 4F is not responsible for any veterinary expenses for your own personal animals, should injury or illness occur via the foster animal.

 

 

How long would I keep the animal?

 

There are many variables when fostering; they could be in your home for one week or two months. If you are only willing or able to foster for a couple of weeks, this program probably isn’t for you. Please carefully consider the commitment and be sure all family members understand what this program entails.

 

 

Would I be responsible for my foster animal’s vet expenses?

 

No. 4F will provide and pay for the animal’s veterinary care and medications, as provided by a 4F veterinarian. 4F can also loan kennels, food/water bowls, and carriers if needed. The foster parent is expected to purchase food for the foster pet, unless the pet is on a prescription diet.  We do ask that quality foods be fed to our foster animals.

 

 

How do I become a foster parent?

 

You can apply to be a foster parent by downloading our foster application  via the icon below and emailing us at info@4fanimalrescue.org.

 

 

 

 

 

Fostering saves two lives – the animal who is being fostered and the space it frees up for another animal.