When you become a foster parent, you get to save the lives of animals every day. Foster families help provide the love and care our animals need and free up space at the shelter so we can help more animals. We are always in need of new foster families!
Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you to the Dorchester Paws Animal Shelter for helping us answer these questions.
What kind of animals need foster homes? Bottle baby kittens/puppies. Orphan kittens/puppies. Moms and kittens/puppies. Cats/Dogs with medical needs. Cats/Dogs who need socialization.Cats/Dogs who need a break from shelter life
What are my responsibilites as a foster? As a foster, your responsibilities are: To care for and love the animal until it is ready for adoption.
To provide food, water and shelter. To contact the foster manager if the animal becomes ill. To bring the your foster pet in for appointments and to meet potential adopters.
What does it cost to foster? We try our best to provide the tools you need to care for the animals. However, our foster program runs on donations so we cannot guarantee that we will always have supplies to offer. You may be asked to provide food, litter, toys, dishes, etc.
Can I foster if I work a full time? Yes! Many of our foster parents work full-time jobs. Some of our animals may need more round the clock care, such as bottle baby kittens and puppies. There are other animals who need a foster parent that will be just fine while you are away for the day.
Can I foster if I have my own pets? Yes! We do encourage you to keep your pets separate from your foster animals. This is the safest option for preventing the spread of disease and to reduce any chance of personality conflicts. We also understand that it can be difficult to keep animals totally separate from one another. You may choose whatever is best for your home. If you plan on integrating your fosters with your own pets, please talk with the foster coordinator or shelter manager to discuss appropriate introduction techniques.
How much time do I need to spend with my foster animal? The amount of time your foster animal needs each day will depend on their age, energy level, medical and behavioral needs. You should prepare to spend at least one hour a day socializing, playing, feeding and caring for your foster pet.
How long will my foster animal stay in my care? The length of stay is different for every animal, depending on the reason they need a foster home. We try our best to work with you to find an animal that fits your family. If you need to bring your foster animal back at any time, please contact the foster co-ordinator or shelter manager.
Can I adopt my foster animal? Most definitely! Foster parents have first choice of adopting their foster animals. Adoption fees will apply.