At the moment we are a 100% foster based rescue. We wouldn’t be able to run our rescue without the generous support of those individuals willing to open up their homes. We love that the use of fosters allows our animals to experience the love they deserve while they wait for their forever home. A warm snuggly bed (whether yours, or their own), lots of cuddles and a belly full of food are the simple things fosters provide, and they make such a difference. In a foster home our animals have more one on one time. This really helps us learn everything we can about our animals, especially when it comes to their personalities and quirks. The more we know about an animal the better chance we have at placing them in the perfect forever home. One of the most important things we ask of all fosters is that they treat our animals the same as they would their own.
Can I work full time and foster?
We work with dogs, cats and small animals. Each one requiring a different level of attention, effort, and care. If you would like to foster but are worried about your busy schedule, you may be better suited for fostering a cat or small animal. These animals, although still needing daily physical time with you, are usually more independent and rely on litter boxes. Dogs and puppies require a more flexible schedule. Dogs in general are more social beings and require some extra human time and attention. Young puppies need multiple potty breaks throughout the day, and to help with potty training progress we ask that they be let out at least every 2-3 hours. We prefer not to use pee pads as this can cause setbacks with potty training. Even our adult dogs should not have to hold their bladders for more than 6 hours at a time. Imagine you having to hold it that long! Wouldn’t be a good feeling. So, if you think you may be too busy to dedicate the amount of time needed, fostering a small animal or cat may be the best option for you!
I don’t own a house. Can I still foster?
We do not discriminate against those who live in condos, apartments or houses with unfenced backyards (for certain animals). We also understand most individuals work 8 hour days. Depending on your plans for letting the animal out during the day, that will not affect your application for certain animals. We do accept foster applications from those who rent or lease, however we must speak with your landlord to ensure they allow animals.
What is typically expected of a foster?
Fosters must be very flexible. We require them to be able to initially pick our animals up, take them to vet appointments/meet and greets and to meet up with the animal’s new family when the time comes. We ask that our fosters put aside a small amount of time each day to work with their foster animal whether that’s with training, handling or correcting behavioural issues. Having the use of an animal friendly vehicle (whether your own or not) is a must. If there was ever an emergency, we need to know we can rely on our fosters to get our animals to the emergency vet ASAP. We send all of our fosters strict guidelines which must be followed. Fosters will need to understand that all animals will still be under Salty Animal Rescue’s possession and all decisions will be made by the rescue. We will provide you with a detailed informational booklet which includes everything there is to know when it come to caring for an animal. We love to receive as many photos and updates from our fosters as possible! In fact we would love to hear from you daily. We create support groups between our fosters and founders (Kate and Karly) and they are there 24/7 to help answer any questions you may need. We provide all of our fosters with whatever supplies they require to properly care for our animals. In regards to the animal’s behaviours and temperament, we want as much input as possible. After a week with the animal we begin having fosters fill out an assessment questionnaire. This helps us make sure each animal is placed in the perfect home.
What kind of support will I receive from Salty Animal Rescue while Fostering?
We will provide you with a detailed informational booklet which includes everything there is to know when it come to caring for an animal. We love to receive as many photos and updates from our fosters as possible! Infact we would love to hear from you daily. We create support groups between our fosters and founders (Kate and Karly) and they are there 24/7 to help answer any questions you may need. We provide all of our fosters with whatever supplies they require to properly care for our animals. In regards to the animal’s behaviours and temperament, we want as much input as possible. After a week with the animal we begin having fosters fill out an assessment questionnaire. If Karly and Kate haven’t met that animals already we will arrange a time for you to meet with them one on one so they can personally come and see how their animals are doing. This helps us make sure each animal is placed in the perfect home.
I want to adopt an animal but I’d like to foster them first
We will be offering foster to adopt programs. You will have 2 weeks with your new pet (Along as they aren’t already placed in a foster home) to decide if you feel like they would be the best fit for you and your family. If after the two weeks are up and you decide you don’t want to move forward with the adoption, we just ask that you continue to foster the animal for us until we find its forever home. Please make sure you are ready for the commitment of fostering the animal beforehand as it can take up to a month for them to be adopted, and we prefer not to move the animal around from home to home.
I want to foster but I think it will be too hard.
Fostering may seem like a lot of work but it is one of the most rewarding things you will ever experience. Yes it’s always hard to say goodbye, but when you finally see them with their new family it’s the best feeling in the world. Seeing your foster animal being loved and happy in their forever home makes it all worth it. If you are wanting to adopt but aren’t ready to commit, fostering is a great way to start.
If you are interested in Fostering with Salty Animal Rescue apply now!