You may feel ready to foster a second pet, but will your current pet easily accept a new companion? June is National Foster a Pet Month, so you may be extra motivated to add a new furry companion to your household. But how do you know if fostering a pet is right for you and your family? Here are some questions you may want to ask yourself before applying to become a pet foster parent.
Q: Do I have time to take care of an additional pet?
A: Foster pets can require a great deal of care and attention before finding their forever home. Some foster pets are not placed on an adoptable-pet list because they have medical issues that need treatment first, or they may require training, socialization, or rehabilitation to become fit for a new family. In addition, puppies and kittens naturally require more care than adult pets, and senior pets can also demand large amounts of your time. Ensure you understand your foster pet’s needs before committing to their care.
Question: Will my current pet accept a new pet?
Answer: Although you may love the thought of adding more pets, your current pet may not feel the same way. If your cat or dog is not a fan of other animals, fostering a pet may cause too much household discord.
Q: Can I foster a pet without becoming attached?
A: One of the hardest parts of fostering pets is resisting falling in love. You can so easily become attached to a pet whom you have loved and cared for, and you may wind up with a house full of “foster failures.” That may be fine for your situation, but many families cannot foster unlimited pets, so knowing how to prevent yourself from becoming attached to your foster pet may be necessary.
After reviewing these questions, and you think you’re ready to move forward to the fostering process, there’s one more thing you have to make sure of: whether or not your current pet is up to date on vaccinations and parasite preventives. Ensuring your current pet is up to date will help avoid potential disease and parasite transmission. Contact our team for an appointment for your pet.