Advice: To foster or adopt?

[Scout.Layne]

Hello -

I am about to be a first time guinea pigs owner/foster mom. But I am having trouble deciding whether to foster or to adopt. There are pros and cons to each side. So I was wondering what ya'll thought.

By the way...The shelter that I have contacted said that this website is one of the best ones that there is.

Also, I have looked at the shelter's website on petfinder and there is a few piggies that I would love to give forever homes. But if I foster then the shelter provides a cage, accessories, and pays all vet bills. They also would give me the option to adopt a piggy before they would open it to the public.

I just can't decide. Does anyone out there have an answer for me?

[Paula]

As you know, both have their advantages.

Fostering is a great way to give a temporary home to otherwise homeless animals. You have to assume virtually no financial responsibility for the animals - you have veterinary and other costs covered for you by the shelter.

On the other hand, when they do find a permanent home, you have to give them up.

I suppose it depends a lot on your personal situation and what you're ready for.

[Ibbet]

If it was me I would foster first to see how it goes and when it comes time to "give them up" if was too attached I would adopt them and if I wasn't I would foster more.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck!

[PiggieMom]

I agree that it depends on whether or not you think you can handle saying goodbye so often to the animals you care for. If it were me, I'd try fostering first. You can see what it's like to care for pigs, how much time and effort and emotional investment it is. You can even gauge cost, even if you aren't the one paying for things. You'd both discover if you like having pigs and if you like fostering at the same time. If you don't like fostering, but like the pigs then you can adopt a pair of your own. And obviously if pig care is too much to you, you only have to wait until your fosters have been adopted to move on.

[katiewilson]

The hardest part about fostering is ultimately giving them up, no question. I turn into a big sobbing mess because I feel like I've become the caretaker for these little babies, and I can't escape the notion that they think I'm now abandoning them. Of course, that's not the case, so I'm recovered and ready to foster again in no time.

For now, I'm continuing to foster because it suits my current schedule and living arrangements. But I imagine one day, when the perfect little creature wanders into my life, I will undoubtedly adopt.

Like others have suggested, I think starting out by fostering is a smart way to go. It's temporary, which can be convenient, but it can also become a permanent thing when you're ready for it. Good luck!

[Scout.Layne]

Thanks for all of the advice. I was sort of leaning towards fostering anyways.

Now I just need to find a place to live and I'll be set to start fostering. I'm so excited!