Thinking about fostering?

[Fluffy_Guinea]

Well I have been thinking about it and I really want to do something to help and help find these animals find homes and so this idea poped into my head why not foster I just have to convince my parents. On a more serious note I know that me and my family mostly me are responsible for the animal us and no one else not the shelter only us. But I is there anything I should be aware of any things I haven't thought about and I will think over and this isn't about me at all it's for the animals I'm not trying to look good or anything I really want to help.

[piggly wiggly]

When you foster, usually, but it depends on the group, you will be responsible for food, hay, litter, every day stuff. They cover vet expenses,but the foster family is usually responsible for everday needs. So be prepared for these expenses.

[Fluffy_Guinea]

I don't think the expenses will be the problem I think it would be my cat she can be very aggressive at times even towards us. She'll walk up to my dog and bite her in the face for no reason at all. Luckily Casey is a very laid back and sweet dog. I have no idea what to do if were going to foster she needs to stop biting and if she bit the wrong dog....any suggestions?

[LonePig]

Are you talking about fostering guinea pigs, or dogs? If it's guinea pigs, then you would obviously need to make sure all cages were cat proof, and if your cat is that aggresive, I would keep him away from the guinea pigs altogether.

If you are thinking of fostering dogs, and your cat is that agressive, you may want to reconsider, because all dogs are definately not so understanding.

[Fluffy_Guinea]

True but is there anything I could do to stop her from biting some kind of humane method?

[Fluffy_Guinea]

I have been thinking and I canceled out fostering a dog or another cat due to the fact that Lily seems to enjoy biting. Don't get me wrong though I love Lily to death and would do anything for her. So when my brother moves out I was thinking that I could move into the basement (he took a room down there I don't know why I guess he just wanted to live in the basement). There's tons of room so I could just keep my pigs in my room and the fosters outside. I would just have to get a heater and do something about all the spiders erugh.

Anyway I was wondering how far away exactly do the cages have to be for quarantine I know in seprate rooms but if they are just outside of the room not close to the door. But would that be alright nothing is offical. I don't even have any pigs of my own yet but maybe later when my pigs are settled in and I've got down a routine I could start fostering.

[Susan9608]

You should talk to whatever agency you want to foster with. I'm sure they all have guidelines and stuff they want you to follow, and those things could play a large part in your decision to foster and what animals you decide to foster.

With dogs and cats, it's not always just a matter of taking the animal in and providing it shelter; you often also have to participate in "adoption days", which means providing transportation for the animal to a site so potential adopters can do a "meet and greet." You may also have to be able to acommodate visitors to your home to allow potential adoptors the opportunity to meet the animal.

Make sure your parents are truly on board with all of this before you agree to do it. It's very hard on a rescue if you have to back out at the last moment.

[aqh88]

Keep in mind alot of rescues and nearly all shelters won't allow someone under 18 to foster and even then may not allow you to foster if you are not the primary owner or renter of the house. Your parents will likely have to be the main caretakers and make all the contacts. You would just be considered to be helping out. Especially with dogs since they often need more attention, training, and rehabilitation. I would imagine more places would be a little more relaxed with guinea pigs once you prove you have the proper setup for them but it still may be an issue.

I would suggest only doing it if you have a seperate room from the cat, dog, and other pigs. It could save alot of potential headaches and possible injuries.

[Fluffy_Guinea]

Thanks and my dog never goes down stairs and would never harm any animal. My cat does but she just puts her paws in the cage, oh and if the cage is raised pretty high with coroplast she might not be able to. I'm just asking just in case we ever consider fostering in the future.