Fostering pets are on the rise – and for good reason. Over the course of the past year, more pets were adopted as people sought companionship and to make their lives more fulfilling by giving animals in need of a home.
Fostering a pet doesn’t necessarily mean you will adopt them – it simply means that you are providing a temporary home to pets who may not have a suitable space in shelters. It can be a good trial period to see if you are ready to be a pet owner, or to see if your children are ready to take on the responsibilities of looking after a pet.
Still unsure about what it takes to be a foster pet parent? Check out these questions to see if you’re ready!
1. Are you able to commit to a minimum time period?
Just like you and me, our furry friends feel better when they stay in a familiar environment. Usually, there is a minimum fostering period of two months for the foster pet to adapt to your home, and minimise moving between unfamiliar places before they are adopted.
Before you foster a pet, animal shelter volunteers will interview you to better understand your lifestyle, as this helps them decide what kind of pet would be most suitable for you to foster. Over the course of the foster duration, volunteers of the shelter or organisation will also conduct regular checks to ensure the continued safety and welfare of fostered animals.
2. Has everyone in your house agreed to you fostering a pet?
Fostering a pet is not just about you, but also about the people who have to live with the foster pet. The people living in the same household should understand the commitment involved when it comes to taking care of the animal, and your landlord should be aware of your fostering if you are renting a home.
If you have children, they should be supervised while interacting with the foster pet. Pets are generally well-behaved, but they might change behaviour suddenly if they are aggravated, hence it’s always good to keep an eye out.
3. Do you have prior experience with pets?
It’s okay to have no experience, though it helps if you are familiar with looking after pets. Some animal shelters like Save Our Street Dogs (SOSD) provide training for those interested in trying out pet fostering for the first time.
Most animals in need of fostering are street animals, be it from old dogs and puppies to cats, and all of them simply need some special care and attention. However, different animals will require varying levels of attention: a puppy will require firm handling and time for toilet training; a sick dog will require you to help feed medications or bring it to vet visits.
It’s important to communicate with the animal shelter about your level of experience so they can find an animal that best fits you, too!
4. Is your home foster pet-friendly?
If you’re a first-time foster pet parent, there are pet supplies you’ll need. It’s a good idea to check with the animal shelter on how to pet-proof your house for their safety – and yours!
If you have existing pets, you should check if they are able to get along with other pets and that their vaccinations are up to date. You should also check if your neighbours are accepting of pets, as neighbours who hate pets might try anything to get rid of them, which might result in the foster pet’s premature removal and affect their rehabilitation process.
5. I’m in! Where do I sign up to foster pets?
There are many animal shelters in Singapore dedicated towards giving each animal a good home. Places you can approach include:
- Animal Lovers League
- Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD)
- Oasis Second Chance Animal Shelter (OSCAS)
- Save Our Street Dogs (SOSD)
- The Cat Welfare Society
- The House Rabbit Society of Singapore
- The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
- Voices for Animals (VFA)
Many animal shelters have limited space and some do not have specific buildings to house these animals. Volunteers of animal shelters are also always in demand, as most lack volunteers to help in treating, feeding, and cleaning these animals or their habitats for an extended period of time. As such, these animal shelters and strays on the streets depend on foster pet parents to provide a shelter home for these animals until they are ready to be adopted.
Ready to be a foster pet parent?
Pets have the ability to change our lives and make us happier, and this is also true the other way round! Fostering can help prepare animals for a life in a caring home environment, so if you are able and interested in giving them a second chance to be adopted – why not?
