Foster Care for Domestic Animals

At our local shelter you can volunteer to foster an animal when say, they are injured or sick and need to be under care in a home and such...
Have any of you done this kind of this?

At the beginning of August I'm moving into a duplex owned by my mother and she said she'd allow me to do this if I want to, but first I'd like to know what I'd be in for:

Would that be a problem if I already have a cat, and plan on getting a dog?
Would I have to spend time away from work to care for the animals? (I would, actually)

Etc.

I am really interested in doing it, it sounds like a good thing to do.

I plan on getting a St. Bernard puppy around the same time, however, so I'm not sure how well that would work out

 

A lot of times they need foster homes for animals because they sometimes prefer for them to be the sole animal for various reasons. That's not always the case. Probably more prevelent is that the animal shelters are too full.
As for work, how much do you work?
It's not good to leave any pets unattended for too long of a period.
Some shelters are more picky about foster homes than others, though.
You mentioned that you'll be living in a duplex? Some shelters have requirments about the size of home and or yard. You don't want too many animals in a little space.
It's an awesome thing to consider. I always feel terrible for leaving animals in the shelter in their little cages.

 

Well for this particular shelter, you can volunteer for what you want to do, what you think you can handle. Because I'd be living in a duplex, I'd probably only volunteer to foster small animals like cats, rabbits, gerbils, etc. and depending on what kind of animal, only 1-2 at a time. If it's something like gerbils I could do more than one, but if it were a cat, I'd only do one, as I already have one of my own.

Right now I work 8 hours a day, Monday through Friday, but certain things can be arranged. Because I work for my dad, some time off wouldn't be hard to get, and if I needed the hours, if I OK'ed it with the shelter I could even bring the animal to work with me... I've had my cat and dog in here several times while my dad was selling the house, and/or if one of them was sick.

This won't happen until summer, but it's something I want to start thinking about.

 

I must say that being a foster parent is simply the best! I have found in the past few years of fostering animals from the local shelter that it is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done in this life. It is good to see you going into it with your eyes open and that you are aware of the space and time requirements it may require too.

Here are some pictures of my smallest foster dogs, who are now in loving homes and yet still remember to send me a christmas card every year.

This is Penny Pup


This is Spirit, pronounced "Spirwit"


This is Emma playing Rin Tin Tin and showing off her new collar



The very best of wishes to you in your fostering endeavors!

 

Oh, how fun! We've talked about becoming foster pet-parents once we have a basment as well. (no, we wouldn't house them down there... but we need the room upstairs before we can take on more pets)

As far as other pets in the house, I think it depends on the pet. From what I understand, foster homes are usually needed when a pet has "special needs," whether that's a medicine, special diet, or perhaps needs extra one-on-one time to help with "issues" they may have from a previous experience. I'd talk to the shelter you want to work with, and just explain your circumstances. Maybe you wouldn't be able to take on a pet that needs special help, but I'm sure they'd be able to house plenty of pets with you all the same.
love,
mom