Fostering

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent after you have read through this page, please complete the Foster Application online and our foster liaison will be in touch once the application is approved.  If you have any questions or difficulties please contact ccar.fosterliaison@gmail.com

We use foster homes because:

• They perform possibly our most important function: Rehabilitation
• WE ARE NOT A SHELTER so all animals are housed in peoples’ loving homes
• Rescued animals learn to live as a member of a family
• The more homes we have, the more animals we can accept and save

Become a foster parent because you can:

• Actually save or improve the life of an animal
• Enjoy an animal’s companionship without permanent commitment or cost
• Help a traumatized or abused animal realize life can be good
• Volunteer without any significant time commitment aside from snuggles
• Temporarily or permanently move the animal if your situation changes or you go on holiday
• Help prepare the animal for a loving permanent home

Cat’s Cradle provides:

• All food, litter, and everything else necessary.
• Coverage of all vet bills and medication
• Full-time support and advice on the health and welfare of your foster animal
• All initial screening of possible adopters; however, the foster parent is welcome to help

What are you committing to:

• Our ‘Foster Agreement‘ form provides a summary of what our foster parents commit to.

Concerns you may have about becoming a foster home:

• “I don’t have enough time.”
  Quality of time and not quantity is of prime importance in most fostering (and indeed adoption) situations. If you are away from home several hours a day, we will ensure that any animal you foster will be one who is fine in that situation.
• “I don’t have enough room.”
  This is only an issue if you have several pets who do not get along with other animals. Dogs, of course, have different requirements, but cats just need a spot on the back of the couch or a corner of your bed and a place for their food, water, and litter box.
• “My cat or dog does not like other cats or dogs.”
  This is a problem in some cases, but with time most will figure out the dynamics of a new animal invading their turf. Interestingly, many pets recognize and empathize with a foster animal and what it has been through. If this is impossible for your pets, perhaps you can use a spare room for the foster animal. This is always better than the situation most come from, i.e. living in a cage or fending for themselves outdoors.
• “I’m not sure how long I can foster or I may go out of town.”
  The length of time varies from an overnight emergency foster, to a day or two, to two or three months if the animal was badly traumatized. If your situation changes or you go on holiday, we will gladly take the animal back.
• “I will become too attached to the animal.”
  While this may be true, we often hear that one of the greatest joys of fostering is the knowledge that the beloved foster animal has a wonderful new home. You are then able to help another animal in desperate need! One of our most successful foster “moms” is Jane, a 9 year old girl, who said to her mom and dad that, although she would love to have more animals living with her all the time, she felt she could help many more by fostering them. Out of the mouths of babes……We hope more adults can have Jane’s outlook.

We hope that we have piqued your interest in joining our foster parent team, and are happy to answer any questions you may have pertaining to this important role.  Please email these to ccar.fosterliaison@gmail.com