How to Become a Foster Carer

WHAT IS FOSTER CARE FOR ANIMALS?
The definition of foster is the temporary removal of an animal from the Lort Smith Animal Hospital to care for until the animal is ready to be placed up for adoption.

WHO NEEDS FOSTER CARE?

Most of the animals requiring foster care are kittens. They often come into the shelter very young and need to attain a weight of 800 gms before they can be desexed and made available for adoption.

Sometimes we have a mum and kittens which need fostering, less often we will have injured animals that need fostering. Very rarely we may have some underage puppies needing some care.

HOW LONG IS THE FOSTERING PERIOD?

Foster care is required for varying lengths of time, from 1 week to 6 weeks depending on the age and size of the kitten.  Being a foster carer can be flexible, you could take on some kittens for 3 weeks, have a break for a month and then take on some more kittens – its totally up to you.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A FOSTER CARER?

Animals going out to foster care need a safe, secure loving temporary home. Kittens need to be regularly fed and kept in a clean environment. The socialisation of the kittens is equally as important as their physical environment. This means the kittens need lots of handling and exposure to different noises, people, surfaces etc. Kittens learn the most during the first 9 weeks of life and proper socialisation will ensure the kitten grows up without behavioural problems.

It is not necessary that foster carers are home all day, kittens need a minimum of 2 hours quality interaction per day.

Children must be supervised with the animals at all time, very young children need special supervision as they may inadvertently injure the animal by dropping or stepping on it.

We would expect that most foster carers would have their own pets. Common sense will be needed to ensure that tiny kittens are kept separate from dogs and even some adult cats that perhaps will not be too pleased about the new temporary arrivals. It is very important that all your own animals are up to date with their vaccinations.

Good places to keep kittens are in spare bedrooms, ensuites or laundries. It is preferable that the kittens do get a good run around the home daily to assist with their socialisation.

Young kittens do have difficulty in regulating their temperature hence it is difficult to house them outside, however a well set up garage may be suitable.

WHAT WILL THE HOSPITAL PROVIDE?

The Lort Smith Animal Hospital will provide all food, bedding, litter trays, bowls and toys for your fostered animal. We will also provide unlimited advice and support and all veterinary care.

The Foster Carer will be responsible for collecting the animal, returning the animal to the hospital for weekly check ups, feeding, cleaning, socialising and caring for the animal and contacting the coordinator if the animal is unwell.

WHAT IF MY FOSTERED ANIMALS GET SICK?

Young kittens do get sick, a very common illness is cat flu, which is extremely contagious to cats. If any fostered animals develop any unusual symptoms they must be returned to the Hospital immediately. Foster carers will be able to phone and get advise from the Foster Care Coordinator or from any of our vet nursing staff, with availability from 8m to midnight every day of the year.

Unfortunately some kittens will get very ill with cat flu or other illness and a veterinarian may decide that euthanasia is the best option In order for the Lort Smith Animal Hospital to operate as a Shelter, we must abide by the applicable DPI Code of Practise. Animals, which have chronic health or behavioural problems, are not allowed to be rehomed.  Understanding and agreeing to this aspect of foster care and shelter operation is often the most challenging for foster carers.

WHATS THE NEXT STEP?

So if you love animals, can offer a safe home environment, have time to play with kittens and understand the responsibilities of the role – you can apply to become a foster carer.

To become a foster carer you must:

• Attend an information night
• Read all the information provided
• Complete and return your Foster Carer Application
• Agree to a home visit
• Agree to a police check

Upon receipt of your complete application we will organise a home visit and then a police check. Once all checks have been completed we will contact you when some suitable fosters become available.

To find out when our next information night will be on, please email foster@lortsmith.com or call the cattery on 9328 3021.