Contact Us
Hardin Metro SPCA
Report Animal Cruelty:
731.727.5941
Email:
hmspca@charter.net
Address:
P.O. Box 625
Savannah, TN
38372-0625
Business Phone:
731.925.SPCA (7722) |
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Become a Foster Family
One of the critical volunteer positions for any animal welfare organization is the foster home. Foster families provide a home environment while evaluating the dog/cat's personality and behavior around other dogs and pets, adults, and children. By observing and reporting on the dog/cat's personality, attitude, and temperament, the foster home is able to help our foster coordinator place the hound in the right home. A foster dog/cat may be in the foster home for any period of time from a few days to several months or even a year, depending upon how long you have agreed to foster, the age of the dog/cat, the time of year, the amount of eligible adoptive families, and the general temperament and health of the dog/cat.
The dog/cats often need to learn socialization skills. Housebreaking, leash-training, separation anxiety, shyness and fear, jumping on people and other issues are among the types of manners aimed for. While not expected to handle serious problems, the foster home can help train the dog/cat to become a better pet and more adoptable. We will try to assist you in helping the dog/cat through any difficult stage.
Hardin Metro SPCA pays for necessary medical expenses such as vaccinations, heartworm testing, spaying or neutering. Foster homes provide the dog/cat with the essentials such as food and water, but also provide the patience and love these homeless dog/cats desperately need. Should an emergency arise, such as if the dog/cat displays signs of illness, bloat, gastric hemorrhaging, or a severe laceration or other injury, the foster home should seek immediate veterinary care for the dog/cat and contact Hardin Metro SPCA’s foster home coordinator as soon as possible (preferably before taking the dog/cat to the veterinarian, but also without putting the dog/cat at risk). If approved by the coordinator and/or deemed as an emergency by the veterinarian, medical expenses will be paid for by Hardin Metro SPCA.
As you consider opening your home to foster animals, we ask that you consider the following questions to help you determine if you are ready to take on the awesome responsibility of being a foster home for these precious creatures.
1. Are you able to separate the foster animals from your own?
Foster animals should be isolated from your own companion animals. A separate room or enclosed area with NO carpet will work best.
2. Are you aware that there is a great deal of clean-up and even possible damage to your home when you take a foster animal home?
Foster animals have ruined drapes, carpeting, clothing, and other valuable items. Preparing your home and the area the animals will stay in can prevent most accidents, but not all of them!
3. Are you able to monitor the health of the foster animals?
You will need to pay attention to signs of illness or worsening of symptoms and call the SPCA if you are concerned. Foster home training will cover what to look for, and the SPCA staff will help you decide if you should bring the animals in for treatment.
4. Can you get to us quickly in case of an emergency?
Only the medical staff at the SPCA will treat your foster animals free of charge. If the animals you are fostering need medical attention, you will need to make an appointment with our staff veterinarian and transport the animal to the SPCA for care.
5. Are you emotionally prepared to return the animal to the SPCA after the foster period is up?
It can be very difficult to let go once you have become emotionally attached to the animals! Be prepared for tears and heartache when the day comes that you must bring your first foster animals back to the SPCA. You will be giving love and attention to the animals everyday and know that they are much more likely to find a loving, permanent home because of YOUR care!
6. Can you place your trust in the SPCA staff to decide what is the best for the animal?
Sometimes adoption is not an option even after the animal has been fostered. Knowing that an animal you have fostered may need to be euthanized can be very hard to deal with.
7. Do you feel comfortable explaining to friends that these animals are not yours to adopt out and that they must go through the regular adoption process at the SPCA?
If you are interested in helping to find homes for your foster animals, refer your friends and family to the SPCA shelter staff to complete an adoption application.
So, if you feel confident after answering all of these questions, check out the folloing links for additional information on making your home a foster home for some wonderful animals in need:
• Qualifications to be a Foster Home Provider
• Fostering Policies and Proceedures
• Preparation, Supplies and Other Information
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