By Mark Menze
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to take in a pet to foster?
Foster caring is such an integral part of what we do at Animal Aid. Some animals are not ready to move into their new home straight away and need some extra time to heal, adjust and decompress; that’s where our incredible Foster Carers come in. A peaceful home environment is precisely what these animals need to become the best, happiest and healthiest versions of themselves.
Our Foster Carers feel like the experience is two-way, with the humans getting just as much as they give. If you are fostering cats or kittens, you will see them grow and learn about the world but also watch them learn to trust and experience warmth and safety for the first time. The smooches and appreciation they show in return are pretty extraordinary.
To foster kittens, you will need a spare room or area where you can set up a playpen or crate away from your pets. You might need to be home for regular feeding for very young kittens. But there are lots of cats and kittens who would love to be fostered into a family environment. Patience and care are essential as we don’t always have their whole backstory.
You might find the most challenging part of fostering cats and kittens is giving them back!
Fostering dogs requires a bit more space and time. Secure yards are needed for dogs to keep them safe. Maintaining a peaceful space that allows the foster dogs to become comfortable and relaxed is key; this might mean initially having as few distractions as possible. Some dogs like to have another dog companion, which is very sweet to watch.
You will fall in love with your foster animals but be overjoyed to see them grow and find their new forever family. Animal Aid is seeking Foster Carers to join in the fun! If you would like to learn more about foster caring, please visit animalaid.org.au/foster-
