Fostering
OPENING YOUR HEARTS AND HOMES CAN HELP SAVE LIVES
What is fostering?
Very simply, fostering is opening your heart and home to provide love and care for a rescue dog or cat.
It's rewarding to know you have helped by becoming a stepping stone from a pet’s old life to a wonderful new life.
“I’d love to help, but I couldn’t possibly foster, I’d get too attached and wouldn’t want to give it up”
If you are thinking this, you are not alone. We hear it often from families thinking about fostering for the first time.
Yet, when we speak to foster moms and dads who have been fostering for a while they tell us: “I’m so glad I can help by fostering; it’s such a rewarding and positive experience for the whole family”
These families have learned that, yes, it can be a little sad when the dog or cat you have cared for leaves, but that sadness is outweighed by a feeling of happiness that your dog or cat is finally getting that wonderful forever home he truly deserves. YOU made this possible for him by being his stepping stone from his old life to his new life; what a selfless and loving commitment you have made.
So, please don’t allow worrying about letting go stop you from fostering; we know you will be fine and that you will come to realize that fostering is “all about the animals”. You CAN do it!
What types of fostering do you offer?
Regular Fostering - You take a foster dog or cat into your home and provide love and care until he or she is adopted into a forever home. This is the backbone of our fostering program, and we couldn't rescue so many animals without your foster help! As a foster parent, you are able to give us important information about the dog or cat in your home, details we would not otherwise know; this helps us create a profile to share with potential adopters.
Short Break Fostering (dogs only, not cats) – This is short term fostering of a shelter dog, to give a dog a break from the shelter for a little while, perhaps a sleepover or a few days. This is perfect for families who cannot commit to regular fostering, who have long work hours some days of the week but who could foster on other days, or at the holidays. Not only do the dogs enjoy a break, but we learn so much valuable info about a dog in a home, even if only for a day or so.
Temporary Fostering – When a foster family needs to leave town for a little while, rather than bringing their foster dog or cat back into the shelter we place him or her in a temporary foster home. This is a limited time commitment, which appeals to many families.
How would I choose a foster dog or cat?
You probably already have an idea of the type of dog that would do well in your home, maybe a big dog that likes to lounge around, or a small dog that loves to play with other dogs, or perhaps a medium sized dog that likes to go hiking? We have all sorts of dogs with all sorts of personalities and characteristics and we will help you choose a foster dog that will fit well with your home, family, pets and lifestyle. Depending upon what history we have on a dog we may have a lot or a little information to share with you, but we will always do our best to try to make your fostering experience a positive one.
For our cat foster families: We always need kitty foster homes! Most times, it is the new kittens coming into Mostly Mutts that need fostering, and sometimes we need adult cat foster homes too.
Is fostering expensive?
Not at all, there is no cost to you in fostering. Mostly Mutts pays all vetting costs, supplies heart-worm preventative for dogs, and is happy to supply flea treatments, food and litter. We can lend equipment you might need. All you need supply is TLC.
Will I have an easy-going foster dog?
We hope so, but bear in mind that all dogs need some training and will need a little time to adjust to the recent changes in their lives. Being able to give a rescue dog a safe, loving place to stay is great and we certainly do appreciate that commitment; being able to give a dog a place to stay and help that dog become more adoptable by working on training and behaviors is fantastic and we love it when our foster families are able to help in this way!
What if I need some support?
We have a great group of people, including trainers, willing to offer support, answer questions and give advice. You will not feel alone!
Is fostering safe for my pets at home?
If your own pets are healthy adults and are up-to-date on their vaccinations, they are unlikely to become ill from being in the same home as a foster dog or cat. Please do check with your own vet for information on this as we want you to feel comfortable about fostering. If you have puppies or kittens, sick or immuno-compromised pets at home please let us know before fostering.
How will my foster dog or cat find his forever home?
All dogs and cats that are ready for adoption are listed online for potential adopters to view. We have a team of adoption counselors who work with adopters to find a well-matched dog or cat to add to their family. Our counselors will keep you updated when there is adoption interest in your foster dog or cat, and arrange for potential adopters to "Meet & Greet" your foster pet at the shelter, which will, hopefully, lead to an adoption into a forever home!
Do you have puppies?
Yes, we often have puppies needing foster homes and we love it when families can help care for our pups. Puppies may be as young as newborns with a nursing momma dog or orphaned puppies needing bottle-feeding. Young pups in a litter need to stay together until 6-8 weeks old, at which time they can move into foster homes in pairs. Some families enjoy having a litter of very young pups at home, other families prefer to wait until the pups are little older and can be fostered two at a time. If you want to help with puppies of any age we’d love to hear from you!
Do you have dogs with special needs?
Yes, we do sometimes have dogs with special needs. These could be blind or deaf dogs, dogs recovering from surgery or dogs undergoing a heart-worm treatment, for example. If you are able to offer TLC to a special needs dog please let us know.
Do you have kittens and cats?
Yes! We have kittens of all ages needing foster homes, from newborns to teenage kitties, and sometimes adult cats too, these are usually mommas who have weaned their kittens.
Where do your dogs and cats come from?
Most of our dogs and cats come from local animal control facilities, although we do sometimes take in dogs and cats from families who are no longer able to care for their pets.
Where are you based?
Our shelter is in Kennesaw, and the vet we work with is in Kennesaw. We like to know that our foster families are able to transport their foster dogs or cats to and from Kennesaw easily whenever necessary.
I’m ready! What’s next? How do I become a foster home for Mostly Mutts?
Note: Adoption and Fostering are two separate programs at Mostly Mutts. Depending upon whether you wish to adopt or to foster you would submit either an adoption application or a foster application, but not both. If you are not sure about the difference between adopting and fostering, or need help deciding which is right for you, please contact us for help.
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. for an application if you are not able to fill out the online form.
Once you have submitted your fostering application, we will get in touch with you to follow up.
Our fostering and adoption applications are identical, this is because foster families do sometimes adopt their foster pets, they become what we affectionately call our “foster failures”. This is a double-edged sword for Mostly Mutts because a foster family adopting means we know a dog or cat has found a terrific home, but it may also be how we lose a foster home!
Once your application is approved, you will be asked to attend a foster orientation session prior to taking home your first foster; also, we need to conduct a brief home visit, per the GA Department of Agriculture regulations; it’s not a big deal.
Is it fulfilling, satisfying and rewarding to be a foster family?
Yes, Yes and Yes!
So please don’t hesitate, contact Mostly Mutts right away and don’t miss out on a wonderful opportunity to become part of your local rescue community.
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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