Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pet foster parent?

A pet foster parent provides a safe and loving environment for friendly kittens,puppies, dogs, cats, or other animals until they are adopted. In addition to affection, the foster parent provides basic care for the animals such as food, water, and shelter. When fostering a dog, the pet foster parent may teach him basic house manners. The pet foster parent may have to transport their foster animal to adoption events or tp potential adopters at their home.

Why are pet foster parents needed?

We can only rescue as many animals as we have room and staffing for. Local animal shelters euthanize dozens of healthy and friendly animals each day to make space for the new ones coming in due to limited holding space. Local animal rescue groups have to turn away dozens of adoptable animals each week because they lack foster parents. Not only do foster
parents maximize the number of animals rescued, they also help to care for animals that would be difficult to care for in a shelter or kennel environment.

Foster homes are helping not only animals but also people in our community. Often we receive requests for help from people who wish to find foster homes
for their beloved pets instead of surrendering them to the local animal shelter where they will most likely be euthanized.

And ALL animals in foster homes always find permanent adoptive homes.

Will I get too attached to my foster pet?

Ironically known as “foster failures” in the pet rescue biz, these are animals that started out as fosters and ended up being adopted by their foster family. Adopting your foster can be a hazard of the job, and getting too attached to a foster pet is possible.

A veteran of fostering, Ms. Croom has learned to consider the alternative when letting go of an animal seems hard. She says, “I’ve learned to put it this way to people who are afraid of getting attached to an animal: my withdrawal symptoms are not not nearly as bad as the dog dying at the shelter. Fostering and pet rescue is about placing animals.”

“You love ’em enough to let ’em go.”

Will I have a say into who adopts my foster pet?

NOBARS not only allow fosters to have to have a say in where their foster animal gets placed, WE encourage the input.

Some fosters might even have the final say in where the foster goes. The foster home knows the animal better than anyone, so NOBARS will lean on the foster family for information.

We feel real good about trusting our foster family’s “gut”. Our fosters don’t do fostering because we they are out to please people; they foster because they want do the right thing by animals.

What happens if the pet doesn’t get adopted?
Do you end up having to keep it? How long do you keep it for?

Pets in foster homes are always adopted into a permanent home. The foster family will usually foster the pet until it is adopted. The length of time varies according to the breed and age of the pet. For example, kittens and puppies are often adopted quicker than adult cats and dogs. In some cases, the foster parents decide to adopt the pet themselves.

We find that most foster families want to continue fostering the pet (even if it past their original commitment) because they have come to have an established routine with the pet and it is fitting smoothly into their life-style…plus, they want to be consulted with the choice of permanent adopters.

If a foster family runs into personal situations where they can not foster the pet until it is adopted, the rescue group will search for another foster home to relieve that family. Do remember that, in these cases, the rescue groups will need time to do this.

Are there requirements people should be aware of before becoming pet foster parents?

pets are required to remain inside (not to be chained or left unattended outside) and fenced in yards are preferred for dogs.

Because each animal’s personality is different, NOBARS match them to the best possible foster home to suit the animal andthe family. So, if a foster family has young children, then only animals that do well with young children are placed there. The main requirements of people who want to foster is that they be willing to provide a loving, safe environment.

What kind of support will I get?

NOBARS value their pet foster parents and therefore make every effort to be available for questions and tips; especially for the first time foster parent. That means the NOBARS will make sure you have a phone number for a Foster Coordinator and other contact information for questions.
NOBARS will introduce a less experienced foster parent with a more experienced foster parent that can be available to come by or can be reached to answer questions.

What happens after I fill out the Foster Application Form?

NOBARS will contact you and discuss what their needs are and find the best fit for your home and schedule. Our foster homes are the most valuable resource we have, so we want you to be as pleased with the match as we are!

After all, most people will want to continue fostering in the future; if their first experience is a good one.