Frequently Asked Questions About Foster Care
I need community service hours for school and I love animals, but I’m not 18 years old yet. Can I be a foster parent volunteer?
Teenagers looking to fulfill community service hours for school may be eligible to receive credit for hours spent fostering animals. Be sure to check with your school if foster hours are applicable.
However, due to insurance issues and safety concerns, only individuals who are at least 18 can sign up as a foster parent. Young adults and children can help with the foster animals in the home but adults must be the primary caregivers. Talk with your parents to see if fostering will work for your whole family as well as your individual school requirements.
What if I’m unavailable to foster an animal when you call?
We will simply call another foster volunteer. We want to make sure you feel like you’ll be able to give the time needed, so we don’t pressure you into taking an animal. If you can’t foster this time around, we’ll just call you the next time.
Will a foster animal have accidents or cause damage?
Foster animals, like any other companion animal in your home, may destroy carpeting, drapes, 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. BDAL cannot be held accountable for damages a foster animal might commit in your home.
Do I need to keep foster animals separate from my pets?
We encourage the socialization of your foster animal with other animals, but some foster animals may need to be isolated from your own companion animals. A separate room or enclosed area with no carpet will often work best.
Will BDAL treat my pet if he is injured or becomes sick because of a foster animal?
If your animal becomes sick or injured due to interactions with a BDAL foster animal, you will be responsible for all medical care required.
I love the idea of being a foster volunteer, but I’m worried about how I’ll feel when it’s time for the animal to be brought back to the shelter for adoption.
It can be difficult to let go once you have become emotionally attached to a foster animal. Some foster parents will consider it unfair to the animal to break the bond created, some might find it hard to break their emotional attachment. But remember foster care volunteers play a crucial part in helping unwanted animals find the permanent, loving homes they deserve. This is why it is important to fully weigh the implications of foster care before making a committment.
Are foster animals ever euthanized?
Sometimes adoption is not an option for animals with some illnesses or behavior problems even after the animal has been fostered. BDAL will determine if other options, including transfer to an animal rescue group, are appropriate and available. Knowing that an animal you have fostered may need to be humanely euthanized can be very hard to handle. Please remember that the BDAL staff is always here for support.
What if a friend or family member wants to adopt my foster animal?
Thank you for helping find homes for your foster animals. Please refer interested adopters to our online adoption application.
What if I want to adopt the animal I’m fostering?
This can happen when foster parents fall in love with the animals they care for. If you wish to adopt a foster animal, please contact your foster coordinator right away. Your foster animal may already have an “adoption hold” for another person. Having available foster homes is crucial for saving lives, so we ask foster parents to consider how adopting a foster animal may affect their ability to continue fostering other animals in the future.