What is a foster home?

It's a home where you open your house to one or more small animals in need of a temporary home. This pet will stay with you until either their owners return from their deplayment, make arrangements to have the pet follow them after a change of duty station, a permanent home is found (in case of abandonned animals), or other arrangements are made for this pet to be fostered. While the pet is at your house, you are fully responsible for their care. You groom them, feed them, clean up after them, take them to the vet as needed. Assisi is in the process of arranging for emergency veterinary care. Other routine medical bills will be covered by the owner (military foster).

Please note: Pets will need to live indoors, not outdoors, please keep this in mind when offering to foster. Also, please do not try to take in a foster pets as "friend for your pets". It is simply not fair to either pet when the foster pet is adopted. Pets do grieve when their friends are taken from them. If you are looking for a friend for your pet, please consider adoption which is a permanent friend for your pet.

How long does a pet stay in a foster home?

This pet will stay with you until either their owners return from their deplayment, make arrangements to have the pet follow them after a change of duty station, a permanent home is found (in case of abandonned animals), or other arrangements are made for this pet to be fostered.

Who pays for the costs of feeding the pets while in the foster home? Who provides the cages?

In case of military fosters, the pet parent/owner should provide you with all that is needed for the comfort of their pet. It is up to you to work out the details and draw up a contract with the owner of the animal you will foster.

In case of Assisi cats, we will assist you with all needed equipment and can assist with feeding. We try to have our foster parents pay as little out of pocket as possible.

Vet bills, who covers them?

The Owner is responsible for all expenses incurred during the time you have their animal in foster. It is up to you to work out the details and draw up a contract that suits you, the foster home, and the owner. (In case of Assisi cats, medical treatment will be determined on a case by case basis. For instance, if the pet is hurt at your house due to your negligence or an accident that you could have been prevented, you will be responsible for the bills. If you bring in a pet who is ill that causes the foster pet to become ill, you will be responsible for the medical bills.)

We usually require you to bring the pet to the vet of our choice as we have made arrangement with select area vets as to payment of the charges. If the pet becomes ill or injured, you must contact us immediately so we can instruct you on where to take the pet. If at all possible, we will contact the clinic to make arrangements to pay the bills directly so that you do not have out of pocket costs. We have the final say regarding all medical decisions. We will work with the vet to determine what course of action should be followed, including euthanasia if the vet and we feel it's the most humane option.

My landlord doesn't allow pets or my roommates does not want a pet, may I still foster?

We are sorry, but if you are not allowed to have pets, we must refuse to allow you to foster. You must be allowed to have pets, we will not set a pet up in a foster situation where you are not allowed to have pets. This helps prevent situations where fosters must find a new foster home because the landlord "caught you" and gave you a 3 day notice.

Can I adopt the pet if I fall in love?

If you fall in love with the pet, and request to adopt them, we will give you the option to adopt first. You will pay the adoption fee and if you keep any cages or equipment provided during the foster period, you will be asked to pay for those as we will need to replace them for the next foster home.

Are there any rules?

Yes. You must be over 18 to sign the contract. If you are under 18, but over 16, your parents may co-sign as the responsible parties. They will be expected to be sure that the rules are followed. Your parents must be willing to be responsible for the pets.

  1. You may not bring unwanted pets into your home on your own and expect the rescue to "take them in as fosters". If you ask about bringing in a foster on your own and we say we are unable to help fund this pet at this time, we mean exactly that. We do not take on more pets than the rescue can afford, it's not fair to any of them. If you do bring in a pet on your own, we will help screen for prospective owners, list the pet on the website, etc, but we will not be able to be responsible for any expenses connected with these pets.
  2. We have final say in each and every adoption. You are encouraged to make recommendations, but in the end, the decision will be the ours. We try to be fair and will explain why we refuse an adoption to someone you know. Anyone you recommend must still fill out the application, the contract and pay the adoption fee if they are approved. Please don't promise friends and neighbors "free" pets unless you intend to pay the adoption fee if they are approved. (In most cases, these people will not even be approved!)

There are other rules that will be discussed when your application is reviewed. Please be sure to explain your reasons for wanting to foster a pet, the type of pet you want to foster, etc..

Fostering is like having a pet in all respects except that the pet leaves to another home. By fostering, you are giving a pet a place of sanctuary. Sadly, without a foster home, the pet you foster might have died in an animal shelter instead.

 
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