What are foster carers?
Foster carers are unique individuals who dedicate their time to nurturing and loving those who need it most. One of the most rewarding experiences for these carers is seeing a previously uncared-for animal finding who they are and learning to trust once again. Foster carers provide much-needed love and support for animals who need temporary care prior to becoming available for adoption.
What do foster carers need to provide?
Foster carers are asked to provide;
- Food (we supply our carers with premium quality dry food - available at donation points throughout SEQLD)
- Water
- Wormer & Flea treatment ((we supply our carers with these items - available at our partnered vet clinics throughout SEQLD)
- Shelter and a comfy place to sleep
- Love and affection
- Basic obedience & Behaviour support from our knowledgeable behaviourist
- A safe environment
- Transportation to vet appointments
- Transportation to once off professional photo shoot for adoption advertising
You can choose what to foster!
Only want to foster certain sized dogs? Prefer to look after puppies? Lucky Paws is happy to work with you to accommodate your needs so your foster experience is one that makes you want to foster again and again! During your foster period, you will also have access to forum support from other current foster carers, a dedicated support person to contact at any time, and emergency phone numbers shall something need urgent attention.
How long will I have the animal for?
This will depend on many variables such as age, health, temperament, and so on. Some of our animals come to us very timid and obviously in need of help to build their confidence. Foster care gives these animals an opportunity to learn to trust again. Once they are shown kindness and love the transition is amazing and it’s very rewarding seeing your foster animal grow and develop. The usual time frame is 2-12 weeks however some may take a little longer.
Who pays for the vet bills if veterinary care is required?
Lucky Paws is responsible for all vetwork (desexing, microchipping, vaccination, heartworm test as well as any extra vet work) that are incurred during foster care.
What exactly does fostering mean? It means bringing a homeless dog into your home, caring for them, providing them with affection and socialization, until a permanent family comes along who will love them forever.
The benefits of fostering are numerous, and not only a wonderful thing for the dog, but can be beneficial to the one doing the fostering in so many ways!
Many times rescues who have no physical shelter, rely solely on foster homes to determine how many dogs they can pull from rural pounds, who may be due for euthanisia.
While fostering a dog, you are able to provide exercise and stimulation. In addition, you can work with the dog on leash training, house training, or other basic commands, that potential adopters will find attractive when looking for the perfect dog for their family.
Rescues often look to fosters for those dogs who may have endured a difficult past such as abuse, cruelty, neglect, under socialization, etc. As a foster, you have the chance and opportunity to gain a dogs trust, show them kindness and love perhaps for the first time, provide an environment for them to feel safe, and watch them transform before your eyes.
If you have existing pets, introducing a dog can be a great experience for them as an additional companion, additional socialisation, and an additional playmate! Children can benefit from fostering as a way to introduce responsibility, selflessness, a way to educate about animals, and is also a great way to "test" the idea of a permanent dog into the home in the future.
Fellow fosters will help guide you through the experience, give ideas, answer any questions, and may even become your friends! There is nothing quite like sharing experiences with those who do the same and being part of a community of people who have the same passions.
When the day comes, that your foster finds that perfect home, the rewarding feeling you will experience is something very special. You will feel a sense of pride, in knowing what you helped that dog accomplish in his time with you. You will feel overjoyed, that he has found his forever family and his happy ending that all homeless dogs so desire. And while certainly, some goodbyes can be tough, knowing that a dog has found his happy ending and that another precious life awaits to be afforded your gifts, is as good of a feeling as there is!
DEAR FOSTER MOM:
There I sat, alone and afraid,
You got a call and came right to my aid.
You bundled me up with blankets and love,
And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.
I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold,
That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold.
You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend,
You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.
And just when I thought you'd done all you do,
There came along not one new lesson, but two.
First you said, "Sweetheart, you're ready to go,
I've done all I can, and you've learned all I know."
Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss,
Along came a new family, they even have kids!
They took me to their home, forever to stay,
At first I thought you sent me away.
Then that second lesson became perfectly clear,
No matter how far, you will always be near.
And so, Foster Mom, you know I've moved on,
I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.
But I'll never forget what I learned that first day,
You never really give your fosters away.
You gave me these thoughts to remember you by,
We may never meet again, and now I know why.
You'll remember I lived with you for a time,
I may not be yours, but you'll always be mine.
