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Foster Care Program Information
Foster Care Volunteers are needed! As a foster parent, you will provide in-home care to animals that need a break from the shelter environment or are just born and require special attention.
Volunteers receive thorough animal-care training and supplies. You will have complete control over your time commitment and the animals that get placed in your home. In return, you are helping wonderful PARL pets become successfully adopted, and helping to reduce shelter over-population.
Remember: fostering saves lives! Foster caregivers provide an invaluable service to our shelter and to the animals fostered!
Cat / Kitten Fostering
PARL is actively seeking new foster homes for both adult cats and kittens. Often we have cats that need a break from the stress of shelter life. In the Spring and Summer we get many litters of kittens. Because their immune systems have not fully developed, it is critical to remove them from the shelter environment and place them in a home. If you want to help foster cats, please contact us today! Click here for a Foster Application.
Dog / Puppy Fostering
PARL is actively seeking new foster homes for both adult dogs and puppies. Often we have dogs that need some behavioral training and/or a break from the stress of shelter life. If you want to help foster dogs, please contact us today! Click here for a Foster Application.
Foster Care Wish List - Please Donate!
· KMR - Powdered kitten milk replacement formula · Heating pads
· Small animal nursing bottles
· Cat/kitten canned/dry food
· Non-clumping clay litter
· Plastic cat toys
· Animal carriers
· Medium and large metal dog crates
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I foster if I work full time?
Yes. Most of our foster parents work full time. If you are typically away from home for several hours at a time, you should only foster animals that are eating on their own or litters with moms. We have great need for foster homes that will take litters with moms as well as for kittens and puppies able to eat on their own.
How often do I need to feed and care for the foster animals in my home?
It depends on their age and if they have a mom. Here’s a general guide:
· Adult cat, no kittens: check and care for her every 16 hours.
· Kittens with moms: check and care for them every 12 hours.
· Kittens or puppies > 4 wks old, w/o moms, able to eat on their own: check and care for them every 8-9 hrs.
· Kittens or puppies 3- 4 weeks old, without moms, able to eat some on their own, require supplemental bottle feedings: check and care for them every 6-8 hours.
· Kittens or puppies < 3 wks old, w/o moms, require bottle-feeding: check and care for them every 4-6 hrs.
Will it cost me money to foster?
A little bit. PARL will provide supplies when we have them available. Depending on the situation, we will supply food, litter scoops, litter boxes and some medications. You will be able to borrow animal carriers and cages from the shelter. You might need at least one baby gate. Some day, we hope to have the funds to supply all needed materials, but for now, there probably will be small out-of-pocket costs to fostering.
Will I end up adopting my foster animals?
Ideally, no. It does happen, but we want our foster homes to be just that – temporary foster homes. We hope you will foster multiple times since our greatest need is for reliable, trained foster homes. PARL has an excellent adoption-screening program, so you can have confidence that your foster animals will go to a good home after you return them.
How much time does it take to foster?
It depends on the animal you are fostering. For every foster case, you will need to make at least three trips to the shelter: one to pick up the animal(s), one to have the animal(s) vaccinated, and another trip to return the animal(s) to the adoption floor. Foster chores and animal socialization will take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour or two a day, depending if you are fostering dogs, kittens, etc., and how large of a litter you have.
Can I pick the animals I want to foster?
Yes and No. You can choose to foster only puppies or only adult cats with kittens, etc.; however, you cannot pick animals from the shelter holding area. The shelter staff will choose animals based on health, temperament, breed, rescue status and foster home availability.
Can I take foster animals to other peoples’ homes, to school, etc?
No. Unvaccinated foster puppies and kittens may not leave the foster home (e.g. no walks in the park, visits to school, work, etc.) and must be kept completely separate (no nose-to-nose contact) as much as possible from permanent animals of the same species in the foster home. Foster animals over 6 months of age that have received their full series of vaccines may leave the home and be treated like any other animal in your home.
Where should I put foster animals while they are in my home?
Foster animals need to be separated from resident animals to avoid health/ behavior issues. Remember no nose-to-nose contact between foster kitties and your cats. This is especially important for the first two weeks while they are in your home in case they are carrying a disease that doesn’t present until after placement in foster care. Choose a location (bathrooms and basements are ok) that is easy to clean and is dedicated to the foster animals during their stay.
How can I clean my house to prevent illness?
One easy way to avoid spreading illnesses is to wash your hands after handling a foster animal. Food and water bowls can be run through the dishwasher, and the animal’s bedding should be washed separately from other laundry. Add bleach (follow label directions) and dry on high heat. If your foster cat/kitten has an upper respiratory infection (URI), you should change your clothing before handling your own cats. Refer to the manual for more suggestions.
Why do my animals need vaccinations if the foster animals reside separately?
This requirement is primarily for the safety of your own animal(s). Some foster animals come from the street and unknown conditions. They could break with serious diseases after they are placed in foster care. The shelter will not be able to treat or care for your permanent animal should he/she become sick from a foster animal. All felines and canines in the home must receive annual vaccinations if you want to foster.
My vet says my cats need to be vaccinated every three years because they are indoor cats. Why do you require annual vaccinations?
Tell your vet you plan to foster animals with unknown medical histories. Most vets will then treat your cat the same as they would if your cat went outdoors and were exposed to more germs. If your vet refuses or your cat has vaccine reactions, you may be approved to foster canines, but not felines.
How do I sign up?
Complete and return a foster application. The foster coordinator will then review your application and contact you to review your application.
What else will be expected of me?
Foster homes must follow the instructions of the shelter vet and Animal Welfare Supervisor, make and keep appointments for check-ups, vaccinations and return of foster animals. Spend time playing with and socializing your foster animals. Have an adult in charge of the animal care, although children are welcome to help, especially with the socialization. Contact the foster coordinator if you have any questions or concerns.
Call our Director of Volunteer Services at 401-421-1399 x208 or email volunteer@parl.org for additional information.
Background Checks
The Providence Animal Rescue League will complete background check on all applicants seeking to foster an animal(s). All information will be kept confidential.
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