Is Fostering Right For Me?

What Does

Fostering Mean and How Will It Impact Me?

What exactly does fostering mean? It means bringing a homeless animal into your home, caring for them, providing them with affection and socialization, until a permanent family comes along who will love them forever. Grand Rivers Humane Society pays for ALL supplies, medical bills, or any other needs that arise during fostering.

The benefits of fostering are numerous, and not only a wonderful thing for the animal and rescue, but can be beneficial to the one doing the fostering in so many ways!

FOSTERING SAVES LIVES:

Grand Rivers Humane Society does not have a physical location for dogs so we rely solely on foster homes to determine how many animals we can pull from Mesa County Animal Services. The number of animals we can save depends entirely on the number of people who will open their homes and hearts to foster them. When choosing animals for foster homes, we consider long-term residents and/or at risk of euthanasia due to overcrowding, animals in need of medical/surgical care, or scared animals who will not thrive at the shelter. Fosters are also crucial to shelters and rescues ability to help expectant female animals, by affording them a quiet and comfortable atmosphere to deliver puppies or kittens and care for them in those first weeks of crucial development.

YOU HAVE A HAND IN HELPING MAKE THE animal MORE "ADOPTABLE":

Often times, certain animals may not "show" well in a kennel environment or adoption events due to excess energy or jockeying for attention as potential adopters walk by. While fostering an animal, you are able to provide exercise and stimulation, which in turn creates a calmer animal in the home which in most cases is closer to what their behavior will look like in their forever home environment. In addition, you can work with the animal on leash training, house training, or other basic command training that potential adopters will find attractive when looking for the perfect animal for their family.
YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE A animal'S FUTURE:

Shelters and rescues often look to fosters for those animals 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 an animals trust, show them human touch and love, perhaps for the first time. You are able to provide an environment for them to feel safe, and watch them transform before your eyes. This is one of the most rewarding parts of fostering!
FOSTERING CAN BE GREAT FOR YOUR FAMILY:

If you have existing pets, introducing an animal can be a great experience for them as an additional companion, additional socialization, and an additional playmate! Children can benefit from fostering as a way to introduce responsibility, selflessness, and a way to educate about animals. Of course we recommend all interactions between children and animals be monitored by an adult.
YOU BECOME PART OF A WONDERFUL "COMMUNITY":

Fellow fosters from the same shelter or rescue 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 similar passions. At GRHS we have a foster team to guide you and a facebook group of fosters to share questions and successes with.
YOU WILL MAKE SOMEONE'S FAMILY COMPLETE:

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/she has found their forever family and a happy ending that all homeless animals so desire. And while certainly, some goodbyes can be tough, knowing that an animal has found their happy ending and that another precious life awaits to be afforded your gifts, is as good of a feeling as there is! People often ask how can you give away your foster dog -- and while it is not easy, the biggest reason to adopt them out is so that you can keep fostering and continue to save future lives.

Ready to Foster?

IF YOU ARE READY TO FOSTER - PLEASE FILL OUT THE DOG FOSTER APPLICATION OR CAT FOSTER APPLICATION

Our GRHS Foster Team will review your application and contact you to schedule a home visit to become a GRHS foster family! After this is complete, our Foster Team will discuss the animals in need of foster home with you and help decide which animal is the best fit for your home. If you have questions prior to applying or during the application process, please email foster@grandrivershumane.org

HOW LONG SHOULD I EXPECT TO HAVE MY FOSTER ANIMAL?

The amount of time fosters keep animals varies - sometimes it is only for a few weeks, other times it will be several months. Some pets need more time because of age, illness, injury, or behavior issues. Your time commitment will be discussed up-front before you agree to foster the pet, but foster families are expected to keep the animal until the animal gets adopted. Returning a foster is difficult as we would have to find a different foster home for them as their spot at the county shelter is immediately filled.
WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A FOSTER FAMILY?
- Provide a safe, clean, and caring environment for the animal.
- Provide food, water, exercise and socialization as appropriate.
- Monitor any medical and/or behavioral problems and provide any medications as directed.
- Assist with transport to/from adoption events.
- Participate in helping find a family for the animal.
WHAT FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES DOES THE FOSTER FAMILY ASSUME?

Foster families are not expected to pay for food, crate, toys, or any medical expenses that arise during fostering. The GRHS Foster Team will provide all of the supplies required for fostering and pay for any vet visits. Fosters are welcome to buy their animal extra toys or treats as a donation.

So, Change a Life, Save a Life, & Become a Foster Today!

DEAR FOSTER:

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.