Helping Animals Since 1977

Foster an Animal - How And Why You Should

We ALWAYS need more foster homes. You provide love, and companionship; we provide the veterinary care. We will accommodate your needs in terms of the type and size of pet you're able to foster. Fostering is a great opportunity to give an animal a second chance at life - and provide a stepping stone to its forever home.

The corner stone of any rescue group is the support of volunteers and those who offer to open their home as a foster parent to an animal in need. Without foster homes we would not be able to save these innocent lives.


Fostering Process

Our process is in place to ensure that the dog that is placed is the right match for you and that it is a positive experience for both the dog and foster home.

  1. Fill out the Foster application form: Foster a Dog, Foster a Cat.
  2. We'll be in touch. Once the application is received a rescue representative will contact selected applicants (not every applicant), usually within 24 hrs.
  3. A brief home visit is arranged at the earliest convenience to confirm that your home is safe for the dog in consideration and to provide you with an orientation into fostering.

Why consider fostering?

Offering an animal a foster home gives him or her a second chance. Many pets are abandoned, or for various reasons cannot stay at their current home. Without foster homes, there would be nowhere for them to go.


What about shelters?

There just aren't enough shelters in London, or any city, to house all the homeless pets that need our help. Plus, fostering allows animals to grow and learn in a normal, home environment with a family. There is no replacement for that interaction.


What Animalert Provides

  • Basic Needs & Tools: Food, Crate, Leash, Collar & Rescue Tag
  • Spay/Neuter and Advanced Vaccines prior to foster care
  • Heartworm test, Revolution and Dewormer
  • All veterinary and medical care required during foster care
  • Foster relief for vacation
  • Support and direction from the years of experience from team members when dealing with concerns, issues, unwanted behavioral issues.

Can I choose which dog or cat to foster?

You let us know what size/shape of animal you think would fit best in your home, and we will let you know when one comes along!


What's in it for my family?

Fostering is a great way to enjoy the companionship of a pet while you are waiting for "just the right one" to come along. After opening your home up to a dog or cat in need, the greatest reward is seeing them find a forever family of their own and knowing you were a big part of that.


Fostering is not for everyone.

It takes understanding that it will involve time, commitment , love, patience and protection to a homeless animal.

It also involves saying good-bye to an animal that you will undoubtedly have grown attached to. There is never a shortage of tears - and of joy when you know you have helped save an animal that otherwise would have died.

It is important that everyone in your home is in agreement and willing to help with the animal. The following are things to consider & discuss when fostering:

  1. Is everyone in the home supportive of being a foster home?
  2. Will everyone have a role and what will these be (age appropriate)? Who will fill in when the other is not available and are they willing and committed to help?
  3. Understand that many of these dogs have limited history.
  4. Are you prepared and willing to help with the dog on learning better basic habits? Some of these being:
    • house training where needed (A crate will be provided), are you prepared to crate train.?
    • leash training / walking
    • learning respect / boundaries / manners (no jumping) etc.
    • caring for a dog that is scared, nervous, shy
    • caring for a dog that whines / barks / digs / needs to be on a tie out until bonded and has reliable recall in an enclosed area
  5. What is your current lifestyle/routine?
  6. What kind of dog do you think will fit in with your home.
  7. If you have existing pets, are they well grounded/mannered pets? Are they used to sharing their space/home with other animals? We do ask and prefer that if your current dogs are not used to or will NOT tolerate other dogs in their space / home / yard etc., to not apply. This is for the fairness and safety of all pets.
  8. If you have children... are they respectful of a dog’s space and understand how to interact with a dog in a respectful manner?
  9. Are you prepared to 100% supervise, educate and assist where necessary?
  10. Do you have a time frame / expectation for having the dog placed?
  11. Do you understand that as a foster home the need is for you to keep the pet in your home until it is placed with a suitable family? Though most fosters are placed within a month or two, it could take longer. Are you ok with keeping it longer? Rescue will take provide foster relief during vacation if needed.
  12. Never take a foster dog into an unsecure area. Most them were found as strays and have no recall.

Understanding Transitioning Time

Please be aware that it takes any dog weeks to truly settle into the home, routine etc. By the end of a month they should be close to being fully settled, though some dogs can take a bit longer based on their needs. Expecting anything less is NOT realistic or fair to them. Expecting more than they can cope with will lead to unwanted stress for everyone and problems down the road. Give them, and yourself, the time to learn about each other and what is expected in order for everyone to have a positive and successful experience.


Interested, or looking for more information? Contact us today and we’ll be glad to answer your questions.