Questions for Potential Foster Parents

1. Are you able to contact us quickly in an emergency?
2. Will you be able to spend quality time with the animals? Most foster animals need a great deal of quality time to socialize.
3. Do you have the time and patience to clean up after a foster animal? Young animals can be very messy when they eat and potty. Socialization can be as important as feeding them and keeping them clean.
4. Will you be able to commit to appointments ranging from once a week to every three weeks whether or not they are ill?
5. Are you aware that there is a great deal of clean-up and even possible damage to your home when you take in a foster animal? Foster animals can ruin new drapes, carpeting, clothing…PAWS will not be held responsible for any damage incurred while fostering an animal.
6. Are you willing to work with our veterinary care system? Please understand that only our vets can treat foster animals free of charge.
7. Are you able to separate foster animals from your own? Foster animals should remain isolated from your resident pets, for at least the first week or two, until you’re sure they are not harboring any illness and that your own pets will accept them. Can you keep the foster animal in an enclosed area away from your animals?
8. Can you commit to spend the entire foster period with the animal? If something unexpected happens you will need to call 256-383-0690 to inform us of an early foster return.
9. Do you feel comfortable explaining to friends that these animals are not yours to adopt out and that they must go through the regular adoption process through PAWS?
10. Will you be able to give the animal up at the end of the foster period? It can be difficult to let go once you have become emotionally attached.
11. Are you emotionally prepared to handle the death of one of your foster animals? This can be very difficult, but the sad truth is that it sometimes happens. In this event, PAWS should be contacted immediately.

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