Whistler WAG - Adoptions

FOSTERING

Fostering animals is a challenging and rewarding experience.

WAG’s foster program aims to make our animals more adoptable.

What is a foster home?

A foster home is a temporary home that provides care and nurture to animals in need.

What are the benefits of fostering?

For the animals:

Many animals do not adjust well to shelter life and remain stressed in the environment of the shelter. A foster home provides a place for these animals to relax. Once they are able to relax, their true personalities show themselves. For example, many cats that appear frightened or aggressive in the cattery prove themselves to be affectionate and playful once they are away from the other cats and the noises of the shelter.

Foster homes can be ideal places for young animals that are not ready for adoption, such as young puppies and kittens, or animals with temporary health problems. A foster home can provide a quiet place for an animal to recover from surgery, or for an animal recovering from wounds. A foster home may also be ideal for an animal with a treatable behavioural problem: such as a young dog without manners.

By allowing animals to relax, train, or recover, a foster home ultimately makes an animal more adoptable. Fostering provides staff with information on how an animal behaves in a real home setting. We can pass this information along to potential adopters to assist them in selecting an animal that is right for them.

Foster homes allow WAG to accept more animals, particularly in situations where the shelter has reached its maximum capacity.

For you:

Fostering is an excellent way for a person or family to decide if they are ready to accept the responsibilities of pet ownership.

You receive love, companionship and the great feeling that comes from knowing you have helped a friend in need.

ARE YOU READY TO FOSTER?

1. Do you have time? Foster animals may have special needs and require more care than pets you have had in the past. You should be able to spend a minimum of a couple of hours a day with the animal, depending on the needs of the animal. You should be prepared to spend time spend time walking, playing, training, and cleaning up after the animal.

2. Do you have animals of your own? Will you be able to keep your foster animal isolated from your own animals, if necessary?

3. Can you provide a healthy and quiet environment?

4. Are you emotionally prepared to return the animal to the shelter?

So how does the Program Work?

If you think you are ready and your home and lifestyle are suitable, speak to us about becoming a foster caregiver.

You will be given an application to fill out. This will help us ensure that we match you with an appropriate animal and it is a mutually beneficial experience for you and the animal.

We must meet all applicants in person.

If you do not own your home you must have the permission of your landlord to have an animal.

Please keep in mind that not every animal is a candidate for a foster home. If we do not have a suitable animal in need we will keep your application on file and will contact you when the need arises.

When you foster an animal you are asked to sign an agreement. While fostered, the animal remains under the guardianship of WAG. As such, we will provide food, dishes, litter, toys, other supplies and veterinary care. We will also provide necessary advice and guidance.

There is no time limit on foster care. We prefer to assess the progress of each animal individually and make decisions accordingly.