How old do you have to be to become a foster caregiver?
Foster parents must be 21 years of age or older. Please note: We require a completed foster care application and an interview with you in your home before we can approve you as a foster caregiver.
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About Our Foster Program
First, we would like to thank you for thinking about sharing your home with a foster animal. Without the help of foster caregivers, we would be forced to turn away many animals that need special care or attention. The following information is a guideline to help you understand what is required of foster caregivers. Fostering is an incredibly rewarding experience that requires a real commitment. The emotional aspects of fostering can be challenging and should be discussed with all of your family members. Oftentimes it can be difficult to see them leave your home for their new forever home. The wonderful part of fostering is knowing that you played a tremendous and extremely crucial role in getting them there. If you feel that you might not be able to handle a particular situation from start to finish, please say so before taking an animal into your home.
If you have never provided foster care before, the following information will answer some of your questions. After reading ALL of the following information, if you are still interested in becoming a foster caregiver for Critical Care for Animal Angels, you can download and fill out the application in Microstoft Word or other word processor, save it and attach it in an email to ccaa.georgia@gmail.com with the Subject line as "Critical Care for Animal Angels Foster Care Program"
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Am I allowed to foster if I live in an apartment?
If you rent a house or apartment, we will contact your landlord for verification of his or her permission for you to have pets temporarily.
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What happens if I need to take my foster pet to the vet?
Veterinary care is paid for by Critical Care for Animal Angels, provided you take your foster animal to a specific veterinarian that we provide. We have established relationships with individual area veterinarians and they provide certain services for us at a lower rate. In case of emergency, you would need to check with the Shelter before seeking any medical care.
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How do I introduce my foster pet to their new surroundings?
When introducing an animal to a new environment, do so gradually and use great care. Remember that the animal might be frightened and could bite, run away, scratch, or cower in a corner. Depending on the animal and his/her history, there may be incidents of housebreaking, spraying, damage, and barking. Please be forewarned and "animal proof" your house.
Who will pay for the food given to the foster pet?
Food is provided by the foster caregiver. We may request that certain foods be fed to your foster animal. Do not be worried if he/she does not eat right away. Sometimes a healthy foster animal will not eat at first because they may be frightened, nervous, or spoiled from having steak tips every night. Eventually they will eat. For the same reasons, he/she may have diarrhea in the beginning. Feed a bland diet and monitor the stool for changes.
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How do introduce my animals to my new foster pet?
We do not recommend that your foster animal mingle with your own pets. This is to prevent possible fights among animals and eliminates the possibility of any germs or diseases being spread. However, if you do plan to have your foster animal mingle with your own animals, bear in mind that introducing an animal to other animals presents possible problems depending on the temperaments and pecking order of the resident animals. Your own animal(s) must be fully inoculated against all diseases to ensure their own protection.Be sure to discuss this with a staff member before bringing home each foster animal. If you are fostering a nursing mother, no attempt should be made to integrate animals because nursing mothers will fight.
Is it okay to bring my foter pet around children?
If you have children, we request that you monitor their contact with a foster animal at all times. We cannot guarantee any animal's behavior and this will help to protect both the child and the animal. Foster animals are under a lot of stress and do best in a quiet environment.
Is there anything else I need to know before I decide to foster?
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NO FOSTER ANIMAL IS ALLOWED OUTSIDE UNATTENDED OR UNRESTRAINED.
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NO CAT SHOULD EVER BE ALLOWED OUTSIDE FOR ANY REASON UNLESS IT IS IN A CARRIER.
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IF YOU TAKE A SICK ANIMAL AND THERE IS A CONCERN ABOUT ITS FUTURE, YOU MUST BE PREPARED FOR HIS/HER POSSIBLE DEATH. IF YOU CANNOT HANDLE THIS, PLEASE SAY SO AND DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TAKE ON THIS PARTICULAR FOSTER.
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PLEASE KEEP US UP TO DATE ON ANY ISSUES THAT MAY OCCUR DURING THEIR STAY WITH YOU.