Fostering
GOT A DAY, A WEEK, A MONTH OR MORE? PLEASE FOSTER AN ANIMAL!
Caring For Creatures offers the following foster and foster-related programs:
Extreme Sleepover
Our Extreme Sleepover is a short term fostering program developed for dogs during extreme weather conditions. It gives them the opportunity of being in a home environment in addition to freeing up much-needed indoor space at the sanctuary. Depending on the weather and availability of the foster parent, it can be anywhere from 1 night to 1 week, or more.
Long Term Fostering
Long Term Fostering is primarily used to assist those dogs or cats with special needs whether physical or behavioral in nature. Animals that must go through a long-term recovery period from a medical condition (such as heartworm treatment, fractured bone, etc.) benefit from a more home-like environment and individualized TLC.
Animals who are shy or under socialized also benefit from receiving the more one-on-one interactions a foster home can provide. This helps to socialize and prepare our animals for adoption into a forever home. Foster homes also provide senior animals or animals who have lived in a home setting prior to coming to the sanctuary with an alternative living experience. The time that an animal spends in a foster home can vary, depending on the situation and needs of the animal/foster person. We’ve had people make a commitment to the animal until he/she is adopted but this doesn’t have to be the case.
Day Tripper
Day Tripper refers to volunteers who commit to taking one or more of the sanctuary dogs out for daytime explorations and they return to the sanctuary that same day! This may include a car ride to a park or similar area for a long walk that provides lots of new smells. It could mean a trip into Palmyra or Charlottesville to an animal-friendly store to buy a special treat and then head home again. It could mean a visit to the volunteer’s home for a couple of hours to learn about being inside a house and hearing house sounds (TV, phones, etc.). It could be a walk on the downtown mall just for the fun of it. The dogs love doing fun and different things and the activities always help round out their personalities and adoption resumes! Individuals interested in becoming a Day Tripper are required to attend our dog volunteer orientation and work with CFC to select compatible dogs for their off-site explorations!
What are we looking for in fosters:
Prior experience with animals, a home environment that is suitable for our animal’s needs and a commitment to the animal are all qualities we look for in a potential foster parent.
How do people qualify for fostering:
Prospective foster parents will be asked to fill out a questionnaire so that we can match the animal to their home environment. Are there other pets? Children? What form of exercise will be provided? Is there a fenced yard? How much time will the animal spend alone? – All of this plus more is taken into consideration when matching an animal with a family. CFC may require a home visit prior to foster placement.
CFC expects our fosters:
- to provide a safe and loving home environment for our animals;
- to follow any medical and feeding instructions provided by CFC;
- to report any medical or behavioral issues to CFC immediately;
- to provide regular updates on how our animal is doing – this information is very helpful for potential adopters;
- to be flexible/available to transport animal to an adoption event and/or make time available for a prospective adopter to meet fostered dog/cat.
CFC will provide contact information – there will always be someone to contact with any questions or concerns. We also provide medical records, ensure the animal is current on all their shots and inform the foster parent of any behavior/medical issues. Caring For Creatures will provide food, treats, a leash, harness, crate/condo and medical care, if required.
The best way for people to get more information:
Interested individuals should call or email for more information on the above programs:
Phone: 434-842-2404; Email: CFCHome10@gmail.com.
