The Home Connection Foster Program
One of the top priorities of The Animal Protection League in 2012 was to revamp and rebuild the city shelter’s existing foster program. Our foster team has spent countless hours, reviewing and reaching out to the foster families, formerly of Anderson Animal Care and Control.
Our new, Home Connection Foster Program will be a valuable and crucial piece to our mission. Foster care providers will not only make second chances possible for homeless animals, but will increase its chances of a successful adoption. In some cases, foster care providers help animals who may be recovering from an illness or injury. Be part of an amazing experience! You really can make a difference in your community, just by opening your home to a domestic animal in need. View adoptable dogs or cats in our Home Connection Program.
What the Home Connection Program Entails…
Each foster care provider will help prepare a homeless animal for an adoptive home through a number of ways. Aside from providing the day-to-day care filled with grooming, exercise, playtime, chin scratches and love, responsibilities may also include basic training, exposing the animal to different environments, addressing bad behaviors such as jumping, barking, mouthing, destructive chewing and so on or nursing a sick animal back to health.
Shelter animals can come from a variety of situations. Some may have grown up in a home where they were well loved while others may have been abused or neglected. Evaluating the animal’s temperament outside of the shelter as well as socializing and teaching the animal to properly interact with people and other animals makes a foster care provider the most important resource in helping to connect a homeless animal with the best possible adopter.
We also often need short-term fosters who can house an animal temporarily until a transport or rescue is able to accept the animal.
Our new, Home Connection Foster Program will be a valuable and crucial piece to our mission. Foster care providers will not only make second chances possible for homeless animals, but will increase its chances of a successful adoption. In some cases, foster care providers help animals who may be recovering from an illness or injury. Be part of an amazing experience! You really can make a difference in your community, just by opening your home to a domestic animal in need. View adoptable dogs or cats in our Home Connection Program.
What the Home Connection Program Entails…
Each foster care provider will help prepare a homeless animal for an adoptive home through a number of ways. Aside from providing the day-to-day care filled with grooming, exercise, playtime, chin scratches and love, responsibilities may also include basic training, exposing the animal to different environments, addressing bad behaviors such as jumping, barking, mouthing, destructive chewing and so on or nursing a sick animal back to health.
Shelter animals can come from a variety of situations. Some may have grown up in a home where they were well loved while others may have been abused or neglected. Evaluating the animal’s temperament outside of the shelter as well as socializing and teaching the animal to properly interact with people and other animals makes a foster care provider the most important resource in helping to connect a homeless animal with the best possible adopter.
We also often need short-term fosters who can house an animal temporarily until a transport or rescue is able to accept the animal.
Is The Home Connection Foster Program For You?
Here are some important questions to think about, before applying to become a foster for
The Animal Protection League Home Connection Program.
Can you spend a reasonable amount of time helping the animal prepare for an adoptive home?
Foster care providers should plan on spending at least one hour per day in addition to a daily care routine, socializing and working with the animal. In some cases, correcting bad behaviors, housebreaking and crate training will need to be introduced.
Is your home ready for a foster animal?
Like any new pet, foster animals will be subject to an adjustment period in your home. Some may chew on, soil on or cause damage to your personal belongings.
Can you commit to the entire foster period?
While we hope each animal gets adopted quickly, we cannot guarantee the length of time each foster pet will be in your care. Some animals may be adopted within days or weeks, others can take months. Some foster care providers may be able to accommodate a short-term stay for an animal. The Animal Protection League is working to build a team of fosters who can temporarily house an adoptable animal while in transition for transport or rescue.
Will you be able to handle a sick or recovering animal?
Some of our animals may be recuperating or recovering from a medical condition, illness or surgical procedure. Each animal in the Home Connection Program will also be spayed or neutered and may have a period of downtime while in your care. In other cases, your foster animal may be undergoing treatment for infections such as Heartworm Disease and will need to be kept calm and quiet during its stay with you.
Will you be able to participate in Pet Connection satellite adoption events?
We have witnessed time and again, the power of “animal magnetism”. The exposure is necessary for an adoptable animal to find a permanent and loving home. We ask that each foster care provider transport their healthy, adult animals to at least one adoption event per month and transport healthy, baby or young animals to at least two adoption events per month.
Will you be able to help market the animal?
Foster care providers are key advocates and partners for an adoptable animal. Providing up-to-date photos, videos and descriptions regarding the animal’s likes, dislikes, temperament and personality make a tremendous impact for the animal. Although foster care providers cannot promise the animal to any interested parties, (all applications must be thoroughly screened), you can provide important feedback to help us make the best connection for the animal. Fosters may also be asked to help address inquiries from potential adopters.
Will you be able to keep The APL Home Connection Team updated on the animal?
Each foster care provider is required to check in with us every other week. Keeping the team updated on the animal’s health, temperament and progress is essential to maintaining the most current information for potential adopters. Some animals may require more frequent visits to the Shelter for follow-up vaccinations or basic veterinary care.
Will you be able to handle the cost of care for the animal?
Funds are extremely limited at The Animal Protection League and we hope to one day, make a financial impact the Home Connection Foster Program. For now, foster care providers must assume the responsibility of any necessary supplies including but not limited to cost of food, litter, bedding, collars, leashes, toys, transport, kennel, and any other incidental costs associated with the care of the animal. We are so thankful to each of our fosters and will offer donated items as available. Foster care providers should notify our group immediately if the animal needs medical attention as we will not be able to cover the cost of veterinary care outside of our network.
Will you be able to provide monthly heartworm preventative?
We are working very hard to raise enough funds to provide all of our animals with heartworm preventative. Unfortunately, we have not yet reached the point where we can. We graciously ask that each foster care provider be willing to provide heartworm preventative until we can find an alternative solution.
Will you be emotionally prepared to see your foster pet adopted?
The adoption process for a foster care provider can be remarkably rewarding! Seeing an animal connect with a permanent and loving home is an indescribably wonderful experience. The process of “letting go” however, can be very difficult for those who become emotionally attached.
Can you really make a difference for humans and animals?
Yes! You really can. In fact, you will be an essential piece in the effort to end the euthanasia of healthy and adoptable animals. Each time an animal enters The APL’s Home Connection Program, a space is opened in the Shelter. Every moment you spend working with the animal, increases its adoption success. And, you will be a bridge in helping others to experience the benefit of the human/animal bond, connecting an adoptable animal with a loving, and permanent home. Click here to make your first steps towards becoming a Home Connection Foster!
The Animal Protection League Home Connection Program.
Can you spend a reasonable amount of time helping the animal prepare for an adoptive home?
Foster care providers should plan on spending at least one hour per day in addition to a daily care routine, socializing and working with the animal. In some cases, correcting bad behaviors, housebreaking and crate training will need to be introduced.
Is your home ready for a foster animal?
Like any new pet, foster animals will be subject to an adjustment period in your home. Some may chew on, soil on or cause damage to your personal belongings.
Can you commit to the entire foster period?
While we hope each animal gets adopted quickly, we cannot guarantee the length of time each foster pet will be in your care. Some animals may be adopted within days or weeks, others can take months. Some foster care providers may be able to accommodate a short-term stay for an animal. The Animal Protection League is working to build a team of fosters who can temporarily house an adoptable animal while in transition for transport or rescue.
Will you be able to handle a sick or recovering animal?
Some of our animals may be recuperating or recovering from a medical condition, illness or surgical procedure. Each animal in the Home Connection Program will also be spayed or neutered and may have a period of downtime while in your care. In other cases, your foster animal may be undergoing treatment for infections such as Heartworm Disease and will need to be kept calm and quiet during its stay with you.
Will you be able to participate in Pet Connection satellite adoption events?
We have witnessed time and again, the power of “animal magnetism”. The exposure is necessary for an adoptable animal to find a permanent and loving home. We ask that each foster care provider transport their healthy, adult animals to at least one adoption event per month and transport healthy, baby or young animals to at least two adoption events per month.
Will you be able to help market the animal?
Foster care providers are key advocates and partners for an adoptable animal. Providing up-to-date photos, videos and descriptions regarding the animal’s likes, dislikes, temperament and personality make a tremendous impact for the animal. Although foster care providers cannot promise the animal to any interested parties, (all applications must be thoroughly screened), you can provide important feedback to help us make the best connection for the animal. Fosters may also be asked to help address inquiries from potential adopters.
Will you be able to keep The APL Home Connection Team updated on the animal?
Each foster care provider is required to check in with us every other week. Keeping the team updated on the animal’s health, temperament and progress is essential to maintaining the most current information for potential adopters. Some animals may require more frequent visits to the Shelter for follow-up vaccinations or basic veterinary care.
Will you be able to handle the cost of care for the animal?
Funds are extremely limited at The Animal Protection League and we hope to one day, make a financial impact the Home Connection Foster Program. For now, foster care providers must assume the responsibility of any necessary supplies including but not limited to cost of food, litter, bedding, collars, leashes, toys, transport, kennel, and any other incidental costs associated with the care of the animal. We are so thankful to each of our fosters and will offer donated items as available. Foster care providers should notify our group immediately if the animal needs medical attention as we will not be able to cover the cost of veterinary care outside of our network.
Will you be able to provide monthly heartworm preventative?
We are working very hard to raise enough funds to provide all of our animals with heartworm preventative. Unfortunately, we have not yet reached the point where we can. We graciously ask that each foster care provider be willing to provide heartworm preventative until we can find an alternative solution.
Will you be emotionally prepared to see your foster pet adopted?
The adoption process for a foster care provider can be remarkably rewarding! Seeing an animal connect with a permanent and loving home is an indescribably wonderful experience. The process of “letting go” however, can be very difficult for those who become emotionally attached.
Can you really make a difference for humans and animals?
Yes! You really can. In fact, you will be an essential piece in the effort to end the euthanasia of healthy and adoptable animals. Each time an animal enters The APL’s Home Connection Program, a space is opened in the Shelter. Every moment you spend working with the animal, increases its adoption success. And, you will be a bridge in helping others to experience the benefit of the human/animal bond, connecting an adoptable animal with a loving, and permanent home. Click here to make your first steps towards becoming a Home Connection Foster!