Did you know that June is officially Foster A Pet Month? Fosters are always needed in the world of animal care. However, this year, this situation has become quite urgent, because of the coronavirus. The pandemic has in many places both slowed down adoptions and TNR programs and, unfortunately, increased surrenders. What is fostering, and is it a good option for you? A local Bourne, MA vet offers some tips on this below.
Pets need fostering for many different reasons. With baby animals, they may simply need more care than shelters can provide, particularly overnight. Socialization is also very important for young pets. Other pets may need to finish their training, or perhaps heal from an illness or injury. There are also pets that are fostered because their owners are deployed, working out of state, ill, or just unable to care for them right now. Last but not least, some pets also need to be fostered because their shelters or rescues don’t have physical buildings.
There are some great reasons to consider fostering a pet. For one thing, it’s a way for you to both help an animal in need and support your local community. If you’re spending a lot of time at home, it also offers you something to fill your time with. Plus, helping an animal is very rewarding, which can be quite comforting in troubled times. If you have kids at home, this can also be a great learning experience—as well as a comfort and distraction—for them. Another good thing about fostering is that, unlike adoption, it is a short-term commitment.
Fostering is a big commitment, so think long and hard before proceeding. You’ll need to consider things like your household, budget, and schedule, as well as other pets. Make sure that you can afford caring for your furry friend. It’s also important to realize that you may have trouble saying goodbye when the time comes. It’s very easy to get attached to an animal you’ve been caring for! Many beloved pets were originally fosters that their now-humans got really attached to. While these ‘foster fail’ situations aren’t exactly bad, they do somewhat defeat the purpose.
As your Bourne, MA vet clinic, we’re here to help however we can in this difficult year. Please feel free to contact us anytime.
