Ever wondered if fostering pets might be right for you? Today’s article covers the essentials of fostering and why it matters.
If you’ve adopted a pet before, chances are they spent time with a foster family who helped them adjust to life outside a shelter. Fostering gives dogs, cats, and even small critters a safe, loving space until they’re ready for their forever homes.
For shelters stretched thin, it’s truly a lifesaver—and for you, it’s a heartwarming experience full of snuggles, new lessons, and the joy of watching a pet thrive in your care.
How Fostering Helps
Fostering is so much more than providing a cozy spot to sleep. It helps shelters ease overcrowding, gives pets a chance to recover from medical procedures, and lets shy or nervous animals practice home life before finding their forever family. As a foster, you also get the joy of discovering each pet’s quirks and helping their true personality shine for future adopters.
And here’s the best part—you don’t need special training or a huge backyard to foster. Rescues work hard to match pets with the right homes. Whether you’d love a playful puppy, a sweet senior kitty, or something in between, there’s a furry friend out there who could really use your care.
What to Know About Fostering Pets
1. It’s a Serious (but Fun!) Commitment
Fostering can be a quick weekend sleepover or a months-long staycation for your furry guest. The important part is being realistic about what works for you. Most rescues hope you’ll stick with your foster pal until they find their forever home—no matter how long it takes. You may also be asked to attend local adoption events together—think of it as your pet’s version of speed dating until they find The One!
2. Costs are Usually Covered
Good news! Fostering doesn’t usually mean footing the bill for kibble and vet visits. Most rescues provide the essentials like food, toys, and medical care. What they’re really counting on you for is love, patience, and a cozy spot on the couch. Depending on your foster’s personality, you may also want to grab some puppy pads, a baby gate, a crate, and yes—a good quality enzymatic cleaning solution. Because let’s face it, “oopsies” are part of the package deal.
3. Paw-sitive Progress Takes Patience
Well-behaved pets tend to find forever homes faster—but getting there can take some practice. Your foster might need help with crate training, leash skills, or just figuring out that shoes are not chew toys. Many of these critters have never lived in a structured home before, so every “sit” or “stay” is a brand-new concept. Progress might be slow at first, but the joy of watching them learn and grow is priceless. Stick with it, and you’ll be rewarded with tail wags and happy purrs.
4. Get the Whole Household Involved
Before saying yes to fostering, make sure the entire family is ready to pitch in with walks, playtime, and training. Foster groups will also want to confirm your resident pets are up-to-date on vaccines and protected against fleas, ticks, and heartworm. Just as important, your current four-legged family members should be okay with sharing their space—and maybe their favorite sunny spot—with a new friend.
5. The Bittersweet Goodbye
The toughest part of fostering is saying goodbye after you’ve fallen in love. But remember—each farewell opens your home (and heart) to the next animal who needs you. And if you happen to have a “foster fail”? That’s not really failing at all—it just means your furry houseguest was actually meant to stay, and you’ve found the perfect new family member.
You Can Literally Change Lives
Fostering isn’t just about giving a pet a roof over their head—it’s about saving lives and strengthening the whole community. Pets who spend time in foster homes often become more confident and well-adjusted, which makes finding them the right forever match so much easier. Plus, you’ll get to share all the insider scoop—whether your foster has a secret obsession with squeaky toys, a flair for dramatic zoomies, or a love of naps worthy of a professional sleeper.
Many seasoned foster families even discover their “specialty”—some become pros at wrangling wriggly puppies or raising litters of kittens, while others shine nursing pets with medical needs or giving overlooked seniors a place to be comfortable while surrounded by love.
Not Quite Ready for a Full-Time Pet?
Perhaps your lifestyle doesn’t permit full-time pet-parenting, or you’re not sure if you’re ready to commit to a permanent new family member. Even occasional fostering is a huge help to the organizations trying to find homes for all the deserving critters out there. Consider opening your home, even part-time, to a foster friend!
Fostering Pets Near the White Mountains, NH
If you’re ready to dive into fostering, here are a couple local organizations in the White Mountains region that accept foster applications:
- Above the Notch Humane Society (Littleton, NH): This volunteer-driven rescue needs fosters for both cats and dogs. They’ll cover the expenses, you provide the love!
- Second Chance Animal Rescue (Littleton, NH): Focused on cats, they rely heavily on fosters to give felines a safe and caring environment.
- Rescue organizations partnering with transport programs: Many New England rescues coordinate with southern shelters to bring animals north. Fosters help provide short-term housing so pets can safely transition to permanent homes.
Before applying, be sure to check out each foster organization’s unique requirements and their outline of expectations.
Ready to be a Hero?
Fostering is one of the most meaningful ways to help animals in need, especially here in the White Mountains where local shelters rely on volunteers to keep pets safe. You’ll be making a real difference and gaining a rewarding experience in return.
Ready to step up for an animal in need? Contact a local rescue to get started. Just be prepared: many foster families end up with one more permanent member than they planned for, but they wouldn’t have it any other way!