BECOME A FOSTER CARER

The bridge between homeless and home

FOSTER CARING SAVES LIVES

Lost and Found Pets Illawarra Rescue foster carers provide temporary homes for cats and dogs in need.

Foster caring serves as a beacon of hope for countless abandoned, neglected, and homeless animals, offering them a second chance at life and love. Without the intervention of foster carers, many animals would languish in overcrowded pounds or face the grim prospect of euthanasia.

Foster homes provide a temporary haven where animals can receive the individualised care, attention, and rehabilitation they need to thrive. By opening their hearts and homes, foster carers become lifelines for these animals, offering them the opportunity to find forever families.

The impact of animal foster caring extends far beyond simply providing shelter; it offers animals a second at a happy life. In foster homes, animals receive personalised attention, socialisation and training, which are essential for preparing them for adoption into loving homes.

Through the dedication and commitment of foster carers, animals are given the tools they need to grow into happy and healthy family members. Whether they're nursing sick or injured animals back to health or helping shy animals come out of their shells, foster carers play a vital role in saving lives and giving animals the opportunity to flourish.

The ripple effects of animal foster carers extend beyond the individual animals themselves, fostering a culture of compassion and empathy within communities. By opening their homes to foster animals, carers not only provide direct care but also inspire others to get involved and make a difference.

Through the sharing of their fostering experiences on social media or within their social circles, foster carers raise awareness about the importance of adoption, desexing, and responsible pet ownership. In this way, animal foster caring not only saves the lives of individual animals but also contributes to building a more humane society where every animal is valued and cherished.

WE PROVIDE:

All veterinary work
All parasite treatments
Full support and guidance from our team throughout your whole fostering experience
Online Foster Carer Forum where you can ask anything you need to know.

By becoming a foster carer with Lost and Found Pets Illawarra Rescue, you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of animals in need while experiencing the joy of providing them with love and care in your home.

FOSTER CARERS PROVIDE

A healthy and safe environment for their foster animals
All food for your foster animal. As a small rescue group without major funding, we do not have the funds to provide food for carers all the time, however when we do get donations we always pass them straight to our carers
Transportation for vet appointments (we have volunteer transporters if you needed)
Socialisation and play time to help teach the animals about positive family and pet relationships
Plenty of exercise, enrichment, basic training and positive stimulation to help them develop into loving happy animals
Litter for cats – Like food, we often get donations that we pass onto carers

BENEFITS FOSTERING PETS CAN HAVE FOR YOUR KIDS

Fostering pets can be a valuable and transformative experience for kids. It not only teaches them important life lessons but also provides them with the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of animals in need.

Here's a concise guide to the benefits of fostering pets for kids:

Empathy and Compassion: Fostering pets exposes kids to the needs and emotions of animals. Caring for a pet in a temporary home teaches empathy and compassion, helping children develop a greater understanding of the feelings and well-being of others.
Responsibility and Accountability: Fostering pets requires kids to take on responsibilities such as feeding, grooming, and providing companionship. This hands-on experience fosters a sense of accountability and helps kids understand the commitment involved in caring for a living being.
Problem-Solving Skills: Foster children learn to anticipate and address the needs of their temporary pets. They develop problem-solving skills as they find solutions to challenges that arise, such as training issues or behavioural concerns.
Patience and Understanding: Caring for foster pets may require patience as kids learn to work with animals that have unique personalities and backgrounds. This experience teaches them the importance of patience and understanding in building positive relationships.
Emotional Resilience: Kids may experience a range of emotions during the fostering process, from joy and attachment to sadness when it's time for the pet to move on. Learning to manage and navigate these emotions contributes to emotional resilience and coping skills.
Lifelong Lessons: The lessons learned from fostering pets extend far beyond childhood. Kids carry the values of empathy, responsibility, and compassion into adulthood, influencing their interactions with animals and people throughout their lives.
Sense of Purpose: Fostering pets provides kids with a sense of purpose and accomplishment. They can see the direct impact of their care and effort on the well-being of the animals, boosting their self-esteem and confidence.
Bonding and Companionship: The close relationship developed between foster pets and kids creates a unique bond of companionship and friendship. Kids experience the joy of providing comfort and companionship to animals in need.
Education and Learning: Fostering pets offers educational opportunities about animal behavior, health, and well-being. Kids can learn about different species, proper care, and the importance of spaying/neutering and vaccinations.
Community Involvement: Fostering pets may involve collaboration with local animal shelters or rescue organisations. Kids become part of a larger community dedicated to animal welfare and learn about the importance of giving back.

Conclusion

Fostering pets for kids is an enriching experience that instils valuable life skills, empathy, and a sense of responsibility. The positive impact of fostering extends beyond the temporary care of animals, leaving a lasting impression on children's character and worldview.

By fostering pets, kids become compassionate advocates for animals and learn the power of making a difference in the lives of those in need.

APPLY TO BECOME A FOSTER CARER

FAQ

How long do I need to foster an animal?
It depends on the animal and we have no way of guaranteeing a timeframe. Sometimes it can be 2 weeks, other times it can be a couple of months.

Who can become a foster carer?
Anyone over 18 who lives in The Illawarra can apply.

I’m not the most experienced pet owner, can I still be a foster carer?
Yes! Our amazing team will guide you through the process, ensuring you have the support needed when you welcome a new animal into your home.

What if I want to adopt my foster animal?
We absolutely love it when our foster carers adopt. Just let us know!

What if I already have my own pets at home, can I still foster?
Yes, we love foster families who have their own pets. It can teach the foster animal how to interact with other animals and this is a huge benefit when it comes to adoption time! We work hard to make sure everyone is comfortable with a foster placement and the animal is a good match for your home environment.

Can I foster if I have young children?
Yes. We encourage young families to foster. It teaches the kids wonderful lessons in caring for an animal and is a huge benefit for the animal when it comes to adoption time! We will match you with a child friendly foster animal.

We recommend that an adult supervise all interactions between foster animals and young children. Children need to be taught the right way to treat an animal and what it means to respect an animal’s cues and need for space.

Can I foster just for a few weeks?
Yes. Sometimes we have situations come up where an animal may need a temporary carer. This may be because their regular carer is going away or a fulltime carer may not be available right away.

What vet do you use?

Our vet clinic is Albion Park Rail Veterinary Clinic.

Where do your dogs and cats come from?

Our animals are rescued from various situations. Some come from our local council pounds and some are surrendered to us from owners who can no longer care for them. We will always do our best to provide you with the background of your foster animal if possible.

What if I’m going out of town?
Communication is very important when it comes to fostering. We ask that foster carers let us know as soon as possible when they’ll be out of town, so we can organise a temporary carer.

Can I choose my foster animal?
You can provide criteria (i.e. age, size) for what type of dog or cat you want to foster and we will always do our best to match it. We post any animals in need of care in our online forum, so you can let us know if you would like to foster them.