Foster Care Program
Aiken County Animal Shelter is desperately seeking qualified foster homes!
Aiken County Animal Shelter is always in need of foster homes. The more foster homes we have, the more lives we can save. As a foster care volunteer, not only will you be providing a pet with the 1-on-1 attention it so desperately needs, you will be giving yourself a chance to see what it would be like to have a pet companion without the permanent commitment.
Why are foster parents needed?
Some animal shelters, such as the ACAS, are forced to euthanize dozens of healthy and friendly animals each day to make space for the new ones coming into the shelter. ACAS are always in contact with other individuals and organizations seeking help to save these pets at the ACAS. Many of these pets are highly adoptable. Simply put, foster parents maximize the number of pets who can be saved.
Some animal shelters, such as the ACAS, are forced to euthanize dozens of healthy and friendly animals each day to make space for the new ones coming into the shelter. ACAS are always in contact with other individuals and organizations seeking help to save these pets at the ACAS. Many of these pets are highly adoptable. Simply put, foster parents maximize the number of pets who can be saved.
Become a foster parent?
Choosing to be a foster parent is a serious undertaking. It will change your routine and your own companion animals will need to be okay with it. Fostering is a very rewarding experience for everyone involved. Not only do foster parents nurture and care for their charges, they really "share" the experience with the animals. Becoming a foster parent can be rigorous, but it is always rewarding! Fostering also helps us evaluate the pet so we can provide as much information as possible to help us place the pet in the perfect home.
Would I be a good foster parent?
Do you have a spare bedroom, bathroom, laundry room, etc.? Would you feel good knowing you are making a difference, in the life of a displaced pet? A few months of inconvenience turns quickly into a rewarding, educational, challenging, and fun experience you will never forget.
What is involved?
This involves feeding, cleaning, grooming, and playing with the animals. Sometimes, however, that's just the tip of the iceberg for fosters. Because many rescued animals are sick, stressed, or frightened, they may require special care. A frightened animal may require weeks of extra attention and behavioral modification to become ready for adoption.
Fostering a pet in need of shelter, love, and guidance is a time-consuming effort, but it's also one of the most rewarding ways to help homeless pets. Providing a "stepping stone" for animals in search of permanent homes saves lives, alleviates the strain on animal shelters, helps set the stage for successful adoptions, and teaches you the skills that will enable you to help other animals in need.
Does fostering fit your household and your life?The health and welfare of all individuals in your home — human and animal — must be considered before bringing in another creature. Fostering a homeless pet should never be considered unless your home environment is happy, safe, healthy, and spacious enough to nurture the foster pet adequately and retain sanity among the existing members of your home. If any of your family members have allergies, excessive stress, other physical or mental health issues, career instability, financial difficulties, or housing or space restrictions, fostering is not a good option for you at this time.
But if you believe you have the ability to foster, and the entire household agrees that fostering would be a positive experience, your next question should be "Do I have the time?"
Fostering a shelter pet is a 24/7 job. Although you may not be physically interacting with the animal every second of the day, you will be responsible around the clock for the pet's safety, comfort, and general well-being, and this responsibility alone can be exhausting.
If your work or family schedule is already so hectic that adding another time-consuming responsibility will only create more stress, do not consider fostering at this time.
The amount of personal attention needed will vary greatly from animal to animal, but you can expect to spend anywhere from three to seven hours a day interacting with a foster pet, and even more if you're planning to foster puppies or kittens. Teaching dogs or cats the lessons they will need to become happy, thriving, lifelong members of another family is the essence of fostering, and this takes time and patience.
Can I keep the pet I foster if I want to?
Yes, you certainly can, in almost every situation. It happens quite often, and we suspect is one of the reasons that foster homes are in short supply.
Do I get to choose the pet I foster?
This is not very likely. The program will place a pet based on need, temperament, and matched to your abilities.
Letting go?
It can be a difficult process for you to let them go but keep this in mind: Once one rescue has found a good home that opens up a space for another one to be saved.
We know what you are thinking...
Oh, I could NEVER do that! I could NEVER give up the pet! Well, we know how you feel, because we all felt the same. Admittedly, it is not painless, you do cry, and you miss them. Yet, we promise, the pain disappears when your NEW pet arrives from the shelter that NEEDS you. The pain is fleeting compared to the wonderful feeling of knowing that YOU truly saved a pet's life by allowing us to have enough foster homes. Anyone who fosters must be realistic about the expected outcome: that the animal will be adopted by another family. While it is impossible not to become attached to a sweet dog or cat living in your home, it's necessary to keep your original goals in mind and remain committed to finding the animal a new family.
I already own a dog and a cat. Can I still foster?
Foster pets may be allowed to interact with your own pets. Before you bring a foster animal home, consult with your veterinarian to make sure your own pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations. You may wish to ask your veterinarian if your pets need any additional vaccinations.
To become a foster parent for dogs or cats, please contact us or fill out this Foster Care Form and fax to us at: 803-643-4006. After your form is received, you will be contacted for a site evaluation from one of the Animal Control officers just to assure that the animal will be in a safe environment.
Once the site evaluation is completed and you are approved, you are one of our official foster homes. You may pick up your animal(s) at the Aiken County Shelter for either a short or long term foster care situation. Short term care is often needed for 5-10 days while animals are awaiting transport to new homes or no kill shelters. Longer term care, especially for puppies and kittens will help keep them healthy and socialized until an adoption cage or opportunity opens up.
Once the site evaluation is completed and you are approved, you are one of our official foster homes. You may pick up your animal(s) at the Aiken County Shelter for either a short or long term foster care situation. Short term care is often needed for 5-10 days while animals are awaiting transport to new homes or no kill shelters. Longer term care, especially for puppies and kittens will help keep them healthy and socialized until an adoption cage or opportunity opens up.
We could save so many more cats and dogs if we had YOUR help.
