Not even COVID-19 can stop the coming of spring "kitten season," and the urgent need for pet fostering during this time. Kitten season creates an influx of newborn cats across the country and, with many shelters closed, there aren’t nearly as many staff to take care of new kittens—including bottle feeding babies. Many shelters need more fosters than usual and rely on those who can provide around-the-clock care to keep kittens healthy until they can eat solid foods. (Bonus: as we learn to adapt to our new “normal,” and find ourselves at home more than ever, fostering a pet could be a perfect way to keep them safe and you company!) Dr. Amanda Landis-Hanna, senior manager of veterinary outreach at PetSmart Charities, offers the following tips for anyone looking to foster at this time. —Vita Daily
involve the whole family. Involve the whole family in the fostering conversation. Will kids be responsible for feeding the new "roommate"? How will your family tolerate future adoption? Do your current pets tolerate other animals OK? The new pet is a big change for everyone, so allow everyone to weigh in, and suggest how they would like to help care for the pet.
pet-proof your home. Adjusting to a new environment can be a daunting task for new pets. Many animals can jump onto high surfaces or squeeze into the smallest of spaces. To protect foster pets in a new environment and to safeguard your belongings, it’s recommended to animal-proof your entire house. Pay attention to any small or dangerous objects, such as pins, needles, paper clips, nails, staples, thread, string, rubber bands, caustic/toxic chemicals, moth balls, plants and any other items that are potentially dangerous. We also recommend performing a check at pet-eye-level (on hands-and-knees or squatting) to ensure you aren’t missing anything. (Pro tip: animals are attracted to electrical cords, TV cords, telephone cords and curtains. These items should all be blocked so they can’t get at them.)
vaccination and treatment. Make sure your foster pet is up-to-date on vaccinations. Many infectious diseases for pets are preventable through vaccinations, including Canine Influenza, Leptospirosis (which can be transmitted to people) and Lyme. The cost of prevention is far less than the cost of the treatment and helps to keep pets healthy and free from disease.
check your foster pet’s food. Pets at varying ages have different nutrient requirements, so consider assessing your pet’s food and adjust accordingly. For example, if your dog is overweight, certain weight management pet food formulas can help them lose weight, along with exercise. Consult your veterinarian on any changes to your pet’s food, and always accurately measure your pet’s food versus “eyeballing it.”
groom your foster pet. It is recommended to professionally groom your pet every four to six weeks. While that may not be possible at the moment, between salon appointments, use at-home grooming tools such as a cat or dog-specific tooth brush and specially formulated tooth paste, a nice rubber brush to help de-shed and invigorate the skin and coat, ear cleaner and cotton balls to gently cleanse the ears, and wipes for cleaning around the face, mouth and eyes.
how to get started as a foster. Call your local shelter, or animal welfare organization and complete necessary forms and background check. Some organizations may provide financial support for foster parents, while others may not be offering support at this time due to the emergency situation.
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