Walking into the cat room at an animal shelter can be an overwhelming experience, especially right now, in the midst of “kitten season.” So many cats in need of homes … What true cat lover wouldn’t want to help them all? But most adopters can take only one or perhaps two lucky cats or kittens home with them.
There is a way, though, to help lots of cats over time: by becoming a foster caregiver.
Maryland’s Montgomery County Humane Society offers these top 10 reasons to become part of their foster program:
10. You have time to make a commitment to one or more animals for a shorter period than the animal’s entire lifetime.
9. You have lots of love and want to provide TLC for animals in general, or a particular breed.
8. You’re motivated to help ease the burden on the shelter, which in turn allows caring for more animals and speeding up the adoption process.
7. The home environment you offer is much more likely to resemble life with a new permanent adopter, making it possible for the animal to adjust to a new permanent home that much faster.
6. With MCHS guidance, you can choose the type of animal you’d like to foster.
5. MCHS pays for basic shots, the foster animal’s spay/neuter, and medical costs.
4. You’ll extend your own network of friends among other fosters and adopters.
3. You get to help find the animal’s new home through MCHS adoption events, profile and photos on the MCHS website.
2. You’re giving many animals a second chance at life.
1. You’re a rescuer! You’re a hero to your foster animals, the families who adopt them, and your own friends and family.
Fosters provide temporary care to homeless animals and help the animals in their care get adopted into permanent homes. Typically, caregivers for MCHS will care for an animal for a few weeks at a time. Then the caregiver can take in a new foster animal.
Potential MCHS foster caregivers must meet the following requirements:
• Approval of landlord if you are renting
• Provide own transportation to the shelter and for veterinary appointments
• Have a flexible schedule
• Commit to at least six months in the program
• Complete a Foster Care Application and sign a foster care agreement
• Agree to a home visit/training interview by foster staff
• Ability to lift, push, carry 15-20 pounds
• Offer physical separation from your own animals as needed
Anyone interested in fostering for MCHS can learn more by visiting them on the Web, or by calling 240-793-4201 or e-mailing fostermau@mchumane.org.
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