Foster

We are ALWAYS in need of loving, caring, and committed foster homes. Fostering can be one of the most rewarding experiences you'll have in life, so please won't you consider becoming a foster home? Our foster homes are our life-line for survival as an animal rescue group.  As a foster parent, you are the provider of love and care for these special pets.  Many of the pets have been abandoned, abused or neglected.  Some need work on socialization; some need to learn to accept kindness which they may have never before experienced; some need to learn what being loved means.

Your input is invaluable for our dog and cat coordinators as they use your insights to help determine the best possible permanent adoptive family for your foster pet.  Although it may be difficult to say goodbye as your pet moves to his or her  forever family, the gift you have given is immensely valuable.

And, as one pet leaves your loving household, perhaps that space can be filled with another precious cat or dog on his special journey toward his or her forever home.

Process
You must first complete the foster application.  On the application, you may select to foster only cats or only dogs. Please let us know if you have a special interest in young puppies or kittens. An IMPACT representative will then be in touch and review the process, which will include an interview and a home visit.  If you are approved to be a foster home, there is no charge. You will be given input as to which animal will be placed as a foster in your home.

After approval, you will be eligible to receive an animal in need and care for it until a new owner is approved.

Responsibilities
IMPACT retains medical responsibility  and pays all incurred health care expenses for all  fostered animals.  All cats and dogs are spayed/neutered and vaccinated. All dogs are screened for heartworms and cats are screened for Feline Leukemia & FIV. IMPACT works with several local veterinary hospitals.

All medical concerns must first be addressed through the Cat and / or Dog Coordinators. Any medical appointments and treatments must be preapproved, and veterinary care administered through one of IMPACT's approved veterinary providers. Some veterinary clinics will require an authorized IMPACT  representative to accompany the foster parent when vet care is administered.

The foster home is typically responsible for transporting their fosters to and from veterinary appointments and adoption weekends. Monthly adoption events are an integral part of the IMPACT program. If a foster parent will be unable to transport their foster pet, they must notify Coordinators as early as possible. Ideally, the foster parent will stay with the pet to answer questions from potential adopters, although not absolutely mandatory. It is imperative that all pets are freshly groomed, free of any parasites, and in good health.

It is vital that the foster family maintain close communication with the Dog Coordinator or Cat Coordinator. Coordinators must be immediately informed of any health, behavioral, or placement  issues or concerns. It is so much better to intervene early should problems arise.

IMPACT for Animals generally requests foster families to provide for the basic needs of their foster pet without reimbursement (primarily food, toys, and basic supplies, such as food dish, leash, etc). If special circumstances should arise, please discuss this with the Dog or Cat Coordinator. We certainly will explore ways to provide assistance in these areas for our valued foster families.

If you would like more information on fostering an animal in need, or perhaps a chance to chat with an experienced foster family to see what the experience is like, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Click here to fill out the foster application.