APPLY TO BECOME

FOSTER HOMES & VOLUNTEERS

Our volunteer foster parents provide a temporary home for animals and help them recover from surgery, give them medicine for an illness, or work with them to improve their behaviour.

 From time to time we need foster parents to provide temporary homes for cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and farm animals year-round, but our greatest need for cat fosterers is during the busy summer months.

Please help by applying -  Foster application enquiry.

FOSTERS FOR CATS

Fostering is extremely rewarding, and also sometimes heartbreaking. Many of our foster animals, like cats and kittens can be sick, scared, malnourished or injured, so our foster volunteers need to be prepared to deal with these situations. Usual cat and kitten duties include cleaning litter trays, washing and filling food and water bowls - you will also need to administer medications, bathe sticky eyes, or clean wounds. As well as food and litter costs, The Peaceable Kin-Dom also covers vet consults and medication needed for the fosters in your care.

Care for foster cats as though they are your own pets - you will find it so rewarding seeing your foster cats or kittens blossom into a happy, confident and loving companion!

FOSTERS FOR DOGS

When you foster, you agree to take a homeless dog into your home, and give him or her love, care and attention for a predetermined time or until the dog is adopted.

Fostering a dog is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have (other than adopting, of course). By taking an animal in need temporarily into your home you’re:

  • freeing up a spot so we can take in another dog.

  • giving your foster dog the time he needs to be ready for adoption.

  • helping us learn more about the dog so he can end up in the best home possible.

  • socializing the dog to a home environment and possibly getting him used to being around other pets and different types of people

FOSTERS FOR HORSES

More info to come

FOSTERS FOR OTHERS

More info to come
WANT TO KNOW MORE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What you need to help?

  • Time – on average an animal will be staying with you between 3-6 weeks but this can differ depending on the type of animal you foster and each individual animal’s circumstances

  • Spare room (required for cats) – a safe and secure space away from other animals which could be a spare room, bathroom or laundry.

  • Consent from your landlord – if you don’t own your home.

  • Care – most animals will require medication throughout their stay (training on how to medicate an animal is provided)

  • Transport – you will need your own transport 24/7 to bring foster animals to and from the centre or to an after-hours vet should your foster animal need emergency veterinary treatment in the middle of the night.– some animals might need more than one visit to the vet

  • Availability for vet appointments – you must be able to bring the foster animal to vet appointments on weekdays

  • Attend a foster information session at the centre before you start fostering

  • Copy of owned animals vaccination records

  • We will need photo(s) of your foster room/set-up

  • Your love and patience

What does fostering involve?

Every animal has different needs, but a typical foster experience might include:

  • Filling out our application form and a quick follow-up phone interview with our foster team to make sure fostering is right for you

  • Attending an information and training workshop at our centre

  • Pick up your foster animal and required supplies. We’ll give you food, bedding, toys, medicine and anything else your foster needs – some animals may also need a follow-up vet appointment

  • Give your foster animal your love, care and patience, and introduce them to a real home life experience, rules and boundaries

  • Complete daily monitoring records

  • Return the animal back to the centre when they have recovered or are scheduled to return

​Foster FAQs

Which animals need foster care?

  • Mothers with a litter of kittens

  • Orphaned kittens who are able to feed themselves, but are not yet old enough to be desexed and adopted out

  • Sick or injured animals that are under the care of vets, but need the nurturing environment of a home

  • Animals with diseases contagious to other animals who can’t be housed at the centre

Can I foster if I have my own animals?

Yes, we welcome pet owners as foster volunteers. Please keep in mind there is always a health risk when exposing your pets to other animals, in any setting. So we ask that your own animals be fully vaccinated and be kept completely separate from foster animals.

Can I foster if I have a full-time job?

It depends on the flexibility of your job and your schedule, and the animal you would like to foster. If you work full-time you could, for example look after an adult cat. Most of our foster parents do work full-time, but are able to spend time with their foster animals before and after work. It is, however important that you are able to accommodate urgent vet visits in your schedule if a foster animal is seriously ill and needs to be seen by a vet right away.

How much time do I need to spend with my foster animals?

As much time as you possibly can. The more time you spend with your foster animals, the more you will help with their socialisation. You’ll also be able to spot signs that your animals are not feeling well, which in kittens could be critical. Besides, it’s a lot of fun to play with foster animals!

How long do animals stay in foster care?

The typical foster stay is between two weeks to a couple of months, depending on the need of the individual animal.

What expenses are involved with foster care?

All foster families are provided with all the bedding, equipment (such as litter trays) and medical expenses are covered for the animals in their care. Cat fosters will also have all food for their foster animals provided.