You’ve been considering adding a second furry companion to your household lately, but how do you know if now is the right time or not? June is National Foster a Pet Month, and while the team at A.C.E. Veterinary Hospital is all on board on fostering pets, we want you to be prepared and ready for the process. So, before you apply to be a pet foster parent, we want you to ask yourself the following questions first.
Q: Do I have time to take care of an additional pet?
A: Foster pets can require a great deal of care and attention before they find their forever home. Some foster pets are not placed on an adoptable-pet list because they have medical issues that need treatment first, or they may require training, socialization, or rehabilitation to become fit for a new family. Puppies and kittens naturally require more care than adult pets, and senior pets can also demand large amounts of your time. Ensure you understand your foster pet’s needs before committing to their care.
Question: Will my current pet accept a new pet?
Answer: Although you may love the thought of adding more pets, your current pet may not feel the same way. If your cat or dog is not a fan of other animals, fostering a pet may cause too much household discord.
Q: Can I foster a pet without becoming attached?
A: One of the hardest parts of fostering pets is resisting falling in love. You can so easily become attached to a pet whom you have loved and cared for, and you may wind up with a house full of “foster failures.” That may be fine for your situation, but many families cannot foster unlimited pets, so knowing how to prevent yourself from becoming attached to your foster pet may be necessary.
If you’ve asked yourself those questions and think that you are still ready to add a second furry friend to your household, then there’s one more thing you need to do before applying to be a foster pet parent. Make sure your current pet is up to date on vaccinations and parasite preventives to avoid any potential disease and parasite transmission between your two pets. Contact our team for your appointment for your pet. We’re excited to see your new fur baby!