About Fostering

We welcome you to get involved with our foster program. The reasons for needing foster homes are unending. Just as with humans the home is the best environment for our animals before being adopted. And often times we will have animals that need special care for a short time or extended exposure to caring individuals for socialization. These are not things we can offer to an unlimited number of animals at the main shelter. Because we are a no-kill facility there are also times that we exceed the physical capacity space of the shelter. The reasons go on. This is where you come in. If you have an interest in becoming a foster, please click one of the links below to fill out the Fostering Application. Thank you for considering and we hope to hear from you.

As a family, Sandy & Jessica and Kai have been fostering kittens for Country Animal Haven for several years.   Kai is only 2 years old but he is an expert on kitten care and handling.   They open their home to the little ones to help socialize then.  Once the kittens are old enough (10 weeks of age) to go up for adoption and then the family welcomes the next kitten into their home.   It is a wonderful experience for Kai and a huge help for Country Animal Haven.   They provide a safe, loving home for the kittens to start life before they go to their "Forever Home"!

FOSTERING FOR CAH

To be considered as a foster you must:

Be at least 18 years of age.

Provide us with some identification as well as something from your landlord saying you may have a cat in your home if you rent.

Have the consent of all adults living in the household

Understand that fostered animal must be kept indoors.

  Have all other animals in your home vaccinated.

  Understand that we have the right to deny or accept any application

FOSTERING FOR CAH - DETAILED INFORMATION

Responsibilities of the Foster family 

When introducing the foster to your household it is a good idea to provide them with their own space while they gradually get acquainted.  Kittens especially should have a safe space of their own where they know where their food, water and litter is and can rest from the busy activities of the household.  Socialize them when you can supervise them, but put them in their safe place when you are unable to. 

Notify your contact person at the first signs of illness so that we can provide them with the medical care needed.  If they must see a vet your contact will instruct where to take them.  If transport is a problem we will provide the transport. 

Provide them with lots of love and socialization as well as a clean, safe environment. 

Return all equipment to Country Animal Haven when you are done fostering or at our request.

Responsibilities of Country Animal Haven 

Country Animal Haven will provide all medical care of the cat in your care.

We will provide the foster family with food and litter.  If the family would like to provide the food and litter themselves as a donation it is greatly appreciated.

We will provide transport as needed. 

Adoption of your Foster Cat 

When the cat or kitten is ready for adoption we show them at Petsmart West on Sat. from noon to 4pm.  Please have the cat ready for transport or transport them to the adoption clinic for us.  Your transport would be greatly appreciated as time is always at a premium for us.  Make arrangement for the cat to be transferred back to your home if it is not adopted.   You are welcomed to stay at the adoption event to talk with people about your foster. 

When they go to Petsmart they  must have their contract with them and a write up about the cat would be greatly appreciated so that we can better match them to a new home.

If you are willing to let people come to your home to see the cat, let us know.  Especially with adult cats it is better to see them in their normal environment than at the adoption clinic. 

If you have family or friends that wish to adopt the cat, or if you wish to adopt them, your contact will help you with the adoption. 

All equipment provided by us and the animals placed in your care, remain the property of Country Animal Haven. 

How Do We Proceed?

If you are interested in fostering for Country Animal Haven we will arrange a convenient time to come visit with you and answer any questions or concerns you might have.  At that time you can show us where their “safe spot” will be if they are to be kittens and we can arrange for the transfer of the animal/s to you.  Thank you again or your interest in fostering.

The Joys Of Fostering

By Jean Dunham
IIt isn't unusual to get phone calls from people who would like foster kittens. Fun little bundles of fur that, like grandchildren, aren't there to stay but give you lots of laughs until they go.

It is a wonderful thing to do and we welcome those calls. The calls we don't get, however, are the ones from people who would like to foster an adult.

Fostering an adult cat is much more rewarding than kittens. These cats have been torn from life-long homes or have been turned out to survive whatever way they can. Most will have a touch of sadness in their eyes and all will have a story to tell you if you watch and listen. They want love and reassurance and a warm lap

The major concern for most people is having animals already in their homes. I have found by giving them a quiet room of their own for a few days and gradually introducing them to the others in the household that most will be a part of the family in a few days for a couple of weeks. I’ve had some that simply walk in and say “I’m here----period”.

We've had senior cats who have come to live out their last days or months with us. They are grateful to have a warm lap, good food and a sunbeam to curl up in. Sasha was our oldest foster at 19. He was only with us for 4 months, but they were good months for him and for us. He had a favorite chair and loved to be adored. Every day he would go out in the backyard to soak up some sun and to check the yard out. Even on his last day when he could no longer manage the steps from the porch he went out to lie in the sun and look at his beloved yard. Then he came in and curled up in his favorite chair. He was still asleep there when the vet came to ease his way to his next life.

Annie came to stay with us when her people could no longer keep her because of poor health and major changes in their lives. It broke their hearts to leave her, and this shy little girl needed so much love for her own broken heart. She was with us for over a year when her family called. They were able to once more provide her with a home. There were tears of joy as she left for her new home with the people she loved.

We've had other adults that have been with us just a few days or weeks before they found new forever homes. Some were with us a year or more but all enriched our lives while they were there. Fostering an adult cat brings so much love to your lives.

Moe (the orange tabby) with his foster brothers Tuk and Max. Moe came in as a stray. This 26 pounder was taken by the Watkins family to foster. When they came to pick him up they were told their normal cat carrier was never going to work for this guy. They took him anyway, in a borrowed dog carrier, and he has been a great addition to their home. (I'm hearing rumors he may never leave.)

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