What is a foster and what do I do?
A pet foster parent provides temporary, in-home care for puppies/kittens and adult dog/cats until they can be placed in their forever homes. Foster homes are the only way it is possible for us to rescue homeless animals from a variety of situations by providing these animals with temporary care and shelter until they are adopted. Foster homes are asked to provide foster animals with plenty of love, adequate food (provided) and water, shelter from the elements and exercise. Administering medication may also be required.

Why are foster homes needed?
We can only rescue as many animals as we have foster homes for. Unfortunately hundreds of animals each day are euthanized in shelters because we have more animals than space to house them. Most of these animals are healthy and friendly. Local animal rescue groups have to turn away dozens of adoptable animals each week because they lack foster parents. Not only do foster parents maximize the number of animals rescued, they also help to care for animals that would be difficult to care for in a shelter or kennel environment such as animals recovering from major surgery or dogs and cats needing one-on-one behavior rehabilitation or a break from the shelter. 

Who should foster?

• Someone who cannot, at the moment, adopt a pet for its entire lifetime.
• Someone who loves to volunteer, yet cannot make it to adoption events.
  
• Someone who never had the chance to have a pet but would really like to have one now.
• Someone who loves pets and has some room to welcome them while they wait for an adoptive home.

I already own a dog and a cat. Can I still foster?
Yes! Before you bring a foster animal home, consult with your veterinarian to make sure your own pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations. You may wish to ask your veterinarian if your pets need any additional vaccinations. Also if you know that your animal does not get along well with certain types of pets, you may want to reconsider fostering an animal and look at other ways that you can volunteer your time to help homeless animals.

I'm ready to foster. What do I do now?
If you would like to become a foster for Metro AAAA, please call 313-571-2985 or drop us an e-mail at metroaaaa@aol.com. You can also stop by any of our adoption events and introduce yourself.