There are many different ways to help rescue efforts in your area. One of the most needed things, however, are foster homes.
Foster homes can mean the difference between life and death for an animal in an urgent situation!
There are many things to consider when thinking about becoming a foster home.
Do you have a safe place to keep a foster animal?
Dogs need to be kept in a securely fenced yard, or a kennel run. Cats should be kept indoors. Other animals should have appropriate fencing and/or caging for their species. Home checks may be required to become a foster home.

Do you have the time to spend with an animal that may need training or socializing?
Many animals that need rescuing come from abusive or neglectful situations. One of the benefits of adopting a pet through a rescue group with foster homes, is that bad habits and temperaments have been assessed, as well as health, and some training has been done. Things like housebreaking, basic manners, basic obedience and socialization may be part of the tasks required of a foster home.

Are you financially able to care for a foster animal?
Some rescue groups have foster homes through their group. That means that you will probably sign some sort of paperwork with the group, and be responsible for a set amount of things through the group. Sometimes, especially with groups that are licensed non-profit, this may mean that some things such as food and/or medical care for the pet will be provided for by the group. This is not always the case, however, and those things may be your responsibility as the foster home. We hope to never burden a home with a huge medical problem without their knowledge, but you should consider that you will at LEAST be responsible for the food for the animal you foster.

Are you prepared to take on responsibility for this animal?
No matter how you choose to foster, you will be responsible for the animal, just as if it were your own while it is in your care. This means that no rescue group, shelter, this network or any other individual will be responsible for any damage done to your property or another's property by the animal in your care. As rescuers, we hope that severe problems - such as aggressive animals, would never be placed in a home that is not prepared for such problems. However, destructive behaviors such as digging and separation anxiety are often seen, especially in dogs from abusive situations.

Now you know some of the major responsibilities that go along with choosing to foster an animal. Read on for some frequently asked questions from people thinking about becoming foster homes.

How do I become a foster home?
Paws Across the Northwest does not have foster homes "through" their network. In other words, we are not responsible for any of the homes that take in pets for fostering. Many of the rescue groups that participate in our network, however, do have foster homes under them. Some of the benefits of being with a rescue group include: more exposure for the pet in your care which increases how fast it may find a home; some benefits such as medical care provided and perhaps food; and a set adoption fee and adoption requirements and forms for potential new homes. Many people choose to become foster homes on their own, however. This means that you are fully responsible for any expenses required by that pet, and for setting your own fees, requirements and maintaining paperwork for adoptions. Shelters and groups may still require that a home visit be done and/or references be provided before releasing any animals into your care for fostering. Paws Across the Northwest will also require references before listing individual foster homes.

How long will an animal be in my care?
We would like to say that all animals placed in foster care will only remain there maybe a few months maximum. This, however, is not a completely realistic thought. It is hard to say how long an animal will remain in your care. We will do everything we can, though, to get as much exposure as possible for animals listed on our network.