Please Help.....Foster An Animal
Foster Care is critical to our rescuing efforts. The more foster homes we have, the more ba
bies we can save. The Foster Care Program through Angels On Wheels is needed for animals rescued from high kill shelters needing temporary homes. These animals just need a place to lay their heads until their forever family is found. Becoming a foster parent is a very rewarding experience, and can be a lot of fun. Watching these scared babies turn into flowers makes fostering worth the effort. There are may tears shed when they finally find homes of their own, but knowing you have save a life and opened up space to save another helps the tears go away.
Who can be a foster parent? Anyone, even if you work full time. Every animal requires different needs, and all you need is a love to for animals and a heart to help. We will match you with a foster that works with your schedule and housing set-up.
How long will I foster an animal? It depends. Young puppies and kittens can not be placed up for adoption until they are old enough to receive vaccinations and spaying/neutering...around 8-9 weeks. So it would depend on how old they are when you receive them Adult cats and dogs are put up for adoption as soon as they get a medical clearance from the vet. Any foster animal you would receive would need to remain in your care until adoption. Some kittens and puppies find families in just a few days, other take longer.
What types of animals are available for fostering? Lots of Puppies, Tons of Kittens, pregnant/nursing dogs, pregnant/nursing cats, Many Orphaned Puppies and Kittens that require bottle feeding, dogs that need extra socilization, dogs and cats that have medical needs.
Please be aware that raising very young orphaned kittens and puppies is challenging and can be heartbreaking, but will be rewarding on many levels. It can be very emotional to deal with potentially losing a puppy or kitten that you have cared for and loved. This is not the result of anything you have done. Some babies we rescue have already had a very hard beginning, and are just not healthy or strong enough to survive...although we do try and we give them every chance. You will be given information on how to care for very young kittens being fostered.
What about my own pets? You will need to have a safe space in your home where you can keep the foster babies separate from your own pets. We encourage you to keep your pets current on all core vaccinations and preventatives such as frontline or revolution, and we strongly recommend you consult your vet regarding your pets' health prior to bringing a new animal into your home. All of our rescued animals are seen by a vet, treated with either Revolution or Frontline Plus for the prevention of Fleas and Ticks, deworming, any age appropriate vaccinations, and spaying/neutering if old enough along with any other medical needs.
What supplies will I need? You will need a safe place in your home to keep the babies, most kittens can be kept in a bathroom with food, water, beds and kitty litter box...even a bedroom if the babies are old enough to use the kitty box. Puppies will need an area close enough to go outside if old enough, blankets or bedding to sleep on, water and food. Angels On Wheels Pays for all of the medical expenses. Small heater if you have bottle fed kittens.
How much will it cost me to foster? Nothing, if you are unable to provide food, we can provide that for you.
Medical Care: Angels on Wheels Animal Rescue will pay for all approved medical expenses that is needed for the animals. Most medical care will be done through Dr. Walley, Crest Hill Cat and Dog Clinic on the corner of Weber Road and Caton Farm Road, 815-744-3540. You will be responsible for driving your foster animal to the vet if any care if required. For after hours medical care, you will need to call 630-863-3474.
How does the adoption process and fostering work together? Once an animal is placed f
or adoption, an approved adoption application is required before any appointments are made. The application process is done through Angels on Wheels. If approved (many are not), we give the potential adoptive family the foster parent phone number. When the potential adoptive family calls you, you then schedule a mutally beneficial time to meet. If they choose to take home their new companion, you will give them the animals medical records, and the new family will sign the adoption contract. You have now put smiles on many wonderful faces.
How do you become a foster to our rescued animals? Please complete the foster care application form, then email it back to sspratl@gmail.com. We will contact you within 24 hours after receiving it. If no one has contacted you, please call 630-863-3474.
The many animals that desperately need your help thank you in advance for opening your hearts and your home in the effort to save more lives from an otherwise
doomed fate.
