See that cute baby pup in the pic? This is only one of the many adorable puppies that recently came into a shelter and needs your help! And come on, can you really say no to a face like that?! I know I cant so I've signed up to become a foster parent and you should, too!
The East Valley Animal Shelter needs foster parents! Often times they get very young unweaned puppies/kitties who come in without their mommys and need to be bottle fed. A shelter doesn't have the personnel to provide the special attention these babies need. The shelter can also be a very unsafe and unhealthy place for a puppy/kitty so they need volunteers aka puppy fosters to take one or more puppies/kitties home and take care of them.
Foster parents would take these babies home and bottle feed them, take care of them, keep them safe, and help them develop good habits so that when the puppy/kitty is taken back to the shelter he/she is adoptable! If you've ever taken care of a baby dog/cat, you know first hand that it can be very tedious and you'll need a lot of time, patience and willingness to sleep on the floor -just kidding about the floor! But in the end, knowing you've helped an adorable baby dog/cat is so rewarding!
Here's some more info that may help you decide:
Q: What if I don't know how to bottle feed a baby cat or dog?
A: No worries, we have faith in you and where there is a will, there is a way! Also, all foster parents must attend a Bottle Baby Foster 1 on 1 training or orientation to assure the shelter (and yourself) that you know what you're doing.
Q: How long do I have to keep the puppy/kitty for?
A: Until the puppy or kitty is 8 to 10 weeks old.
Q: What would it cost me?
A: Well, just time, effort and maybe a bit of gas in your tank to get to and from the shelter. The shelter will provide you with the formula milk to bottle feed the dog/cat. You'll bring the pup/cat into the shelter for check ups and vaccinations as well. If you decide to take the pup/kitty to your own private vet or buy the dog/cat any other food and toys then that comes out of your own pocket and you will not be reimbursed.
Q: Is my home a suitable environment to foster a puppy or kitty?
A: That will be determined after you submit your application, but it probably is otherwise you wouldn't be applying, right? :) Please keep in mind that LAAS will be allowed to inspect the premises, in which the Foster Pet (s) will be/are maintained, from time to time, for the purpose of determining the suitability.
Q: If I find the puppy/kitty a home can I just give it to the person that wants it?
A: No. If someone you know would like to adopt the puppy/kitty then they can come to the shelter and adopt him/her once you have returned the dog/cat.
Q: What if I want to keep the puppy/kitty I've been fostering?
A: That's great news! Talk to the animal shelter that you are fostering for for further details on how the baby can be yours.
Q: What if I have more questions?
A: Contact your local LAAS Animal Care Center or Veronica Perry if you'd like to join their Foster Team: 213.435.9152 or veronica.perry@lacity.org
More info can be found HERE. Its also very likely that your local shelter has a Facebook page with info on adoptable animals in your area. For the FB page of "Friends of East Valley Animal Services" in Van Nuys please click here.
If you still have questions, please feel free to comment and I'll get back to you.
-M.R.
