Fostering Pets

This page is educational reference material for preparing questions. A licensed veterinarian examines the animal, makes the diagnosis, and sets the treatment.

Everything you need to know about fostering dogs and cats. Getting started, supplies, medical care, decompression, and adoption events.

Key Information

Practical Recommendations

Expert Tips

Stick to a consistent feeding schedule — pets thrive on routine, and irregular meals can trigger anxiety and digestive issues.

Understanding the Research

Budgeting for Pet Care

Related Guides

Explore more of our comprehensive pet care resources.

Quick Answers

Where can I learn more?

Intake of a foster animal is a shelter-medicine problem. The Association of Shelter Veterinarians guidelines cover the exam, parasites, vaccines, and infectious disease separation. The shelter's own foster instructions should match that document, including what to do with diarrhea or a cough in the first week.

How often should I take my pet to the vet?

A foster animal should be examined and tested on the rescue's protocol before it meets your pets: FeLV and FIV for cats, fecal and vaccine status for dogs. Isolate until the clinic or the rescue says otherwise. Your own pets stay on their usual annual schedule. The foster may need a recheck in a week.

How can I save money on pet care?

Ask the shelter which vaccines, tests, preventives, and food they already supply before you buy them yourself. Doubling those is the common waste. Diarrhea or a cough in the first week should go to the shelter's medical contact first; fosters usually may not give over-the-counter medicine. The Association of Shelter Veterinarians guidance is why that intake exam exists. You should not be the one inventing a drug dose.

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