How Fostering Works
Step 1: Apply Online
Complete our online foster adoption form, which we use to assess the kind of environment you can provide for an animal. This is for everyone’s benefit; no one wants to place a vocal dog in an apartment, or a fearful cat in a loud, active home.
Step 2: Home Check
Once your application has been processed, a Zoe’s team member will contact you to arrange a home check. This is to make sure that your home will work for one of our animals, and to help dog- or cat-proof your home.
Step 3: Foster
Once you’ve been officially approved as a Zoe’s foster, we will place an animal with you they are matched with a forever home – this period of time can vary from two weeks to several months, depending on the animal. You are free to decline any foster animal that you think will not fit with your home.
We encourage you to connect with our Facebook community who can support you throughout your foster journey: connect with trainers, other fosters and program coordinators, ask questions, and even request supplies or transport. We’re in this together!
In addition to their day-to-day care, you will be responsible for the following:
- Working with our vets and trainers to monitor or rehabilitate your foster such that they can successfully adapt to their new forever home
- Providing our team with regular updates on the animals’ progress
- Coordinating with Zoe’s volunteer photographers to have current photos taken either at a studio or in your home
- Arranging for your foster to attend events when possible.
Because we don’t have a physical shelter, we rely on our website and social media to advertise our animals, so the more information you can give about your foster, the better!
Step 4: Meet 'n' Greet
Once a potential adopter has been screened, a coordinator reach out to schedule a Meet ‘n’ Greet where the potential adoptor will be given the opportunity to meet with the animal and you can answer any questions they may have. After the Meet ‘n’ Greet is complete, you will provide your feedback to our coordinators on whether you think it’s a good fit.
Step 5: Adoption
Ah, that sad yet rewarding time! Once all of the paperwork has gone through, your foster goes on to its new life. Whether or not you would like to take on another foster, and when, is completely up to you – just let us know!
Why Foster?
One of the most common questions fosters get is, “How can you give them up? Isn’t it sad?” Many people say that they couldn’t foster because they’d get too attached – they’re just too emotional. Well, let me tell you a secret: the women and men in animal rescue are some of the biggest softies you’ll ever meet. So why do we do it?
It’s not as sad as you think.
Don’t imagine how you’d feel if you had to give up your existing dog or cat. That’s usually not what it’s like, because when you bring a foster animal into your home, you know you from the start that you’re just helping it through a rough spot. Of course, it’s sad when your foster leaves, but surprisingly, it’s also a happy event. Recall the first time you laid eyes on your pet. How excited you were when you decided that it was ‘the one.’ That is the AMAZING experience that you get to be a part of when you foster. When you see adopters cooing over your foster, taking terrible photos with their phones, and planning their future lives with the animal, how can you be only sad? You can’t. We can tell you from experience that the excitement and joy is infectious.
It’s rewarding.
Animals have an incredible capacity to change and heal, and being the point of contact – the one who turns a malnourished pup into a normal bouncy and healthy one, or who helps a fearful cat learn to love human affection – is a rewarding experience. Fostering allows you to make a visible, measurable difference in the life of an animal.
It’s cheap!
Zoe’s pays for all of your expenses. Free love and affection? Yes please! Fostering is a great opportunity for people who want to have a puppy or kitten, but not pay for it or make a long term commitment.
It’s inclusive.
Zoe’s is a community. We help each other out, whether it’s transporting supplies, trading training tips, caring for animals, or just being there for emotional support.
Think you might want to foster? Then apply today!