Foster
There is a global animal rescue crisis that is getting worse daily.
“Lockdown” pets and changes to animal welfare legislation around the world means charities like ours are facing pressures we’ve never experienced before.
But we can only do our part if we have available foster space.
PAW Society will never rescue an animal just to put them in a kennel or cattery for months or years.
Every animal in our care arrives to a safe and loving foster home. We get to know them personally and understand what makes them tick.
FOSTER FAQS
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Yes. During your application we’ll find out about your pet’s temperament, likes, and dislikes so we can suggest fosters to you who will fit easily into your existing pets’ lives.
It’s important to carry out slow introductions and always supervise the animals when they’re together.
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Yes, we are insured to foster and rehome animals to families with young children and have a solid track record. We’re very careful when placing animals into homes with children and make sure we place the right personality in your home. It’s important to always supervise children around animals to make sure they act respectfully, and introduce your children slowly to a new foster. We have age-appropriate guides to animal body language.
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Not necessarily. Some dogs require a garden to burn off energy between walks, while others are happy with a short walk before snoozing for the rest of the day. Knowing our animals the way we do means we can ensure the foster home has exactly what they need to be happy.
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No, our cats are strictly indoor only while in foster for their safety. If you have a purpose-built “catio” they can enjoy some fresh air this way but most of our cats are perfectly content with the indoor life.
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Yes. Not every animal needs a lot of space to explore, some will be perfectly happy in a smaller home and we’ll match you with suitable foster pets.
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We have a dedicated Foster Manager who will be your main point of contact. Outside of this, the entire charity team can be contacted in an emergency and the wider foster network is always happy to support fosters with tips and advice.
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There is no set time that an animal spends in foster. After 2 weeks, you’ll complete an assessment form and tell us all about their needs. If they’re ready to be adopted we’ll advertise them and start our adoption checks on anyone who applies. If they’re still shy or nervous, we’ll ask for another assessment 2 weeks later, until you feel they’re confident enough for adoption. You know your foster best so we’ll be guided by you.
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Not at all. Some of our fosters will welcome a new animal as soon as the last one is adopted, while others prefer to have gaps between them. We’ll never pressure you to take an animal if you need to have a break.
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Fostering can be tough. It’s your job to teach an animal that strangers can be kind and won’t always hurt them. Some animals we help have never lived in a home so need to be taught basic house rules. The hardest part is always letting them go once you’ve fallen in love with them, but we hope the reward of knowing you saved their life will outweigh any tough times.
Why do our fosters love what they do?
In foster for 12 weeks
John
Cooper
In foster for 16 weeks
“There are so many people in the team with such different experiences but we all have one common goal - to help animals. When anyone has a problem or a success or is crying happy tears at their foster being adopted, we all gather round with support.”
“I cry every time my fosters leave for their new homes but it’s such a rewarding thing to do, it isn’t long before I’m excited about the next animal I can help.”
In foster for 8 weeks
Dallas
Lottie
In foster for 2 weeks
“I especially love the nervous dogs! The happy bouncy puppies are fun but for me, there's nothing better than watching a little broken soul slowly heal in front of you and knowing you played a massive part in that transition.”
“With each foster that leaves, I can save another two lives - the animal who comes to me next and the one that takes their place on the waiting list.”
“I like having the chance to meet new cats and make a positive difference to their lives. I enjoy being their stepping stone.”
THE FOSTER PROCESS
The first step to fostering a pet with PAW Society is to complete an application form using the link below. If you would prefer to complete a paper form and return it to us by post, please contact us to request this.
Your application form gives us helpful insights into your lifestyle and home dynamics. For safeguarding purposes, we’ll ask you to submit proof of address and photo ID. People in rented accommodation must also provide written consent form their landlord to adopt a pet.
A homecheck will be conducted via The Animal Team - a charity providing volunteer services to animal rescues. The volunteer may recommend some remedial work to ensure your home is safe for a rescue animal, for example, installing sturdy high fencing in your garden.
After your homecheck is approved, you’ll attend an informal call with our animal behaviour experts. We’ll provide advice on how to best settle an animal into your new home and answer all of your burning questions. After this, you’ll sign your foster’s agreement.
Once the formalities are complete, we use everything we’ve learnt about you during the application process to discuss some animals waiting for rescue space to you. Once you’ve decided on who to foster, we’ll arrange their transport to your home. Please note, fosters very rarely have the opportunity to meet an animal before their arrival - an open mind and commitment is required.
Our expert team are on hand for advice and support throughout your entire fostering journey. After two weeks, we’ll ask you to complete an assessment form and let us know if they’re ready for adoption. We will only advertise an animal when their foster says they are ready - you are their voice so please advocate their needs to us.
Once your foster’s advert is created, we’ll publicise them on our website and social media and begin to process applications. We may have an approved adopter waiting for the right match, in which case we’ll suggest your foster if appropriate.
All adopters must meet their chosen match in their foster home and we’ll put you in touch with the family to arrange this. Families with children aged 12 and under will need to meet twice. After a meeting, we’ll ask for your feedback on the match and finalise the adoption once all parties are in agreement. We will inform you once paperwork has been signed so you can arrange for the adopters to collect your foster from your home.
