become a Much Love foster parent
By taking an animal into your home on a
temporary basis, the animal is given an opportunity to adjust
to a home environment, and we are given additional time to find
a permanent home. Becoming a foster parent is easy!
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Much Love provides all food and supplies
while the pet is in your care, unless you would like to do so
yourself. All supplies you purchase for fostering are often
times tax-deductible (check with your tax advisor).
Much Love is responsible for all
veterinary care of the animal while you are fostering it.
frequently asked questions
What does a foster parent do?
Foster parenting is a wonderful way to
enjoy the love and attention of an animal without making a
permanent committment. Because we don't have a permanent
facility, Much Love's foster program is one of the most crucial
elements of our rescue organization. By taking an animal into
your home, you are allowing it to become accustomed to a safe
and loving home life. Although we can't guarantee how long it
will take to find the animal a home, the average is several
weeks, however it could be as little as a few days or as much
as a few months. If at any time you would like to discontinue
fostering, you are always given the option to stop.
Do I get to choose which animal I want to
foster?
Yes, whether you're looking for a mellow
kitty cat that sleeps all day or an active, ball-chasing dog
that you can take on jogs, our goal is to place an animal with
you that fits your needs and wants and is compatible with your
lifestyle. We will help determine which of our pets fits that
description.
I don't think I could be a foster parent,
I'd become too attached.
This is one of the most common phrases we
hear each week at our adoptionsites. And we share the sentiment
whole-heartedly. Because we take these needy animals and rescue
them from dire situations, nurse them back to health if they
are sick, rehabilitate and train, and discover and love each of
their individual personalities, we know how hard it is to
separate from them when they go to new, permanent homes. But
because of this strong bond, we also know how rewarding it is
when watching their new owner shower them with kisses and love,
and know that we had a hand in saving a life and creating a new
family unit. Foster parenting is an integral part of the
process, and we can only tell you that it is one of the most
rewarding things around, and the reason we all work tirelessly
to make it happen!
What if the animal I am fostering doesn't
work out for me?
If at any time the fit of the animal in
your care is not working for you, we will be happy to take the
animal back and try a different animal in its place. Just like
people, animals all have different personalities, and our goal
is to help find the right animal for your situation.
Do I have to pay for food for animals in
my care?
Thanks to the generosity of Petco, Natural
Balance and Precise Pet Foods, we currently have a generous
amount of donated food for our foster care needs. If you are
able and willing to supply the animal you are fostering with
food on your own, we welcome your generosity.
What about veterinary fees or emergency
care?
Much Love gives all foster parents a list
of veterinarians with whom we have associations with and pays
for all veterinary fees and innoculations for animals that are
fostered by our kind parents.
If I have other animals in my home, can I
still be a 'foster parent'?
Absolutely, as long as your pets are
comfortable with their new short or long-term visitors.
If I have children, does that rule us out
as a foster family?
Absolutely not, although if you have
toddlers in your family, we are careful in the choice of animal
for your situation.
But how will the animal find a permanent
home if it is living with me?
Much Love requires the animal to be
available for weekend mobile adoptions where we show our
animals to the public.
How long will I be required to
foster?
Because our animals have been shuffled
from the street or shelters, to vet offices and then to
different boarding situations, we prefer that foster parents
try out the animal for at least one week. If everyone is happy
with the situation, the animal can remain in your care until we
find a permanent home. Although we can't guarantee how long it
will take to find the animal a home, the average is several
weeks, however it could be as little as a few days or as much
as a few months. If at any time you would like to discontinue
fostering, you are always given the option to stop.
What if I have to go out of town on
business or vacation?
This is the beauty of fostering! Not only
are you getting the satisfaction of helping an animal in need,
you don't have to be tied down to it. If you need to go out of
town for just a night or for a whole month, we will find
another foster parent or a place for the animal to be boarded
until you return. Much Love pays for all of the costs, if there
are any, for boarding the animal while you're away.
Is there a limit to the number of animals
I can foster?
Our priority is that the animals receive
the best care possible and are introduced to a loving
environment where they can grow and become accustomed to new
situations. Each situation is evaluated and then we determine
how many animals it is practical to have in your care. We don't
want to overburden our foster families and also want to be sure
our animals, and possibly your own, are all receiving the care
and love they deserve. Los Angeles county limits the number of
animals at a private residence to three.
Ready to start fostering?
Fill out one of our applications and help
an animal in need or e-mail our foster coordinator at foster@muchlove.org
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