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Southlake Animal Hospital
Give us a call today! 219-942-0909
Call us today! 219-942-0909

3570 E. Lincoln Hwy
Merrillville, IN 46410

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Foster a Pet Month

June 1 2020

Did you know that June has been declared Foster A Pet Month? If you want to help animals in need, but aren’t ready to adopt right now, fostering may be a great option for you. A local Crown Point, IN vet goes over some key points of fostering pets below.

Why Fosters Are Needed

There are many reasons that animals need fostering. In some cases, pets are still very young kittens or puppies who need more care than shelters can provide. Fostering is also common for rescue organizations that don’t have physical buildings, as these must rely on volunteers to help care for the pets they save. Pets are also sometimes fostered when their humans are in the hospital, deployed with the military, or out of town for long periods for work or school. Some fosters pets were rescued from bad situations, and need to recoup and learn to trust again. Others may need more training before being offered for adoption.

Benefits of Fostering

Fostering does have some specific advantages. For one thing, unlike adoption, it’s a short-term commitment. It’s also a great way to help pets in need. It’s a truly beautiful experience to watch a pet blossom with love and good care!

Is Fostering Right For You ?

Fostering isn’t right for everyone. You’ll need to consider your household and family members, as well as your own pets. There are often expenses involved, so budget is another thing to factor in. Most of all, make sure you are willing to put in the time and work your furry charge needs.

Getting Started

If all lights are green, then it’s time to take the next step. Reach out to local shelters or rescues, and see if they need fostering help. Some places may require interviews, background checks, home inspections, and/or training.

Saying Goodbye

Possibly the biggest down side of fostering is that many people have a hard time letting go when it comes time to say goodbye. This is completely understandable. We can form very strong bonds with our animal friends, sometimes in a really short time. Of course, it’s not uncommon for people to end up adopting their fosters. There are many ‘foster fails’ out there who are now beloved family members in what were supposed to be temporary homes!

Please contact us, your Crown Point, IN vet clinic, anytime. We are here to help!