Transcript Foster Training

‘Meet the Fosters’
Foster Pet Care Training
Date Time
WELCOME
Introduction
Day Newsome Foster Care Coordinator
Mon – Fri 8am-5pm
Office: (804) 521-1313
Emergency Cell: (804) 399-3630
Email: [email protected]
Important Phone Numbers
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Main Number: (804) 643-6785
Medical Department: (804) 521-1310
Adoption Department: (804) 521-1307
Admission Department: (804) 521-1363
Day Newsome: (804) 521-1313
Emergency Cell: (804) 399-3630
Reasons for Foster Care
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Needs to grow (weaned infants)
 Under 8 weeks
 Under 2 pounds
Medical
 Nursing mothers and infants
 Orphaned infants (bottle babies)
 Surgery recovery
 Orthopedic rest
Behavioral
 Cage rest
 Boot camp
Fill in foster
Foster Care Length of Stay
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Needs to grow: 4 to 8 weeks
Nursing moms and infants: 1 to 3 months
Bottle babies: 1 to 3 months
Surgery recovery: 1 week to 3 months
Orthopedic rest: 1 week to 2 months
Cage rest: 4 to 6 weeks
Boot Camp: 1 to 3 months
Fill in foster: 1 day to 2 weeks
Before Fostering
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Complete application
Attend Workshop
Register on our website
Know your availability
Be flexible
Be patient
Agree to terms and conditions of foster contract
You Should Know
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There are risks with fostering animals:
 We don’t know the animal’s previous
medical history
 Transition period while the animal
acclimates to your home
 Unforeseen medical complications
 Compassion fatigue
Our Guidelines & Policies
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Your own pets must be up-to-date on vaccinations
Foster pets should be kept separate
Only one foster pet, or foster litter at a time
Administer medications and supplements only as
directed and prescribed by Richmond SPCA
medical staff
Don’t promise, rehome, or adopt out your foster
pets to friends, family, or neighbors
Receiving a Foster Pet
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I will contact you with foster pet information and
schedule a pick up appointment
At pick up you will receive:
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Foster pet
Foster contract and contact sheet
Supplies
Appointment and vaccine schedule
You should bring:
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Carrier (please)
Availability
The Richmond SPCA Provides
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24 hour Assistance and support
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Supplies to care for the pet(s)
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Me
Richmond SPCA
Food and food bowls
Litter box and scoop
Carriers and crates
Bedding and toys
Medical care
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Medications and supplements
Vaccinations
Regular check-ups
You Provide
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Transportation
A safe and suitable home environment
Adequate and appropriate care
Socialization
Attention to specific needs
Lots and lots of love and compassion
Transportation
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Cats and infants must always be in a pet carrier
(no boxes, Rubbermaid containers, etc.)
Dogs and puppies must be on leash if old enough,
if not they must be in carrier
Please use air conditioning in the vehicle if the
weather is warm
Pets are safest in the back seat with a carrier
belted in
Daily Care - Cats and Kittens
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Clean their area, litter box and bowls; replace any soiled
bedding
Provide fresh food and water
Observe and handle; keep a foster record of helpful info
for adopters
Weigh the kittens (if necessary); use the weight record to
keep track of weight gain
Ensure their coats and feet are free of old food and feces
Give medications as prescribed by the Richmond SPCA
Hold them, talk to them and play with them!
Daily Care – Dogs and Puppies
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Very similar to caring for cats and kittens
Keep a foster record of helpful info for adopters
Adhere to any training or medical protocols,
restrictions, or guidelines
Adult dogs need to be on leash when outside at all
times, unless inside a fenced area
No unsupervised outside time
Socialize the pets to people and other animals as
directed by behavior or medical staff
Health Checklist
Signs of a Healthy Puppy or Kitten
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Being cared for by the mother
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Appears cared for, nursing
Not separated from the litter
Has a robust appetite
Has energy and spunk
Is hydrated; the skin bounces back when pinched
Has a temperature between 100 and 102.5
Gains weight daily
Health Checklist
Signs of a Sick Puppy or Kitten
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No appetite, not drinking
Vomiting
Diarrhea or constipation;
Lethargic
Coughing or sneezing
Runny eyes or nose
Has ears with dark wax or an odor
Has fleas, ticks or hair loss: DO NOT WASH INFANTS
Has an infected umbilical cord (on newborns)
Is limping
Emergency
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When to call my office
 Mon – Fri 8am – 5pm
When to call emergency cell
 Sat and Sun
 After normal business hours
 I didn’t answer my office line and there is an emergency
Bring foster pet to RSPCA (if instructed)
Bring animal to the VEC (with RSPCA permission only!)
Returning a Foster Pet
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Schedule a return appointment
You should bring
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Foster pet or litter
All re-usable supplies
Weight and/or medication charts
Notes for potential adopters
Follow any post-foster instructions
Discuss potential adoption (when necessary)
Contact me when ready to foster again
Adopting
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Contact me if you or someone you know is
interested in adopting one of your foster pets
Courtesy calls can be made when a foster pet
becomes available for adoption; but no
guarantees
Adoption paperwork must be completed and
processed at the shelter
All pets must be sterilized prior to adoption
Questions? Concerns?
Thank You!
Fostering is a very rewarding and
fulfilling experience. Benefits to you
and to orphaned animals are
numerous. Enjoy yourself and have
fun! Thank you for your selfless
contribution of time and attention. You
are saving lives!