Love Rescued Me

How I took a chance on rescuing a dog, who ended up saving me instead. This is a story of shelter dog love and my advocacy/the campaign to get dogs from the streets to loving forever homes.

Sunday, 27 October 2013

How to Foster A Pet from CARA

Because CARA does not run an animal shelter, rescued animals need to be placed in a good home with fosters that are interested in investing energy and time as well as possibly financial resources in rehabilitating the animal and preparing it for its forever home. It is important to understand the commitments that a foster makes, as most of the rescued animal have endured traumatic experiences and need people who are experienced in caring for animals to prepare them for adoption or even pamper them back to health.
The information below is designed to assist you during your time as a foster, give some basic information of what is expected of a foster and who to contact should you have further questions.
As a foster, your commitment usually lasts 3 months to 1 year during which CARA will add the animal to the adoption list and bring it to adoption events or meet ups with possible adoption families. During this time the foster family covers basic needs such as food, toys, vitamins. Depending on the financial situation of the foster, either CARA or the foster cover medical expenses. We have some fosters who are of simple means, but still have a lot of love and a good home to offer, and other fosters who have better financial situations and may have the means to pay for medical bills. It really is a case per case basis that should be discussed before the animal goes to the foster. Honesty between the foster and CARA is of great importance not only before but also throughout the fostering period – caring for the animal should be a team effort.
If you end up falling in love with your foster animal and decide to adopt permanently – great! Please let CARA know and we will happily take the foster animal off our adoption list after going through the adoption formalities with you.
Carefully read through and fill out the Foster Application Form as well as the Fostering Policies.
Please don’t ever hesitate to voice any concerns or questions to your CARA contact person.
 

A few factors to consider before you decide to foster:

• What is your financial situation? Can you afford to foster a pet? If you have limited financial resources please let us know how much you are able to spend so we may allocate additional funds and find the right pet for you.
• Where do you live? If you rent, will your landlord let you keep a pet there? Are you planning on moving? If you are planning to move countries, when will this happen? Please give us at least 3 months prior notice to be able to find a new foster.
• What is your family situation? Getting a foster pet is a decision that has to be made by, and agreed upon, all members of the family.
• Are you willing to live the “pet lifestyle”? Consider fostering an adult pet that already knows more about how to behave in a human household if you don’t want to deal with puppy or kitten playfulness and possible minor challenges. Please speak to CARA in advance so we can find you the right pet to foster.
• If you are taking on a Canine are you willing and able to train them? Will you need assistance with this?

We don’t want to put you off fostering a pet, we have so many that need good homes, we just want to make sure you know exactly what you are taking on. Fostering an animal is very rewarding, but knowing the facts beforehand and preparing accordingly is a must.

How to prepare your home for a foster pet:

Canines:

1. Two food bowls
2. A dog “bed”
3. Collar & leash
4. Toys suitable for dogs
5. Good quality food
6. Brush & shampoo if self – grooming (make sure you buy the right one depending on the animal’s fur). If you wish to have your dog professionally groomed ensure you do so frequently – depending on the dog’s fur.
7. Sufficient space for the dog to get some exercise inside the home, as well as an outside environment where the dog can be walked 2x a day leashed.

Felines:

1. Two food bowls
2. Cat bed or designated place to rest.
3. Scratch post
4. Litter tray with scooper
5. Cat litter
6. Toys
7. Good quality food
8. Brush & shampoo if self – grooming (make sure you buy the right one depending on the animal’s fur). If you wish to have your cat professionally groomed ensure you do so frequently – depending on its fur.
9. Sufficient space inside your home for the cat to get some exercise.

Some resources for your reference:

Pet shops:
Doggieland
148 San Francisco St. Brgy Plainview
Mandaluyong City
Tel: (02) 5327021

Bow & Wow
5/L Shangri-La Plaza,
Mandaluyong City
Tel: (02) 6383372

Bow & Wow
Lower Ground Floor Greenbelt 5,
Makati City
(02) 5013680

For more shops you may also have a look at:

Veterinary clinics :

VETS IN PRACTICE
#63 Maysilo Circle
Plainview
Mandaluyong City
(Just across Tapa King, right at the corner of Boni Avenue extension; around the Mandaluyong City Hall)
Tel: 
(02) 5311581 – 83
Dr. Riza or Dr. Dan

102a Alabang Business Tower
Madrigal Business Park
Alabang
Muntinlupa
Tel: (02) 8467730 / 8428379
Dr. Lester Lopez

BSF Animal Clinic
Unit 1E, Kensington Place
1st Ave, Bonifacio Global City
Taguig City
Tel: (02) 8223660
http://beterinaryo.com/
Dr. Fara or Dr. Chico



ACS
Tiendesitas, Pasig City
Tel: (02) 6356895
Dr. Siday

• Dog Boarding facilities:
In case you need to temporarily board your foster animal.

VIP Pet Hotel and Wellness Center
(Next to VIP clinic, see above)
Tel: (02) 4707978, – 7478, – 7043

Pernilla Harboe
(Near the airport)
Tel: (02) 8525148, 0916 6172663

Your CARA contacts:


If you have questions, concerns or your foster animal needs medical attention please contact us!
Tanya Guerrero: guerrerotanya@gmail.com,
Tel: 0916 3739812


Please read fostering polices carefully, we want to ensure our rescued animals go to a loving and safe environment.

1. CATS: INDOOR ONLY – fostered cats must be kept indoors with a litter tray. Houses/condos must be fitted with fly screens to prevent the cat going outside or falling out the window. In specific cases, cats may be approved to go to an Indoor/outdoor home, please consult with CARA beforehand.

2. The animal must be provided with fresh water at all times and good quality food 2x daily. Please try to stick to one type of cat / dog food to keep your foster pet healthy.

3. Fosters will be financially responsible for providing basic necessities such as food, toys, grooming, litter etc.

4. Veterinary treatment and medicine must be provided when necessary for the continual health and well being of the animal. If the foster is not able to shoulder the medical expenses CARA will raise money from donations. All major medical treatment must be discussed with your CARA contact person beforehand.

5. Dogs must NOT be tied up on tight leashes and must NOT be kept in cages. Dogs can live outdoors within a fenced secure area providing there is adequate shelter.

6. Dogs must not roam the street; they should be walked 2x daily in a responsible manner.

7. Cats must not be de – clawed for any reason, dogs must not be debarked.

8. Our animals may or may not be vaccinated before going to foster homes, depending on their health condition. Before receiving your foster, please make sure you are briefed by CARA on the animal’s medical record, and whether he or she will need to be vaccinated, de-wormed or spay/neutered, then decide on a schedule.

9. If for whatever reason you cannot keep the fostered animal, you must notify CARA and return the animal to CARA with as much advance notice as possible.

10. The fostering family agrees to give CARA visiting rights to ensure the terms of the fostering agreement are being followed. Failure to follow the agreement will result in the animal being reclaimed by CARA.

11. The foster have the option of becoming a CARA member, should they wish to volunteer. The membership fee of Php1,000 in the first year and Php700 to renew the following year.

12. A dog has to be socialized and trained by its foster to prepare it sufficiently for adoption – better trained dogs will find it easier to find a forever home. If the foster is not able to train an alternative solution should be discussed with CARA.

13. In case the foster needs to go out of town he / she shall ensure the animal is being cared for in their own home or boarded at a specialized, CARA approved, establishment. Cats may be boarded at the CARA clinic for a limited period of time subject to prior arrangements.

CARA reserves the right to refuse fostering to any individual we feel is not suitable.







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