Foster Volunteer Requirements
Foster Volunteers Requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old Younger members of the household may assist the primary Foster Volunteer and gain volunteer hours
- Complete a Foster Application Form and sign a Foster Agreement
- Commit to fostering for a combined minimum period of 6 months
- Maintain communication with Foster Care staff
- Attend an orientation session at the Animal Centre or virtually, and complete an onboarding process
- Isolate foster animals from family pets within the home, as required
- Quarantine foster animals for 14 days to prevent disease spread, as required
- Animal-proof your home to eradicate access to toxic food, plants, and chemicals and to reduce potential safety hazards
- Follow disease control guidelines, medication dosing instructions, and the Medical and Behaviour plans provided
- Accept responsibility for the routine care of foster animals in your home during the foster period. You must contact Foster Care staff to discuss any lack of availability whilst foster animals are in your care. Anyone else in the home who will be looking after foster animals for more than 24 hours must be onboarded as a GTHS volunteer.
- Maintain a peaceful, loving environment for the foster animals and spend quality time socializing them
- Try to spend a minimum of two hours per day with foster animals to socialize them and to monitor their health. Time commitments will vary depending on your specific foster animals.
- Commit to the entire foster period with the animal
- Be able to set aside time (as often as every two weeks for kittens) to bring your foster animal in for follow-up vaccinations and spay/neuter surgery
- Utilize the emergency contact list for after-hour emergencies
- Existing animals in your home must be up-to-date on vaccines and in good health
- Every family member in the household will need to be prepared for the commitment and emotions involved with fostering
- Applicants accepted to foster kittens will require a kitchen scale that displays weight in grams (to weigh kittens)
- Canine Fosters must have recent dog handling experience
- Adoption-ready dogs or puppies need to be available during Adoption Hours (12-4pm) for meet-and-greets with potential adopters. Canine Fosters must therefore be prepared for daily drop-off / pick-up until their foster animal is adopted or be available to come onsite upon request during Adoption Hours.
