1
Meet the FostersFoster Pet Care Training

• Date Time
• WELCOME

2
Introduction

• Day Newsome Foster Care Coordinator
• Mon Fri 8am-5pm
• Office [phone]
• Emergency Cell [phone]
• Email dnewsome_at_richmondspca.org

3
Important Phone Numbers

• Main Number [phone]
• Medical Department [phone]
• Adoption Department [phone]
• Admission Department [phone]
• Day Newsome [phone]
• Emergency Cell [phone]

4
Reasons for Foster Care

• 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

5
Foster Care Length of Stay

• 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

6
Before Fostering

• Complete application
• Attend Workshop
• Register on our website
• Know your availability
• Be flexible
• Be patient
• Agree to terms and conditions of foster contract

7
You Should Know

• There are risks with fostering animals
• We dont know the animals previous medical
  history
• Transition period while the animal acclimates to
  your home
• Unforeseen medical complications
• Compassion fatigue

8
Our Guidelines Policies

• 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
• Dont promise, rehome, or adopt out your foster
  pets to friends, family, or neighbors

9
Receiving a Foster Pet

• I will contact you with foster pet information
  and schedule a pick up appointment
• At pick up you will receive
• Foster pet
• Foster contract and contact sheet
• Supplies
• Appointment and vaccine schedule
• You should bring
• Carrier (please)
• Availability

10
The Richmond SPCA Provides

• 24 hour Assistance and support
• Me
• Richmond SPCA
• Supplies to care for the pet(s)
• Food and food bowls
• Litter box and scoop
• Carriers and crates
• Bedding and toys
• Medical care
• Medications and supplements
• Vaccinations
• Regular check-ups

11
You Provide

• Transportation
• A safe and suitable home environment
• Adequate and appropriate care
• Socialization
• Attention to specific needs
• Lots and lots of love and compassion

12
Transportation

• 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

13
Daily Care - Cats and Kittens

• 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!

14
Daily Care Dogs and Puppies

• 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

15
Health ChecklistSigns of a Healthy Puppy or
Kitten

• Being cared for by the mother
• 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

16
Health ChecklistSigns of a Sick Puppy or Kitten

• 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

17
Emergency

• When to call my office
• Mon Fri 8am 5pm
• When to call emergency cell
• Sat and Sun
• After normal business hours
• I didnt 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!)

18
Returning a Foster Pet

• Schedule a return appointment
• You should bring
• 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

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Adopting

• 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

20
Questions? Concerns?
21
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!