Fostering

What is a foster home?
A foster home provides temporary shelter and care for animals in our adoption program until a permanent home can be found. When you open your home and heart to foster animals you are offering safety, love and comfort to animals who most certainly would end up at the local pound.

What is involved in fostering?
A foster home is responsible for:

• Meeting the animal's everyday needs such as feeding, watering, exercising and grooming.

• Taking the animal to "A Cause for Paws" approved vet for any medical care he may need ("A Cause for Paws" pays for vet costs). 

• Transporting the animal to and from the Adoption Center at the Logansport Mall on Saturdays.

• Providing love.

Does "A Cause for Paws" provide the necessary supplies?
"A Cause for Paws" pays for the necessary tests and vaccinations to ensure the animal is healthy before being placed in a foster home.  We will also pay for any needed medical treatment while in foster care as long as the foster home gets prior approval from an "A Cause for Paws" representative.

"A Cause for Paws" will also provide food and litter to foster homes, as well as items such as bowls and litter pans.

How long would I have to keep a particular animal?
We find homes for ALL of our animals - some just take longer than others.  Once you make the commitment to foster an animal, you need to follow through until that animal is adopted into its new home.  If you feel like things just aren't working out, then we will make arrangements as soon as possible to transfer the animal to another foster home - even though that still may take some time.

Are there different types of foster homes?
Whether you prefer to foster cats or dogs - or both - we have animals that have diverse needs.  The following list will give you an idea of what types of homes are needed:

• Dogs, cats, puppies, or kittens - either one or several at a time

• Orphaned kittens or puppies that need to be bottle-fed

• Orphaned kittens or puppies that are eating on their own

• Pregnant cats/dogs and their soon-to-be born litter

• Animals with special needs - such as a dog that needs to have heartworm treatment or a timid animal that requires a little more time and patience

Isn't it hard to part with a foster when he is adopted?
It is not easy letting go of a foster animal when he finds a permanent home.  "A Cause for Paws" has a careful screening process of prospective adoptive homes and will give weight to any input a foster home has. Knowing that you helped an animal that would have otherwise ended up at the local pound or on the streets is a very rewarding feeling.

What if I decide to adopt the animal(s) that I am fostering?
You would complete the adoption paperwork and pay the applicable adoption fee.

Where do I sign up?
For more information, contact "A Cause for Paws" at 574-753-5575 and leave a message or by email at acause4paws@comcast.net so we may contact you by phone.

I want to help, but I am unable to foster at this time.  What else can I do to help?
There are other ways that you can help:

• Have your organization hold a fund raiser.

• Volunteer with "A Cause for Paws" at the Logansport Mall on Saturdays from 11am to 5pm.

• Donate supplies and/or money to be used for medical care and supplies 

Some items that are needed:

• Dry Kitten Food (Kitten Chow)

• Canned Kitten Food

• Puppy Food  (Puppy Chow)

• Cat and Dog Food 

• Cat Litter

• Stainless Steel Bowls

• Dog/cat crates/carriers

• Dog Pens, Fencing, and Kennels

• Leashes & Collars

• Heating Pads (for orphans)

• Advantage or Frontline

• Heartworm Preventative (Inceptor)

• Plastic Grocery Bags (for scooping litter boxes)

• Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR)

• Postage Stamps

• Scratching Posts

• Walmart gift certificates