Adopting a pet, especially as a prospective first-time owner, can be daunting.
This is why fostering a pet is a practical solution.
If this feels like an expensive responsibility, it might be worth reconsidering fostering altogether.
If you work from home or your office allows pets, then great!
If its a cat, even better.
But if you work long hours or travel often, fostering might not work with your schedule.
Here are other things you should consider:
Do you live with others?
Do you have young children or already have pets?
Check with a shelter and inform them before choosing to foster a pet.
Do you have enough space to take care of an animal?
(It probably wont be comfortable for you and a 100lb pooch, either.)
Is this your first time fostering or caring for a pet?
Do you have a certain pet in mind?
As wevewritten before, you should adopt a pet and not a breed; the same goes for fostering.
A rescue may choose a pet for you to foster based on time-sensitivity, not necessarily considering your preferences.
What kind of health problems are you willing to deal with?
Medicating the dog frequently?
What about a dog with a wheelchair?
Be sure to properly vet the organization or shelter youd foster from, too.
Look for any reviews of the shelter on Facebook or Yelp.
Alternatively, reach out to anyone who has fostered through the program and ask about the process.
A rescue should provide you with details as to what you should expect from your foster dog or cat.
A shelter may also provide you with whom to contact in case of an emergency like a nearby vet.
(If not, ask for it.)
If you panic for any reason, call or text them.
