MaxFund Animal Adoption Center Foster Program

Some MaxFund dogs in need of a loving foster home!

Jake	Millie	Kane & Sheeba	Lacey
Beau	Bo	Dottie	Burt
	Sarge

Some MaxFund cats in need of a loving foster home!

Oliver	Adam	Buster Grey	Velcro
Coal	Jewel	Tigger	Bobby

WANTED! Foster homes for cats... with no cats! Also, foster home for dogs... with no dogs!

MaxFund is looking for a foster parent(s) willing to foster cats that need a home without other cats (preferably but not necessarily). These animals need a temporary home to get into adoption shape and need some special conditions to help them really get ready for their forever home. They need someone to market them outside the shelter since they just don't show well or handle shelter conditions well. Here are some examples of the current needs in the words of super volunteer Kim Murdock: “Chloe just needs a home where she can lose weight and then get adopted out.  Tiki is bullying other cats and is being nasty (though she is very affectionate with people).  I'd love to get her in a home where she can show off her personality and get adopted out.  Sweetheart is so scared that she has turned against herself and licks herself to death. Her chin is breaking out and swollen.  I'd love to get her in a home where she won't be so scared and then adopt her out.  So I'm putting it out there to the Universe and you that we need a home with no other cats (or maybe just one) where cats can come and go.” If you think you might have the home we need, please contact Donna at fosters@maxfundvolunteers.org

Fostering animals is an immensely helpful way to accomplish our goals at MaxFund. Once the shelter is filled with dogs and cats, we must turn away animals, which would otherwise be wonderful additions to our shelter. MaxFund typically turns away 5-10 animals each day due to lack of space. Fostering may be done to take care of animals that are healthy and highly adoptable, to nurse an animal back to health, or for a variety of other reasons such as socialization. Some animals, particularly older dogs and cats, find comfort and a much-needed break from the shelter through our foster program.

Need is especially great during kitten season (spring through summer). We typically receive many pregnant cats and/or mothers with kittens. Until those kittens are old enough to be weaned and spayed or neutered, they cannot be put up for adoption.

Animals not eligible for foster care are those with serious medical problems and a poor prognosis for recovery or rehabilitation and animals with serious behavioral problems.

Your Responsibility:

Application: The first step to becoming a foster parent is to fill out an application. Application can be downloaded in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat PDF format. The application is detailed and will ask questions such as yard space, other pets in the house, children in the home, etc. MaxFund may also visit your home to ensure conditions are compatible to foster an animal. A warm, safe environment is necessary to foster an animal.

Orientation Program: Potential foster parents may be required to attend a short orientation program. A vet tech will be present to talk about and answer any questions regarding health and behavior issues.

Pet Supplies: MaxFund will provide vaccines, medications, collars, and tags for foster pets. The foster parent must provide litter boxes, pet food bowls, and pet food of a high quality to prevent gastrointestinal distress and to maintain the health and weight of any animals with special needs.The foster parent is also responsible for providing the special kitten diet and hand feeding if necessary. Should an animal require any prescription food, MaxFund will supply the food, but we would appreciate the foster parent supplying the food if at all possible.

Veterinary Care: Should an animal require veterinary care during regular business hours, the Wellness Clinic is available Monday through Friday 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm. Vet techs are on staff at the shelter on Saturdays and Sunday if care is needed. If emergency after hours care is needed, the foster parent must contact the Foster Program Coordinator for approved emergency care hospitals.If foster parents do not get approval for emergency care they may be expected to assume the cost of this care and treatment. MaxFund cannot assume the costs of unnecessary emergency vet bills.

Special Needs of Our Cats and Dogs:

Dogs: Foster parents must have a completely fenced yard (at least 6 feet) with shelter provided. A place inside the home must also be provided as dogs are social animals and love interaction with people.

Cats: All cats must be kept indoors at all times to prevent injury and the spread of disease. We ask that you keep the fostered cat separate from the other animals in the household for a day or two so that it may adjust to the new surroundings.

Placing the Fostered Animal:

MaxFund will make every effort to place the fostered cat or dog with a loving family. We will try to take a photo of the animal before you take it home and display it on our website. In some cases, the foster parent may also try to find an adoptive home though other methods such as friends or word of mouth. However, prospective adopters must pass our screening process, which includes the MaxFund adoption application. Once a prospective home is found, it is the responsibility of the foster parent to be available to show the animal by bringing it to the shelter or arranging an in home meet. You may leave your phone number to talk to prospective owners.

We will ask you to fill out a foster animal profile to be posted with the photo on the MaxFund adoptable animals webpage.Please include personality, temperament, housebreaking, and any other information that may be helpful to the prospective owners. Examples can be found in the bios of current MaxFund fosters on the website. Bios can be sent to the MaxFund by using the email address listed on the MaxFund website.

Interested?