‘Meet the Fosters’Foster Pet Care Training

Date Time

WELCOME

IntroductionDay Newsome Foster Care Coordinator

Mon – Fri 8am-5pmOffice: (804) 521-1313

Emergency Cell: (804) 399-3630Email: dnewsome@richmondspca.org

Important Phone Numbers Main Number: (804) 643-6785 Medical Department: (804) 521-1310 Adoption Department: (804) 521-1307 Admission Department: (804) 521-1363 Day Newsome: (804) 521-1313 Emergency Cell: (804) 399-3630

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

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

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

You Should Know There are risks with fostering animals:

We don’t know the animal’s previous medical history

Transition period while the animal acclimates to your home

Unforeseen medical complications Compassion fatigue

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

Don’t promise, rehome, or adopt out your foster pets to friends, family, or neighbors

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

Emergency When to call my office

Mon – Fri 8am – 5pm When to call emergency cell

Sat and Sun After normal business hours I didn’t 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!)

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

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

Questions? Concerns?

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!