FOSTERING

+ What is the time commitment to foster an animal?

The time commitment to foster depends on the animal. All animals must be spay/neutered and receive age appropriate vaccinations before adoption. Kittens/puppies must be at least 8 weeks old and weigh 2 lbs before they can be spay/neutered. Below is a timetable with estimations of length of stay. It's important to note that these times are estimates. We cannot guarantee these timelines:

Sick / Injured Cats

• Average lenghth of stay: 1 week - 2 months
• Daily Commitment: 2 - 3 hours

Weaned Puppies

• Average length of stay: 1 - 3 weeks
• Daily Commitment: 3 - 6 hours

Sick / Injured Dogs

• Average length of stay: 1 week - 2 months
• Daily Commitment: 2 - 3 hours

Neonate Puppies/Kitties

• Average length of stay: 6 - 8 weeks
• Daily Commitment: 8 hours

Mom with Puppies/Kittens

• Average length of stay: 6 - 8 weeks
• Daily Commitment: 3 hours

+ What is the physical commitment to foster an animal?

It depends on the animal. If you have a very active foster pet, you may need to spend more time expending their energy with walks, runs, playtime, etc. If you foster a senior/low energy pet, the physical commitment may be less.

+ What type of transportation commitment is expected?

All foster homes are expected to bring their foster pet to and from vet appointments. We do our best to have veterinary partners located outside of the south metro. We have a small transport team that may be able to assist when there are extenuating circumstances, but this cannot be guaranteed. If transport cannot be found, you will be responsible for getting your animal to their vet appointments. If you believe your vet or a vet you know might be able to assist with rescue-based discounts, please email us at reception@carverscotths.org.

+ Where do I find animals in need of foster placement?

Our intake staff will email you with animals available for foster that meet your criteria. If you need to update your availability or your criteria for fostering, please let your Foster Mentor know.

+ Can I meet an animal before committing to fostering?

It depends on the animal. Some animals are available for a meet/greet before committing to fostering but only with the supervision of a CSHS staff member. We provide all information we have on the animal when posting for foster placement. We cannot guarantee that the behavior posted or noted will be the behavior the animal has in your home. You are welcome to post any questions you might have about the animal. We cannot guarantee that we will have any additional information.

+ How do I pick up my foster animal?

Once you have agreed to take a foster animal, our intake team will reach out to you via email and let you know when the animal will arrive at the Adoption & Wellness Center (AWC) in Chaska. Most animals arrive the next day or over the weekend. Animals must be picked up from the AWC on the day of their arrival. Per our conditional use permit with the City of Chaska, dogs cannot remain housed on site overnight. We also have a limited capacity for cats at the AWC.

+ How do I prepare my home for my foster animal?

Before you bring your foster(s) home, make sure that you have a suitable place for them to stay. A bathroom often works well for young puppies/kittens. Here are some things to consider when choosing a space for your foster animal:

• A temperature controlled space
• Easily cleanable
• Separate from other household pets
• Can withstand messes such as spilled water or food, vomit, urine, feces, etc.
• No breakable items
• No small items (that could potentially be eaten)

+ Do I need to buy any supplies for my foster animal?

Everything you will need to care for your foster animal will be provided by CSHS free of charge. This includes bowls, leashes, collars, food, litter, toys, crates, and travel carriers. You're welcome to buy your foster animal food, treats, or toys, but unless you receive prior approval from the Foster Coordinator, Operations Manager, or Animal Wellness Manager, CSHS will not reimburse you for those purchases.

+ May I introduce my foster animal to resident animals the day they arrive?

We recommend that you do not introduce your foster animal to your resident animal(s) on the first day. Animals who are coming out of impounds often have lengthy car rides, are stressed from the shelter, and have minimal vetting. It's best for you, your resident animal(s), and your foster animal to wait. Give your foster animal some time to decompress and take in their new surroundings before exposing them to the additional stresses of meeting new dogs/cats and people. Please speak to your Foster Coordinator before introducing adult dogs/cats to resident pets as adult dogs/cats can take up to two weeks to acclimate to a new home.

+ What kind of veterinary care will my foster animal have before it arrives?

It depends. Some animals come into our care already spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped, while other animals have not yet seen a veterinarian. On intake, your foster animal will be given flea/tick preventative, age-based vaccinations (does not include the rabies vaccine which must be administered by a veterinary office), and a microchip. You will then receive information from the Vetting Coordinator or Animal Wellness Manager via email with next steps in the vetting process.

+ Who do I call to schedule veterinary care?

We ask that you email all questions regarding your foster animal(s) health/veterinary needs to the vetting email address you are given when you start fostering with us. If a vet visit is required, the Animal Wellness Manager will work with our veterinary partners to get your foster animal seen as soon as possible. You will be able to schedule the appointment yourself once the AWM authorizes treatment of your foster animal. Our veterinary partners will not see your animal without authorization from a CSHS staff member. If your animal is unresponsive or bleeding profusely, please head to the nearest Emergency Veterinary Clinic and contact the AWM via cell.

+ When is my foster animal available for adoption?

Foster animals are available for adoption one week before their final vetting appointment. The animal will be posted to Facebook, the CSHS website, and numerous animal adoption platforms. Foster animals must remain in the care of their foster homes until the Adoption Coordinator states the animal is approved to leave the foster’s care. Under no circumstances may a CSHS animal move without permission from the Adoption Coordinator.

+ How long will it take for my foster animal to be adopted?

The time it takes for your foster animal to be adopted depends on the animal. Kittens/puppies tend to get adopted quickly. Animals with special/medical needs, behavior concerns, or other quirks may take longer to be adopted. We strongly encourage all foster homes to share information on their foster animals with family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and on all social media platforms. Animals who are advertised regularly via multiple platforms (e.g. social media, word of mouth, etc.) are adopted quicker than animals just posted on the CSHS website. We need the help of our fosters to get their animals adopted quickly.

+ How does the adoption process work?

CSHS follows the Humane Society of the United State’s approach to adoptions called Adopters Welcome. We take applications on a first-come, first-considered basis. We do not move on to other applications unless the first applicant decides not to proceed or is not the appropriate fit for that animal. An Adoption Advocate or Coordinator will reach out to the applicant and have a conversation-based interview with them about what they are looking for in an animal and answer any preliminary questions. Once this occurs, applications and notes from the interview will be sent to the foster family. Foster families are expected to reach out to applicants via email within 24 hours. The foster home should speak with the adopter on the phone or via email to answer any questions the adopter may have. If the foster agrees it's a good match, the foster should set up a day and time for a meet and greet between the potential adopter and the foster animal. Once the meeting is scheduled the foster should email the Adoption Advocate or Coordinator with the information. Since all of our adoptions are completed via smartphone, the Adoption Advocate or Coordinator will send a link to the adopter’s smartphone to fill out the CSHS adoption contract and pay the adoption fee. We do not accept cash or checks. Once the contract/payment have been received, your foster animal is welcome to go to their new home!

+ Do I have to do the meet and greet at the potential adopter’s home?

No, we do not require that animals are brought over to the applicant's home. Additionally, we do not require home visits, all members of the family to meet the animal, or animal-to-animal introductions before adoption.

+ What if I don’t think the potential adopter is the right fit?

If you do not feel the potential adopter is the right fit, let the potential adopter know that you need time to discuss with CSHS before the adoption can be complete. Do not tell the potential adopter you do not think they are a good fit. Contact the Adoption Coordinator or Advocate with your concerns.

+ Am I allowed to stay in contact with the adopter?

Absolutely! If the adoptive family is comfortable staying in contact, you are more than welcome and encouraged to remain connected with them. Please consider sharing any updates you receive with us. We love to see how our former animals are doing!

+ If the adopters have questions about vetting, training, and/or other resources, what should I tell them?

Part of the Adopters Welcome philosophy is connecting adopters to resources that they may need down the road. If the adopters have questions, please connect them with the Adoption Coordinator or Advocate. They will respond to the adopter's questions.

+ What do I do with my fostering supplies once my foster animal is adopted?

Please use a mild bleach solution on all crates, bedding, bowls, and plastic/rubber toys. If you intend to foster in the near future, you may hold on to all items that were supplied by CSHS. If you do not intend to foster in the short term, we ask that the items be returned to the AWC. Please see our website for open hours.