If you are wondering which animals are available for fostering, follow these steps:
- Go to available animals under the adoption tab of our website. CLICK HERE!
- If you see “adopt” under the photo, the animal already has a foster family and is only available for adoption.
- If you see “foster” under the photo, the animal needs a foster family.
- If you see “adopt” and “foster” under the photo, the animal needs either a foster or adopter.
- Alternatively, you can come to either ITV Rescue Center during open hours and see available animals.
10 WAYS TO BECOMES A SUCCESSFUL FOSTER PARENT – CLICK HERE!
VIEW OUR FOSTER HANDBOOK – CLICK HERE!!
SHORT VIDEO: FOSTERING SAVES LIVES – CLICK HERE!
IF YOU HAVE AN ITV FOSTER, COMPLETE A BIO FORM HERE!
FOR ONLINE CLASSES TO HELP FOSTER FAMILIES CLICK HERE!
Frequently Asked Questions
(adapted from Bad Rap)
HOW DOES ITV RESCUE GET THEIR FOSTER ANIMALS?
Almost all of our foster animals are transferred from high-intake city shelters. We also accept strays and owner surrenders. The shelters try very hard to reunite strays with their owners or find adopters for the animals that come into their care, but unfortunately, their intake numbers usually far exceed their return/adoption rate. That’s where the rescues can help reduce the number of adoptable animals that find homes. For every animal you foster, you actually save a second animal that can now take its place in the limited space of the shelter.
HOW MUCH TIME & EFFORT IS NEEDED TO FOSTER AN ANIMAL?
It depends on the animal you foster. Puppies and kittens are more work than adults and involve more intensive care, time and energy…although adult dogs generally stay in foster care longer than puppies. Many of our animals take an average of 1-2 months to place, but some can take a year or more to find their perfect match. Since adult pit bulls can take longer to place than other breeds, we look for foster homes that are patient, stable and realistic about what they’re getting into.
SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT GETTING IN OVER MY HEAD WITH AN ANIMALS I CAN’T HANDLE?
We’re careful to match fosters with dogs that meet their skill levels. If you’ve never fostered before, we’ll probably give you a very low drive dog or cat. We’ll work together to decide what kind of personality would be right for your situation, and then will support you so you feel comfortable with your foster’s progress. We want you to have a fun experience with this project. By fostering, you’ll be increasing your own dog skills under the guidance of a large group of people who know and love animals and you will have the satisfaction of making a real difference.
CAN I FOSTER AN ANIMALS IF I HAVE PETS ALREADY?
We actually prefer that you have pets at home ~ well socialized, of course. We also strongly recommend that your pets to be up-to-date with vaccinations. Please keep in mind that the foster may have an unknown vaccination history so it is important that your own pet(s) are vaccinated. We have numerous foster families that have other pets and have no problems with repeatedly taking fosters because their own pets are vaccinated. Your pet will most likely play a big part in helping the foster acclimate to life as a house pet. But no matter how well your foster gets along with your pets, we’ll require that you keep them separated, at least initially, when you are not there to supervise. This is for the safety and well-being of all animals.
HOW DO I TELL YOU ABOUT WHAT I HAVE LEARNED ABOUT MY FOSTER PET TO ASSIST WITH ADOPTION?
Feel free us to email us any updates or photos at info@itvrescue.org. For tips on taking pet photos, please CLICK HERE! We also ask that you complete this form to tell us about your foster pet: https://petstablished.com/petlover/general_form/40568
HOW WILL I EVER LET GO ONCE I GET ATTACHED?
If you get really attached to your foster and you can’t imagine your life without them, you do have the option of adopting him or her. Most foster families are happy to see their fosters finally go ‘home’ though. There’s no greater joy than knowing you saved a life, then seeing that deserving dog finally get his or her very own person. Many of our foster homes LOVE the feeling of placing their foster so much they immediately call and ask for another! Reminding ourselves of the millions of animals that die every year in shelters helps to “let go” of fosters so another one can be saved. We like to remind ourselves about the following saying when we are having a hard time giving a foster up:
On the fence about fostering because
it will be too hard to give them up?
I would rather cry watching them leave
our home to live a life of happiness and
joy in a loving home than cry because
no one stepped up to help them and they
died alone, frightened and sad in the shelter.
WOULD I HAVE TO REVIEW ADOPTION APPLICATIONS OR SPEAK TO POTENTIAL ADOPTERS?
Not unless you would like to be part of the adoption process. You just focus on enjoying your foster and the adoption counselor will handle all of the adoption details. We believe our foster families know their fosters best, so we will ask you to provide personality information about your foster for their online bio, or possibly to answer specific questions. If your schedule allows and you want to meet potential adopters, please just let us know.
WHAT WILL BE EXPECTED OF ME AS A FOSTER HOME?
Many rescued animals have had zero training before they land in the shelters, so it’s up to the foster home to teach good house manners so their foster can be adopted. We find that other pets also help teach the foster manners. This is no small project and includes house training, socializing and enforcing basic obedience skills. By making the foster a part of your family during his time with you, you’ll help him/her transition seamlessly into a forever home.
We ask that our foster families make the foster animal available for adoption events. You don’t need to be present at the event, but you will need to help us arrange getting the animal there and back. Again, if you would like to be involved in the adoption process, we’d love to include you. We also ask that our foster families commit to fostering the animal until it is adopted, unless other arrangements have been discussed in advance.
DO I HAVE TO HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THE BREED I AM FOSTERING?
We believe that all rescue animals are individuals. While experience with a particular breed can help understanding some of the common characteristics of a particular breed, it’s not that important. Each animal will have their own individual personality, and we will help you figure out how to engage and manage your particular foster. The only exception here is that we require that you own your home or have your property manager’s permission for the breed you are fostering. Of course, we’ll never demand you foster a pet you aren’t comfortable with.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO WORK FULL-TIME OUTSIDE THE HOUSE AND STILL FOSTER?
Absolutely! Most of our adopters work full time, so the 9-5 routine helps prepare the foster for such a lifestyle. If you do work full-time, however, it’s important that you make sure you have enough time and energy to give the foster the attention and exercise it needs when you are home.
WHO PAYS FOR THE FOSTER’S CARE?
ITV Rescue will cover all the veterinary expenses as well as crates and any other supplies you will need. If any vetting is necessary while a foster is in your care, ITV covers the costs as long as it is ITV that makes the appointment with our veterinarians. All of the ITV animals are altered, dewormed, and vaccinated while in their foster homes, and we do need fosters who are able and willing to work with scheduling! However, we completely understand that a vast majority of our fosters work, so transportation to appointments can be arranged. Because of our limited resources, many foster homes choose to further help the rescue by providing their own food, litter or heartworm/flea prevention. We will provide donated food, however, if requested by the foster.
CAN I FOSTER SHORT-TERM?
Sure! We always need relief fosters who can care for our animals when their foster families go out of town, have surgery or just need a little break. We love foster families, no matter if you foster once or continuously.
WHAT IF I CAN’T KEEP MY FOSTER ANIMAL?
If you are having problems with your foster, please contact us. It might be something that we can help you fix. We do work with a local trainer that can help also. Although we do have a rescue center, we RARELY have open kennels there. If an animal is adopted from the rescue center or moved to foster, the kennel is immediately filled with another animal as the need is so great that we have a long waiting list. As such, we request you give us some notice if you do have to bring your foster back so we can make proper arrangements. We understand, however, that emergencies do arise and notice is not always possible.
WHAT ARE OTHER WAYS I CAN HELP?
• Make sure to keep us updated and send in new pictures whenever possible!! The more information we have about a foster, the better chance of placing the foster in an appropriate forever home.
• Help at adoption events or community events. We would love to have your help at these events!
• Share, volunteer and attend our fundraising events. We cannot maintain this rescue without our fundraisers and need the support of our fosters at these events.
• We send out monthly newsletters letting our fosters and volunteers know what is going on with the rescue and where we are going to be. If you are not getting the newsletters, make sure you email us so we can put you on the list. We also use Facebook daily so be sure to follow us there and join the ITV fosters and volunteers group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/itvvolunteers.
• Share our dogs through Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and Twitter! The more exposure they get, the better the chance of adoption.
• Collect donations for our Rescue Center. We have wish list items posted on our website at ITVrescue.org and also an Amazon wish list posted on our website.
WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT FOR FOSTER FAMILIES?
The time commitment for foster parents really depends on the foster pet they have taken in. Some are in foster homes just a few days before we are able to find an adopter and some need more time to become ready for adoption due to their age or medical needs. Once you’ve applied to be a foster you can discuss what you are able to commit to and what pets might be a good fit for you to foster.
I LIVE IN AN APARTMENT – CAN I FOSTER?
Of course! Many of our current fosters live in apartments. We’d recommend double checking your apartment’s pet policy and, if you feel necessary, speaking with your leasing office to discuss fostering. Contrary to popular beliefs, fostering a pet does not require a ton of space. ITV does not require a fenced in yard in order to foster (or adopt). Most adult dogs are just happy to be out of the shelter and in the presence of a human and can make any space work. Puppies and kittens can even be kept to one room – a bathroom or powder room can work great – or even a play pen set up.
I DO NOT LIVE IN THE SAME CITY AS AN ITV RESCUE CENTER – CAN I FOSTER?
Yes, of course! We do need our fosters to be within a reasonable driving distance of our main shelter (1417 N. Stockwell Road, Evansville) in case of emergencies. Additionally, if the pet you’re fostering has any medical needs, we want to make sure you can easily bring him or her to the rescue center for any medical appointments. If you want to determine if your home is within our fostering area, please email info@itvrescue.org.
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