Adjustment & Behavior

Creating a Loving Environment

Fostering is about providing a bridge between a difficult past and a hopeful future. Here are some tips for making your foster pet feel at home:

• Be Patient: Adjusting to a new home can be stressful for animals, especially those coming from a shelter. Give them time to decompress and explore their surroundings at their own pace.
• Links for decompression, bringing home new pets: CAT / DOG
• Establish a Routine: Animals thrive with predictability.A regular schedule for feeding, play, and quiet time can help your foster feel more secure.
• Show Affection: Every pet has a different comfort level with physical affection. Let them come to you when they’re ready, and respect their boundaries.

How Fostering Saves Lives

By opening your home, you’re not just helping the animal in your care; you’re also creating space for other animals to receive the help they need. Fostering allows shelters to take in more animals, reduces overcrowding, and provides the opportunity for more personalized care.

FAQs About Fostering

Which animals qualify for the Foster Program?

A variety of animals qualify for our Foster Program, including:

• Animals recovering from injuries
• Animals being treated for illness
• Animals who are too young to go up for adoption (under 8 weeks old)
• Animals who are too stressed in the shelter environment
• Animals who require behavioral help/training
• Animals who have been in the shelter for over 2 weeks and need a nice vacation from the shelter

How long will I foster an animal?

The time commitment can vary from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the animal’s needs.

What if I get attached?

It’s natural to bond with your foster pets. While saying goodbye can be hard, knowing they’re going to a loving home is a rewarding part of the process. Plus, continuing to foster other animals helps us to continue having the resources to rescue more! However, if you fall in love and end up wanting to adopt, fosters get the first priority to adopt (as long as the animal doesn’t already have a scheduled adoption appointment!)

Do I have to cover medical expenses?

Bideawee covers medical care, food, and other supplies. Your role is to provide love and a safe environment.

Thank You for Fostering!

Your willingness to help animals in need makes a world of difference. By fostering, you’re offering a stepping stone to a brighter future for each dog, puppy, cat, or kitten that comes through your door. Thank you for your compassion and dedication to giving these living beings the care they deserve.

“Together, we can save lives, one foster home at a time.”

 3-3-3 RULE

The 3-3-3 Rule for shelter animals describes the stages of adjustment that a dog or cat typically goes through when transitioning into a new home, whether as an adopted pet or a foster. It helps new fosters or adopters understand what the animal might experience during the adjustment period. Here’s what to expect:

3 Days: Feeling Overwhelmed

• Adjusting to New Surroundings: During the first 3 days, the animal may feel scared, anxious, and overwhelmed by their new environment. They might hide, refuse to eat, or appear shut down.
• Learning the Routine: They are trying to understand what is safe and who they can trust. They might test boundaries or be uncertain about house rules.
• Limited Behavior: You may not see their true personality yet. Give them space and patience as they process the changes.

3 Weeks: Settling In

• Developing a Routine: After about 3 weeks, the animal will start to feel more comfortable in their new home and begin to understand the routine, such as feeding times, bathroom breaks, and where they can sleep or rest.
• Showing True Personality: This is when you’ll start to see more of their personality emerge as they become more comfortable and confident in their new environment.
• Testing Boundaries: They may also test boundaries as they learn what behaviors are expected of them in the household.

3 Months: Feeling at Home

• Building Trust and Forming Bonds: By 3 months, the animal should feel fully comfortable and secure in their new home. They have likely formed a strong bond with their new family and feel part of the household.
• Behavioral Adjustments: Many behavioral issues, such as anxiety, should have improved as they feel more at ease. They’ll understand what is expected of them and adapt to their new life.
• Feeling Secure: This is when you’ll truly see the animal settle into their new environment, with a sense of belonging and security in their forever home or foster space.

The 3-3-3 Rule is just a general guide, as every animal adjusts differently. Being patient and consistent with routines, along with offering love and understanding, helps a foster or adopted pet feel safe and comfortable.

THINGS TO AVOID WITH YOUR NEW FOSTER

When fostering a new pet, there are certain actions you should avoid unless specifically instructed by a foster manager, foster assistant, or Bideawee’s staff. These guidelines help ensure the safety and well-being of both the animal and the household. Here’s a list of what not to do:

Do Not Introduce to Other Pets Without Approval

• No Direct Interactions: Avoid introducing your foster pet to any other pets in the home until you receive approval or instructions from the foster team. This helps prevent stress or potential conflicts.
• Keep Separate Spaces: Maintain separate living spaces for your foster and resident pets until approved even if they seem friendly through doors or gates.

Do Not Give Over-the-Counter Medications

• No Human Medications: Never give human medications (e.g., pain relievers, allergy meds) to your foster pet without direct instructions from the staff, as many can be harmful or toxic.
• Stick to Prescribed Treatments: Only administer medications that are prescribed specifically for your foster animal, following the dosage and schedule provided. Do not discontinue meds until approved by the medical team (even if symptoms or anxiety go away!)

Do Not Change Their Diet

• Stick to Provided Food: Feed only the diet that has been approved or provided by Bideawee. Switching food abruptly can cause digestive issues or aggravate existing health conditions.
• Avoid Treats Not Approved by the Team: Avoid giving treats or human food unless you have confirmation that they are safe for your foster. Some common foods (like chocolate, grapes, or certain artificial sweeteners) are toxic to pets.

Do Not Take Them to Dog Parks or Public Places

• Avoid High-Traffic Areas: Until you have received approval, avoid taking your foster dog to dog parks, pet stores, or other high-traffic public places where they may be exposed to new environments, diseases, or interactions with unknown animals.
• No Off-Leash Time: Keep your foster dog on a leash at all times during walks, unless instructed otherwise. This helps maintain control and prevents them from running off or encountering unexpected dangers.

*PUPPIES 5 MONTHS AND OLDER MUST HAVE A HARNESS AND LEASH WHEN GOING OUTSIDE. THEY MUST HAVE 2 LEASH ON ANYTIME THEY ARE OUTDOORS (LEASH CLIPPED ON THE COLLAR AND THE OTHER LEASH ON HARNESS)*

Do Not Attempt Grooming or Bathing if Not Instructed

• No Shaving or Haircuts: Avoid giving your foster dog any haircuts, shaves, or trims unless directed by staff.
• Be Careful with Baths: Check with the foster manager before bathing your foster, especially if they have a medical condition or skin issue. Incorrect bathing products can cause irritation or worsen conditions.

Do Not Train with Harsh Methods

• No Negative Reinforcement: Avoid using punishment-based training methods, such as yelling, hitting, or using shock collars. These methods can create fear and anxiety in foster animals.
• Focus on Positive Training: Use positive reinforcement (like treats, praise, and affection) for training, and consult with the foster team if you encounter behavior challenges.

Do Not Neglect to Report Medical Concerns

• Contact Staff for Any Health Changes: If you notice any changes in your foster’s appetite, behavior, energy level, or physical condition, reach out to the foster manager or foster assistant immediately instead of trying to treat it on your own.
• Follow Emergency Protocols: In case of an emergency, follow the instructions provided by the foster team rather than making independent decisions about medical care.

FOSTER MANAGER: GABBY SABRINA (SUN THROUGH THURS)

FOSTER ASSISTANT: JOSBELY (JO) ARIAS (FRI-SAT, MON-TUE)

Medical Records and Health Check Requirements

Provision of Medical Records

All fosters will receive complete and up-to-date medical records for every animal placed in their care. These records include, when applicable, vaccination history, previous treatments, diagnostic findings, prescribed medications, and any known medical or behavioral conditions.

• Medical records will be provided prior to or at the time of foster placement.
• Any updates to an animal’s medical information will be communicated to the foster promptly.

Required Health Checks for Long-Term Foster Placements

In accordance with organizational policy and applicable animal welfare regulations, any animal remaining in a foster home for 30 days or more must receive a routine medical check and weight assessment at least once every six (6) months.

The required six-month health check ensures:

• Ongoing monitoring of overall physical health
• Early identification of medical or weight-related issues.

By following these guidelines, you’ll help create a safe and positive environment for your foster pet. Please access these resources to learn more Resources – Bideawee