Fostering a pet in Hong Kong<\/h2>\n
A pet foster, or as we like to call it, foster pawrent, is someone who provides a safe and loving environment for any animal before they are adopted. This can take many different shapes, from hand rearing kittens, to giving a senior dog a winter home, to training a pup. Whatever the situation, the focus remains the same \u2013 helping the pet get ready for their furever homes. Foster parents are also required to provide food, water and, of course, affection! But don\u2019t worry, many shelters in Hong Kong provide food (and even toys and beds) and take care of the vet bills as required.<\/p>\n
There are different types of fostering, including a set time period, such as until the pup or kitten is old enough to return to a shelter; an SOS foster (which includes those that are sick, need surgery, or because it is too cold or hot for the pet in the shelter); or a long term placement for an animal until its adopted. Most charities in Hong Kong are set up to offer fostering for a set time period or SOS fosters. However, there are some, such as Kirsten\u2019s Zoo and Paws United Charity, that prefer long term fosters.<\/p>\n
Are you ready to try fostering a pet?<\/h3>\n![\"fostering](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\")
Are you ready to make the time commitment for fostering a pet? (Photography: Mentatdgt via Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile it can seem like an easy way to test drive living with an animal, fostering can be quite intensive, depending on the particular dog or cat you are fostering. Here are some questions to consider before you apply to become a foster pawrent.<\/p>\n
1. Is your house foster friendly?<\/h3>\n
You have to ensure that your home and estate is allowed to have pets. Dogs will require regular exercise and walking, and both cats and dogs can create noise and smells. Moreover, depending on the age of the animal, you may need to puppy proof your house. Young dogs can, and will, get into any and every nook and cranny, eating up your wires, favourite sandals and even the occasional plant. A playpen is a great idea for both cats and dogs to slowly discover their surroundings.<\/p>\n
2. Are your family\/ housemates comfortable?<\/h3>\n
Whether you live with family, friends or housemates, be sure to get their approval before committing to fostering. It is a decision for the whole household, as it can impact all everyone\u2019s lives. Discuss responsibilities, time of duration and the support you need to make this a successful endeavour. And if you already have a pet, you can still foster! Let the shelter know about your own pet\u2014and if they like or dislike certain types of dogs or cats\u2014so that the shelter can help you find the best match. An existing pet is often a great foster buddy, as they can help show your new pet the ways of living at home!<\/p>\n
3. Does your schedule allow you to foster?<\/h3>\n
Finally, fostering can be time consuming, especially if you have young kits or pups. Newborns require feeding almost every two hours, so it can be a full time job. Feeding times reduce as they grow, so you can be out and about more, but it\u2019s important to not leave the dog alone for too long at a given time. Also, they can often have vet trips, adoption days and adopter visits, so flexibility is important.<\/p>\n
Contacting Shelters<\/h2>\n
Now that you are ready, the next thing you will need to do is fill out the foster forms for the various charities. Most have a form available on their website and it does require a lot of information, from address details (so that they can make sure it\u2019s an animal friendly apartment) to details about others living with you, to your schedule and availability. Once you have filled out the forms, please be patient. Most Hong Kong animal charities are primarily volunteer<\/a> run, so it can take time for them to get back to you. Also requests for fostering may be urgent and time sensitive, so they will reach out depending on the need. A great way to keep updated is to follow the shelters on Facebook and Instagram and respond directly if they have a need. You can also find out more about animals in need of fostering by joining the Hong Kong Foster Pawrents group.<\/p>\nPreparing for fostering a pet<\/h2>\n
![\"fostering](\"https:\/\/static.thehoneycombers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2021\/11\/fostering-a-pet-walking-dog-900x643.jpeg\")
While it can seem like an easy way to test drive living with an animal, fostering can be quite intensive, depending on the particular dog or cat you are fostering. Here are some questions to consider before you apply to become a foster pawrent.<\/p>\n
1. Is your house foster friendly?<\/h3>\n
You have to ensure that your home and estate is allowed to have pets. Dogs will require regular exercise and walking, and both cats and dogs can create noise and smells. Moreover, depending on the age of the animal, you may need to puppy proof your house. Young dogs can, and will, get into any and every nook and cranny, eating up your wires, favourite sandals and even the occasional plant. A playpen is a great idea for both cats and dogs to slowly discover their surroundings.<\/p>\n
2. Are your family\/ housemates comfortable?<\/h3>\n
Whether you live with family, friends or housemates, be sure to get their approval before committing to fostering. It is a decision for the whole household, as it can impact all everyone\u2019s lives. Discuss responsibilities, time of duration and the support you need to make this a successful endeavour. And if you already have a pet, you can still foster! Let the shelter know about your own pet\u2014and if they like or dislike certain types of dogs or cats\u2014so that the shelter can help you find the best match. An existing pet is often a great foster buddy, as they can help show your new pet the ways of living at home!<\/p>\n
3. Does your schedule allow you to foster?<\/h3>\n
Finally, fostering can be time consuming, especially if you have young kits or pups. Newborns require feeding almost every two hours, so it can be a full time job. Feeding times reduce as they grow, so you can be out and about more, but it\u2019s important to not leave the dog alone for too long at a given time. Also, they can often have vet trips, adoption days and adopter visits, so flexibility is important.<\/p>\n
Contacting Shelters<\/h2>\n
Now that you are ready, the next thing you will need to do is fill out the foster forms for the various charities. Most have a form available on their website and it does require a lot of information, from address details (so that they can make sure it\u2019s an animal friendly apartment) to details about others living with you, to your schedule and availability. Once you have filled out the forms, please be patient. Most Hong Kong animal charities are primarily volunteer<\/a> run, so it can take time for them to get back to you. Also requests for fostering may be urgent and time sensitive, so they will reach out depending on the need. A great way to keep updated is to follow the shelters on Facebook and Instagram and respond directly if they have a need. You can also find out more about animals in need of fostering by joining the Hong Kong Foster Pawrents group.<\/p>\nPreparing for fostering a pet<\/h2>\n