‘Meet the Fosters’ Foster Pet Care Training

1. ‘Meet the Fosters’Foster Pet Care Training Date Time WELCOME

2. Introduction Day Newsome Foster Care Coordinator Mon – Fri 8am-5pm Office: (804) 521-1313 Emergency Cell: (804) 399-3630 Email: dnewsome@richmondspca.org

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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!

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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!)

18. 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

19. 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

20. Questions? Concerns?

21. 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!