Adopt or Foster a Special Needs Animal

 PAWS is in need of patient and loving individuals to foster special-needs animals. With a little preparation, you can become a foster parent for a special-needs animal, providing an important service and potentially saving a life. The following is a guide for how to foster special-needs animals.

We all want dogs and cats - whether we adopt a dog or cat or foster them - to live a long healthy life but there is never a guarantee - special needs or not. It is the quality of time spent together that matters the most. Do we love an animal less because they were with us for five years rather than 15 years - no way!

Animals teach us about living - and dying - and in the end, they touch our lives in profound and significant ways. We believe, making us better more compassionate and tolerant human beings.

Special-needs animals require special care and attention due to health issues, injuries or other conditions. Many special-needs animals are either quite old or very young or have a treatable condition such as diabetes or are FeLV or FIV+ cats. Others exhibit behavioral problems because they have been neglected or abused. Special-needs animals may require more individual attention. Whether you are adopting or fostering, you are providing home and lots of TLC for cats, dogs and other animals with special needs.

Fostering any animal requires certain resources, such as time, space and pet supplies. However, special-needs animals may require special conditions, veterinary care and more time and energy than the average foster pet.

Once you have been approved as an adoptor or foster parent for a special-needs animal, the next step is to prepare your home and family for the new addition. Young children especially need to be prepared to deal with a special-needs animal so that neither party is endangered. You should prepare an area that is safe and comfortable for the animal and minimizes the damage it can do to your home. If you have pets of your own, it is typically recommended that you keep them separated from your foster animal until they have had time to adjust. Over time, you can gradually introduce the new animal to other pets in a controlled setting. Of course, you’ll need additional supplies, such as food, grooming tools, medical supplies and any other items that your special-needs animal requires.