Fostering
Do you want to make a difference in the life of an animal?
Complete our foster orientation today!
Why foster?
The AWLA’s amazing foster caregivers provide an extra level of care and attention to the animal residents who need it the most. This might include animals too young or small for adoption, those recovering from surgery or illness and animals who could use a break from the shelter environment. The dedication and compassion of each foster caregiver changes the life of an animal or animals in need, and while it can be exhausting work, our foster caregivers say that preparing their charges for the next chapter of their lives is the best possible reward.
Foster Rx
When an animal has a medical condition that can be better tended outside the shelter environment, our medical support fosters are the first to lend a hand. These team members are ready to help with needs ranging from GI and litter box issues, administering injections and helping animals recover from surgery. Oftentimes, they will have an isolated portion of their home for their foster charge to recover in peace and quiet, and the AWLA foster team will provide the medications and guidance needed for each animal.
Team Big Dog
Our big pups are special, and fosters with a variety of backgrounds can help give them the special care they need. From providing behavioral support to house training, they take it all on, assisting dogs who can weigh anywhere from 50 to 150 pounds! Fosters without other pets or small children are especially crucial, as some of our pups can be a bit particular about their human and animal friends. Optional training assistance plans and additional guidance will be given to all Big Dog Fosters.
Community Fosters
Sometimes a member of our community experiences a crisis, such as an emergency hospital stay or homelessness, that means they are temporarily unable to care for their pet. Community Fosters help to fill that gap, taking in owned pets so that they can return to their beloved family once an emergency has resolved. With Alexandria residents being financially impacted by the global pandemic, we expect that long-term Community Fosters who can dedicate 1 to 3 months of their foster time will be especially necessary. These dedicated volunteers are truly helping a neighbor in need, and helping a pet at a time when they need it most!
Tiny Tot Fosters
Sometimes animals come to the AWLA too young or small for adoption, and that’s where our Tiny Tot fosters come in. They care for puppies, kittens, baby rabbits, guinea pigs and even mice while they grow big enough to find their new families, teaching valuable life and home skills along the way. Tiny Tots may or may not come with a nursing mom to help, but with any of these animal babies, note that house-training efforts will be a must!
Sleepover Fosters
Everyone can use a weekend away…and that includes adoptable animals! If you’d like to provide an animal with a calming mini-break, some quality cuddle time and the chance to take a spin around a new neighborhood, consider becoming a sleepover foster. It’s also a great way to dip your toe into the foster swimming pool to see what other kinds of fostering you might be interested in!
Learn more about fostering with the AWLA!
Our team will provide you with the supplies and guidance you need to foster any animal. Read more about being a member of the foster team on our FAQ page.
Questions?
Contact us at foster@alexandriaanimals.org.