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FOSTER HOMES NEEDED FOR CATS AND DOGS

In order for us to properly evaluate animals that come into our program, we believe it is best to place animals into a home environment.  It allows us to provide potential adopters with accurate information on the animal's personality and behavior.  Since we are an all-volunteer group, we are always in need of donated items and services.
 

>> Ready to sign-up to foster?  Click here. <<

Winston and Rambo

We rescued Winston from a municipal shelter within days of his execution. He had been abandoned there by his family who chained him to the facility's fence after-hours and left him.  He had open sores on his back, and his nails were so long that he had difficulty walking.  He seemed to be an older dog with some hearing loss, but was housebroken and had very good manners.

Rambo was also left a small town pound.  He was young and extremely outgoing.  Space filled up and his time was up.  We had one opening in a foster home, and Rambo lived.  3 other cats that day were not so lucky.

These beautiful babies are the lucky ones.   It is a testament to animals everywhere that animals like Rambo and Winston are willing to trust people again so soon after being left for dead by their former families.  Open your home & heart for animals in need.

The Real Culpritss

Municipal shelters & staff are NOT "the bad guys".  Unlike a no-kill shelter, a municipal facility does not have the luxury of saying "no".  They must accept all animals that show up at their doorstep.  Their choices are to adopt, transfer, or euthanize them.  When all the cages are full and a new animal comes in the door, someone's going to die to make space for the new one.

Overpopulation is the #1 killer of companion animals.  Breeders, pet shop owners, people who "buy" animals, and those who do not spay/neuter are contributing to millions of deaths each year.  Each kitten or puppy born means one less home for a healthy, adoptable animal in a shelter.

It is sad that perfectly suitable adopters may not consider adopting from a shelter due to the misconception that there's something wrong with sheltered animals.  Quite often, their prior human guardian is solely to blame:

"My son is tired of the dog."  [Nobody at the pet shop mentioned a Labrador puppy would soon be 80 lbs. and needed training.]

"My daughter is tired of the cat."  [We know people who gave up their cat then turned around and bought their children a puppy, as if cats & dogs were toys.]

"The Himalayan I bought a year ago is shedding all over my expensive leather furniture.  She has to go."  [Another impulse buy.]

"I'm pregnant and can't have cats."  [Learn the truth about toxoplasmosis from the CDC.]

"We just bought a Siberian Husky puppy and spent a lot of money on surgeries.  Now that the dog is a year old, he picks on the cat.   My son sleeps with the cat every night, and he will be devastated, but we've spent too much money on the dog to get rid of him.  The cat has to go." [What message did the son get from that lesson?]

"I'm moving and can't take the cat with me." [Ask us about Pet Friendly Housing.  If children were not allowed in an apartment building, would parents consider moving there?  We have known people who moved to Malaysia and brought their cats with them.]

"My daughter/son/wife/husband has allergies." [Have an allergy test first to make sure it's the cat.  Regular vacuuming and cleaning may help.  Talk with your doctor about medications that might be suitable.]

Some of our adoptable animals come from municipal shelters where they would have been killed within days if we did not step forward to rescue them.

We receive a phone call from a shelter manager who delivers the sobering news:  "x" number of cats will be euthanized by "x" date unless transferred or adopted.   Talk about pressure!   We stretch the bounds and our own comfort levels to save every animal we can.  If we had more foster homes, we could save more lives.

   
 

Our ability to save animals from death is contingent upon the immediate availability
of foster homes.

 
     

Consider opening your home to a cat in transition.  Some may need to be taken to a veterinarian.  Some need a little confidence to face the world again.  Some are ready to go and simply need a safe place to stay until we have space in our Adoption Centers.  But all need the selfless love and compassion of a foster care provider to help them get a fresh start.  Contact us

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FOSTER CARE

  1. How long are foster care commitments?  This varies.  We try to rotate all of our foster care animals into the Petsmart store within a reasonable time (our aim is within 2 months).  However, we recognize that not all people are able to provide foster care for that period of time.  Some of the animals need short term commitments for 2 to 3 weeks.  Depending on what you are able to provide, we will honor that and place a cat/kitten with you that fits in that parameter.
  2. What are the risks to your own animals? Minimal with proper precautions.  First, we will update your pets' vaccinations at no charge to keep them healthy.   All animals that go into foster care are veterinarian checked, tested for major diseases, vaccinated, and flea and parasite treated.  However, it is important that any foster cat be housed in a separate room (spare bedroom, spare bathroom).  Upper respiratory infections and parasitic infections are found in many stray cats, so keeping them apart generally prevents transmission.  Much less common are ringworm exposure or another odd infection, but usually handwashing after contact and separate areas minimizes or eliminates the possible spread.
  3. What are the costs involved?  CATsNAP provides all veterinary care by utilizing its network of participating veterinarians.  Please note all care must be scheduled through the foster care coordinator, not by individual foster homes.



Contact Information
 

Postal address
P.O. Box 456, Savoy, IL 61874
Voicemail
217-353-5243
Electronic mail
General Information: catsnap@insightbb.com


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