FDRA IS CURRENTLY NOT RUNNING A FOSTER PROGRAM AT THIS TIME.
IF YOU WISH TO FOSTER, PLEASE CONTACT HS OF UVALDE ON OUR LINKS PAGE.
Fostering is providing a safe, loving home for a dog or cat until he/she gets adopted. The average foster time is about 1-3 months, depending. Sometimes pets go very fast, sometimes they take a little longer and we really don't know why. Each animal is unique and special.
FDRA takes in, on a case-by-case basis, a scared dog or cat from a shelter, the streets, an abusive/neglectful situation, or from people who just can no longer care for their pet anymore. It all depends upon foster home availability and what type of pet they can bring into their home. If the pet has not already been vetted, the Animal Intake Coordinator or Intake/Foster Committee volunteer works with the foster family and the vet office to get an appointment for an immediate overall, well being checkup. The foster parents must be available to take the pet to the veterinarian for a physical exam, to be spayed/neutered (if not already), tested for heartworm, Lyme, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, and treated if need be as well as get treated for any other worms or parasites and brought up to date (UTD) on all vaccinations. Cats are tested for FIV and feline leukemia. All FDRA animals are injected with a microchip which identifies the animal and owner for a lost pet recovery program. The information will come up when scanned with a microchip scanner. All Del Rio veterinarians, FDRA, and the City Animal Control officers are equipped with these scanners, as are most vet offices and shelters across Texas.
This animal may not have ever lived inside a home and will need to be house trained and taught basic obedience commands such as sit, shake, come, no, etc. We do not allow fosters or adopters to keep a dog chained outside or kept outside in a kennel for its whole life, not being allowed to be part of their family. Dogs are social (pack) animals and need to be a part of a group (pack, family), and not left outside all alone and subject to all sorts of adverse weather conditions. Contrary to some beliefs, dogs are not “meant” to be out in freezing cold or extreme heat, in the rain, snow and storms. Many dogs are very afraid of thunderstorms and will injure themselves trying to escape the loud noise. The same goes for fireworks.
[The state of Texas has laws against the cruel treatment of animals and against unlawful restraint of animals. For more detailed information go to this web page: http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/HS/content/htm/hs.010.00.000821.00.htm ]
The foster pet might never have been socialized around too many people or other animals. The most desired by adopters are, ”house trained dogs who like car rides, good around other dogs, ok with new people, good with cats, kids, etc. (yes, they want a ready-made dog/cat).” So you need to find out how many of these things your foster dog/cat is ok with so we know what to put in his/her bio next to their photo on our web page.
We will not lie about the dog’s/cat’s behaviors, even when something is iffy, for example.... some animals do not like men, some do not like kids, however, they may seem to act ok around "some" men or "some" kids, but we really do not want to chance it and say they can get along with some because we will just end up getting the pet returned over and over again, finding out which they DO get along with, SO.... it's best to say the pet needs to be adopted by a woman, no small kids, etc. Getting the idea?
The pet will need food, a collar, heartworm prevention and flea and tick preventative. You will need to provide this. If you cannot provide these things for the pet(s), then perhaps fostering is not for you.
All applicants for fostering and adoption must be approved. We are very careful about whom our pets will go to. We try our best to "match" people with pets. We observe what the applicant's needs are and do a vet check, reference checks, and home visit on each one. The foster home knows the pet’s personality the best so we take the foster parent’s input into great consideration for each adoption. All adoptions are sealed by a signed agreement and the suggested adoption donation for a dog ($105) or a cat ($95).
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STILL INTERESTED IN FOSTERING?
Good! Read on… 
THE JOYS OF FOSTERING A PET
Since Friends of Del Rio Animals does not have a physical facility, we rely on foster families to care for our rescued/surrendered/abandoned dogs and cats. By fostering, you are given the opportunity to personally help our pets adjust to being in a family environment.
Choosing to be a foster is a very rewarding experience. It is a way to help a homeless pet without making a lifetime commitment. It may change your normal routine and it is always a good idea if you presently have pets to make sure that they will all get along.
So why would any sane individual volunteer to be a foster? People who choose to foster do so because they know that they are helping an unwanted pet from poor living conditions, euthanization or a possible cruel and unusual death. It gives them the good feeling that they are making a difference… because they are. The good deed turns quickly into a rewarding, educational, challenging and fun experience.
Unfortunately, we loose many of our foster families to adoption. The bond between them and their  furry little charges can not be broken. For others, they prepare for the next little charge to come into their home. I personally have fostered about 28 dogs and puppies over the last 9 years (and adopted 6). Yep, I admit, sometimes it’s hard to let go, but knowing that they are going to another forever, loving home makes it easier.
The photo to the right tells it all.
There is a little void for some foster parents, but that just means it can be filled again very quickly with a new foster dog or cat.
If you love animals, and have the space and time to open
your heart and home to a foster animal, you will find it immeasurably rewarding.
If you are interested in becoming a foster, please contact Annmarie Mikelski at (830) 734-0500 or intake@friendsofdra.org.
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