LIFESAVER
FAQ

Whatever your connection is with Petey and Furends—social media follower, previous adopter, donor, volunteer, networker, fan, event attendee—you’ll know that we are ALWAYS looking for foster families who we call our Lifesavers! Petey and Furends does not have a shelter or other housing facility for our dogs and cats. All of the animals in our care live in private homes, with volunteer foster families. Lifesavers are the backbone and lifeblood of Petey and Furends… without them, we have no rescue.

WHAT IS A LIFESAVER (foster)?

Lifesavers care for dogs or cats—that’s the bottom line. They make sure that their fosters have all of the love, food, medical care and exercise that they need in order to thrive. They learn all about their fosters likes and dislikes, preferences, personalities, and sometimes quirks. Lifesavers help make sure that each animal goes to an adoptive family that is the perfect fit.

WHO CAN BE A FOSTER?

Anyone who has the time and energy to dedicate to caring for an animal and the willingness to help them find a new home can be a Lifesaver. They are caring, compassionate people who want to make a difference in an animal's life. You must live in the DC metro area and have some familiarity with caring for animals in your home, or the willingness to learn.

How do I know which Animal I will foster?

In order to ensure that our Lifesavers are being matched with the appropriate animal for their home and lifestyle, we have created different levels based on experience and preference. They are as follows:

  • Freshman: 

    • These are individuals who have limited or no experience in fostering. We will do our best to pair them with dogs or cats who have no known medical or behavioral issues and who have tested well with others in the shelter environment. The animal can be young or an adult. All Freshmen will be paired with a mentor who will help provide them with any information they might need to be successful.

  • Sophomore:

    • These are individuals who have experience in fostering. They are able to deal with minor behavioral or medical issues.

  • Junior: 

    • These are individuals who have fostered previously and are willing to take on a medical foster. This includes pregnant or nursing mamas, dogs or cats with common ailments such as heartworm, mange, or ringworm, and animals that require surgery or physical therapy. There may be other special medical cases as well. These Lifesavers must be willing to take our animals to vet appointments, follow medical guidelines, give medication, and remain in close contact with the core volunteers to keep them updated on their fosters progress.

  • Senior:

    • These are individuals who have fostered previously and are willing to take on a behavioral foster. This will likely consist of dogs who might not be good with other animals, dogs or cats who could be shy or shutdown as a result of being in a shelter environment for too long, or our animals that get returned after having been adopted out. These Lifesavers must be willing to take our animals to training and work with the animals to follow the trainer’s suggestions and protocols. We ask that these individuals remain in close contact with the core volunteers to keep them updated on the animals progress. 

How long will i keep my foster?

We prefer that you commit to fostering your animal until an adoptive home can be found. Unfortunately, we cannot predict how long this will take. It depends on the animal’s breed, age, temperament, and the time of year, as well as how proactive you are about marketing your foster animal and attending adoption events. If you can foster only for a specific period of time, please be certain to indicate this up front to the Matchmaker you are working with.

What supplies do I need to BE A FOSTER?

To be a Lifesaver, you don’t have to start with any supplies—Petey and Furends can provide you with everything you need. You just have to let us know in advance so that we can gather all of the materials for you. We can provide a crate, bedding, food, food bowls, mess cleaner, leash, collar, ID tag, and anything else you might need. We try to make it as easy as possible for our Lifesavers to continue helping us save more lives!

Do I have to take my foster to the vet?

We do our best to ensure that all of our animals are well taken care of and up to date on all of their vaccinations. Although we hope that our animals are healthy upon arrival from the shelters, there will be cases when they may need to visit a local vet. Luckily, we have various veterinary partners all across DC, MD, and VA, so that hopefully a vet visit is not too difficult to arrange. If you believe your foster needs to see a vet, all you need to do is reach out to our core volunteers or your mentor, and they can help you get the appointment set up according to your schedule.

How much does it cost to foster?

Due to our generous donors and in-kind donations, Petey and Furends is able to provide you with everything needed to reduce the costs associated with adding an additional animal into your home. Although some Lifesavers are able to provide their fosters with all of the necessary supplies, this is by no means a requirement for fosters. If you need supplies, just ask!