HOW DOES THE FOSTER PROCESS WORK?
- Displaced hurricane pet owners call the Humane Society of Missouri. We take their information and compare it with our Hurricane Katrina database.
- We find the best possible matches and give the pet owner three names and phone numbers of homes willing to foster that match their criteria. The pet owner calls the prospective foster home and the two “interview” each other. The Humane Society of Missouri is a clearinghouse only. We will not be involved in the details between the pet owner and foster home.
- When a good match is found between BOTH the pet owner and foster home, they decide how to transfer the animal, who pays for food, medical care (if needed), approximately how long the fostering will last, and any situations that might arise between the two parties.
- The Humane Society of Missouri will ASSIST in any way possible, within our means.
- A basic agreement should be signed by both parties. The foster home already has the signed agreement on file with the Humane Society of Missouri (this will have been done prior to being put on the active database). The foster home should be certain that the pet owner signs the form (that has been emailed to you in a separate email) before taking the pet. This is an attempt to protect all parties involved.
- If there is not a matching criteria, the foster home might not be needed and utilized. Please know that we will keep the foster home on the active database until we are advised that the home has been given pets.
WHAT IF I (the foster home) CAN’T PAY FOR MEDICAL COSTS OR FOOD?
Each situation is unique. You and the pet owner will work out your own system that will work best for the both of you. This is something that you will work out when the owner calls you and you "interview" each other. If you cannot afford to pay, simply tell the owner and he/she will either accept it or not, in which case they will call other possible host families. The Humane Society of Missouri is acting as a clearinghouse only.
WHAT IF THE PET(S) IS/ARE NOT WORKING OUT IN THE FOSTER HOME?
The foster home and the pet owner need to stay in touch to be certain that the situation is working. If it becomes not workable, the pet owner should call the Humane Society of Missouri and request other foster homes available. They should then call and interview other homes and make arrangements to have their pet(s) transported to the new foster home.
WHAT IF I CAN’T GET IN TOUCH WITH THE OWNER AND I CAN’T KEEP THE PET(S)?
Contact the Humane Society of Missouri at (314) 951-1579 and we will assist.
CAN I ADOPT ANY OF THESE ANIMALS?
Our Hurricane Katrina foster program is set up to foster OWNED animals only. Owners themselves have called us to request assistance - so these particular animals will all be owned, therefore not available for adoption.
If you would like to adopt a pet, we have year-round, continuously full adoption centers with happy, healthy pets looking for good, loving homes right here in St. Louis area!
HOW CAN I PREPARE MY HOUSEHOLD FOR THIS NEW FOSTER PET?
Whenever you bring a new animal into the household, it is best to have the pet examined by a licensed veterinarian. The Humane Society of Missouri has two veterinary medical centers, one located in the Westport area and one in St. Louis. Please call for an appointment. We also recommend reading this behavior information.
HOW DO I LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF MISSOURI IS DOING FOR THE RESCUE EFFORT?
Read our rescue diary that our team members are updating daily. It's extremely informative and interesting.
