We would love to have you join us.
Foster homes are the difference between life and death to an animal in need.
One of the most important and rewarding jobs that a animal lover can have is to serve as a foster home for an animal before he or she is placed in a forever home. Follow Your Heart Animal rescue (FYH) does not have a shelter facility; therefore, we rely on foster parents to care for our rescued animals.
If you have ever said, “It’s so sad, but there’s nothing I can do.” Well, fortunately, you can do something without making a lifetime commitment or taking on additional financial responsibility. Becoming a foster parent can be challenging, but it’s always rewarding!
Our program provides:
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Medical care
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Food/treats
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Bedding
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Grooming
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Training
Throughout the year, FYH provides orientation training sessions. With the support and help of other volunteers and experienced fosters, you will be helping to save the life of an animal in need.
FYH adoption events are held at our Healthy Paws Market (off Higley & University) and PetSmart (Off Val Vista & Guadalupe). These events not only expose your foster to potential adopters, but you become part of the FYH community of volunteers. You join a family of amazing people who are compassionate, and passionate about what they do.
Each new foster will join our group page on FB that will connect you with our whole foster and volunteer family. You will never feel like you are in it alone. We all help each other out whenever there is need.
Check out our Needs A Foster page for availabe dogs to foster. If you don't see a dog on the Needs A Foster page that fits your family, come to an event and fill out our foster application and we can help you find a foster that fits your family.
Fostering FAQ
How do I know if I qualify to be a foster parent?
Do you love pets? Do you have a house or an apartment with enough space in it? Do you have the ability to have pets where you live? If your answers are yes to these questions, then you probably qualify. Finding a perfect foster match is an important part of the foster program. By getting to know foster families better, we can help to choose the foster dog best suits the family. Foster animals come from all walks of life, some with history, most without. We try, sometimes with minimal info, to get the match right so that your foster experience can be a rewarding one.
What do I need to do to apply?
Fill out the application form found on this page and email it to fyhfosters@gmail.com or bring it to one of our adoption events or to Healthy Paws Market:
446 N Higley Rd #102
Mesa, AZ 85205
Tues-Sat: 11am - 4pm
Is this considered a form of volunteering?
Yes! Many people are not able to make time for volunteering in the traditional way, but fostering is a great opportunity for you to help out without having to change your daily routine a whole lot.
What if I already have a dog?
That shouldn’t be a problem. It often even helps to have another dog for your foster dog to socialize with.
How fast will I get a dog?
It depends. Almost daily, we get notifications about dogs that are available to take from shelters or dogs that were found or needing re-homed, so it could happen as quickly as a day after approval.
How much of the expenses are covered by FYH?
100% of the expenses are covered by FYH, including medical care, food and treats, bedding, grooming and training (if needed).
What other duties do I have as a foster parent?
Other than providing a loving foster home and doing some basic training (our training experts can help) with your foster dog, you are required to transport your pet to our adoption events (Occasionally, Help can be arranged). There are also other events to which you may be asked to bring your foster dog—for example, alter or Vet appointments or a fundraiser event, if your schedule allows.
Things to think about:
1. All new fosters should realize that in most cases, we do not know much in the way of history of the dog in question. Temperament, how the dog interacts with various people and pets cannot typically be confirmed until the dog is in its foster home.
2. The first few days a foster dog is in its new temporary home can be stressful for both the dog and the foster. Keep in mind the dog is now living in a new situation. It may have an accident – it probably WILL have an accident. The dog may have lived its whole life outside or it does not know where exactly it should go. Bottom line is that every foster needs at least 3-5 days, maybe more to become acclimated to their new surroundings and daily routine.
3. We ask that new fosters keep a dog for a minimum of 3-5 days before deciding to return a foster back to the group because you feel it will not work out. As stated above, some dogs need time to adjust to new surroundings. If, however, the foster is not working out, FYH will try and find a new foster home but it may take our volunteers several days to make alternate arrangements for the foster dog. We ask for your patience during these times. Most of our volunteers work full time jobs during the day and do rescue work on their lunch hours, after work and on weekends. We cannot always respond ASAP.
4. The goal of FYH is to place our dogs into the BEST possible home. This means that we do not place dogs into the first available home just to get rid of them. You may have a foster for a week or you might have the foster for several months, depending on the dog.
5. You will get to know your foster dog better than anyone. In order for us to know new things about our dogs, we ask that you occasionally give us updates on your foster dog regarding any changes, such as weight, personality, likes and dislikes, and behaviors. Getting updated pictures of your foster dog goes very far in the dog getting noticed on our websites, so please do this as often as you wish!
There I sat, alone and afraid,
You got a call and came right to my aid.
You bundled me up with blankets and love.
And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug
.
I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold.
That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold.
You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend.
You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.
And just when I thought you’d done all you do,
There came along not one new lesson, but two.
First you said, “Sweetheart, you’re ready to go.
I’ve done all I can, and you’ve learned all I know.”
Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss.
Along came a new family,they even have kids!
They took me to their home, forever to stay.
At first I thought you sent me away.
Then that second lesson became perfectly clear.
No matter how far, you will always be near.
And so, Foster Mom, you know I’ve moved on.
I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.
But I’ll never forget what I learned that first day.
You never really give your fosters away.
You gave me these thoughts to remember you by.
We may never meet again, and now I know why.
You’ll remember I lived with you for a time.
I may not be yours, but you’ll always be mine.
- Author Unknown
With your help, we CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Open your heart and home and give an animal a second chance! Learn how you can join our team and become a guardian angel for animals!