Can I foster with pets?

All children require a safe and nurturing environment for them to grow and thrive. Many people who are considering becoming foster parents may have pets in their homes, and they may wonder if it is possible to foster a child while also having pets.

The simple answer is yes, you can foster if you have pets!

Our foster parents have a huge variety of pets…. From dogs, cats, hamsters, snakes, birds, horses, lizards, sheep, cows, mice and even spiders!

As part of our assessment process, we will conduct a ‘Pet Assessment’ to check that the pets in your household will be safe around children. This assessment is a small document that forms part of your application to be a foster parent.

Pets can be incredibly beneficial to children for a variety of reasons:

Companionship: Having a pet can provide them with a sense of companionship and pets are proven to help reduce feelings of loneliness, stress and anxiety.

Emotional Support: Pets can provide emotional support for children in foster care. They may have difficulty trusting others, but pets can help to create a sense of safety and security.

Responsibility: Taking care of a pet can teach children important life skills, such as responsibility, empathy, and compassion. It can also help to build their self-esteem and sense of self-worth.

Physical Activity: Pets can encourage the whole family to be more physically active, which is important for overall health and well-being. Walking a dog, playing with a cat, or caring for other pets can help to increase physical activity and reduce stress.

Sense of Belonging: We can all relate to the feeling of coming home after a long day to be greeted by our pets.  Pets can provide a sense of stability and routine. Pets can also help to make a new and unfamiliar environment feel more like home.

Overall, pets can be incredibly beneficial to fostering families. If you have a pet and are interested in fostering, please get in contact with us today!