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AWS Fostering Programs
Our four basic foster programs allow us to care for many more animals than we could if we had to stay inside our four walls. Many animals require more involved care that cannot be easily administered in the shelter environment. These cases are placed into foster care in volunteer and staff homes and return to the shelter when they are ready for adoption. If you are interested in getting involved with our foster programs, you first must become an AWS volunteer. Please check out our volunteer pages for more information. We also rely on donations from caring individuals like you to provide supplies for the foster homes.
Kitten Foster: Many litters of kittens are brought to us during kitten season, roughly from May to October. These kittens are often too young to survive on their own, and require frequent care including help with feeding, bathing and eliminating. Sometimes the mother is with the kittens and can be fostered with them. Other times the kittens are dropped off with no mother. Kittens are more susceptible to disease and often fall prey to illness at the shelter. Home foster environments allow them to grow more rapidly, become better socialized and stay healthier. Once the kittens reach two and a half pounds, they can be returned to the shelter, spayed or neutered and made available for adoption.
Medical Foster: At the AWS, we go above and beyond what is typical to provide medically for the animals in our care. It is not uncommon to spend over a couple hundred dollars to remove a benign cyst, run blood tests or many other instances. While recouperating, these animals are susceptible to illnesses and stresses in the shelter environment. They heal faster and become stronger much more rapidly while in a foster care environment. We rely on caring volunteer and staff homes to give these animals the best chance possible.
PAWS Foster: Our PAWS (Pets and Women to Safety) program is a confidential program that provides foster care for animals in need of temporary homes due to domestic violence situations. Foster homes are kept confidential and require specific length of time commitment. Foster homes can specify what type of animal they would prefer to foster.
Socialization or LTR Foster: Some cats need more 1 on 1 attention before being ready for adoption. These can include cats that are very fearful, stray cats that have been without human contact for a long time, or long term residents that have been at the shelter for a while and just need a break in a home environment. If you have some extra time to devote to improving the life of one of these cats, we welcome your involvement!
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