Finder to Foster program helps keep a found pet for seven days during their “hold” period until the pet is reunited with their owner or adopter. If you have recently found a pet, please read these Found Pet tips from Best Friends Animal Society before completing the form below.
This program is for pets found in the City of Fairhope and primarily include medium to large breed dogs and kittens. Pet’s placed in this program are based on the resources available at the time and at The Haven’s discretion.
Complete the Lost and Found Pet Service Request form by clicking here. If eligible for the program, we will provide age appropriate vaccines, flea and tick preventative, dewormer, pet food and supplies, pet crate, toys and more. A photo of the animal can be taken by you and shared with us so we can include it with the animals records and make a Lost and Found post on social media.
Found pets that are not reunited with their owners after the seven days may be returned to us with a scheduled appointment. Or, you may choose to become a member of our Foster Program or adopt the pet after it is fully vetted (includes a spay/neuter).
BENEFITS OF PETS BEING IN A FINDER TO FOSTER:
- Pets are less stressed.
- Pets stay healthier.
- They get more love and exposure in the community to help find their owner or potential adopters.
- Individuals who foster animals provide more information about the animals personalities which helps us reduce the time the animal is homeless.
REQUIREMENTS
To participate in The Haven’s Finder to Foster program, potential fosters must meet the following criteria:
- Age Requirement: Applicants must be 18 years or older to ensure responsible care for found animals.
- Location: Participants should reside within a 30-mile radius of The Haven’s main facility to facilitate easy communication and support.
- Transportation: Foster caregivers must have access to reliable transportation for bringing animals to veterinary appointments or The Haven when necessary.
- Living Conditions: A secure, indoor environment with climate control is required. This space should be separate from other household pets if applicable.
- Commitment to Care: Fosters must agree to provide appropriate nutrition, exercise, and socialization for the animal in their care.
- Communication: Regular updates to The Haven’s Finder to Foster coordinator are mandatory. This includes responding to check-ins within 24 hours.
- Home Evaluation: An initial home visit by a Haven representative MAY BE required, with follow-up visits every 12 months to ensure continued suitability.
- Training: Completion of The Haven’s basic animal care and fostering workshop is necessary before taking in the first animal.
- Flexibility: Fosters should be prepared to care for an animal for varying lengths of time, potentially up to several weeks.
- Documentation: Accurate record-keeping of the animal’s behavior, eating habits, and any medical concerns is expected.
Meeting these requirements helps ensure the safety and well-being of both the fostered animals and the foster caregivers, while supporting The Haven’s mission to reunite lost pets with their owners or find them new loving homes.
FINDER TO FOSTER AGREE TO TAKE CARE OF AN ANIMAL IN THEIR HOME FOR SEVEN DAYS
- The Haven will provide you pet food, pet crate, leashes and collars, toys, and other supplies, if needed.
- Animals are vaccinated.
- Fosters can capture great videos and photos of the pet and share them with us so they can be added to our website and social media.
- Fosters can create a flyer using an easy template and share them with us while also hanging them in the community.
IF THE OWNER IS LOCATED DURING THE FOSTER PERIOD
- The Haven will contact the foster and schedule a time for you to bring the animal back to The Haven where they will be reunited with their owners.
IF NO OWNER IS LOCATED AFTER THE SEVEN DAYS ARE UP
- You can contact us to schedule a time to bring the animal back to us.
- Or, you can choose to continue providing a temporary, loving and caring environment for the animal and become a member of our Foster Program.
- Or, you can adopt the pet.
For more information, please contact us at info@havenforanimals.org