Be a Pawster Foster!
If you love dogs or cats (or both), then you are the perfect candidate to be a Pawster Foster. You bring the love and attention, Pawster provides the supplies! We welcome people anywhere in Middle Tennessee who want to care for a pet temporarily.
Sign up in 5 minutes:
A Pawster Nashville representative will be in touch soon. In the meantime, take a look at the first section “Safety First” of the Foster Dog and/or Foster Cat manuals below:
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Do I need to have special training or experience before I apply?
No! We only ask that you are open to learning. There are plenty of resources to help you learn all you need to know about caring for a dog or cat, and we are there with you every step of the way when any questions come up!
Q. How much time does fostering take?
Fostering pets is one of the most flexible ways to volunteer, because you don’t need to be somewhere at a set time. The amount of time each foster pet requires will depend on the specific needs of each animal. An adult, low-energy animal may require little time. A pet with socialization or behavior needs may require extra attention. You can indicate your preferences in the application, and we will do our best to match the pet to your preferences.
Q. Can I foster if I already have pets?
Yes! You are the best judge of your pets’ personalities. For the safety of your pets and the foster animal, it’s important to keep your pets up-to-date on vaccinations. In some cases, the foster pet will need to be isolated from your own pets, either temporarily or throughout the foster period. We do require that foster cats not be left alone with your own dogs. Otherwise, you and your Pawster Nashville representative can decide together what’s best in each case.
Q. What’s the minimum age to foster?
The primary applicant must be 18 years or older, but in many cases children make some of the best foster parents to cats and dogs!
Q. Can I adopt the pet I am fostering?
Pawster Nashville does not foster to adopt. Our goal is to reunite every foster pet with its original owner, as soon as the owner is back on their feet. If an owner ultimately decides to surrender their pet, it may be re-homed, but this is a last resort. We want to help owners keep their pets. This is not only for the good of the pet, but also because so many pet owners benefit from companion animals.
Q. What if something changes and I am unable to continue fostering the pet?
If for any reason you are no longer able to keep your foster pet, please contact Pawster Nashville, and we will arrange to have the pet placed in a new foster home. You will not be required to continue fostering any pet if you are unable to do so or your circumstances change.
Q. What do I do when it’s time to say goodbye?
It’s hard to give up an animal you have fostered. With Pawster Nashville, however, you can take comfort knowing that your foster pet is returning to their forever home, which is ultimately what’s best for both the pet and their owner. You have helped both through a difficult time, and you may very well have saved the life of the pet in the process.
Foster Resources
Foster Basics
Safely Approaching Cats and Dogs
Behavior Training
Intro to Positive Reinforcement
The power of cookies! (from Fear Free Pets)
Dog training tips and tricks (from Agape Rescue – check out all their resources here!)
Four-on-the-floor Leashing (from ASPCA)
Loose-leash walking (from ASPCA)
Advance your foster knowledge!
Become a Fear Free Happy Home (from Fear Free Pets)
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