About Beacon 

We are a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing domestic animals that are about to be euthanized in shelters, giving them the care they need, and finding homes for them. We spay and neuter, vaccinate, heartworm test dogs, Feline Leukemia and Feline Aids test, and deworm. If you live in our area we would love for you to foster a dog or cat, volunteer to care for the animals, or help in fundraising. We are in need of volunteers to help us care for the animals and give them lots of love and attention. PLEASE CONTACT US!!

Foster Home Program

Part of our mission is our foster home care program.  We often receive animals that can not be adopted into permanent homes for various reasons.  Some may be too young, sick, injured or just in need of some additional training.  These animals need more space and attention than our facilities can often provide.  The foster home program sometimes allows for these special animals to find permanent, loving homes.  Foster homes also serve as better options for animals that can be rehabilitated.  However, foster home programs are NOT designed to allow for the "trying out" of animals for adoption. 

Foster home volunteers provide important care to animals in need.     

Still interested??? 

If you think you would like to provide a foster home for animals in need here's some information you need to know.   

How much time and effort will this be??

Our shelter manager selects animals for foster care for many reasons.  Some may be too young to be placed for adoption and need a little socialization first.   Or, an animal may have an injury or an illness that would benefit from a time of foster home care.  Others may be malnourished from previous neglect. 

What do you need to do?

Your duties will be similar to those of a parent and could take anywhere from one to several hours a day of your heartfelt time and effort.  You will need to provide a safe and workable environment in your home for the foster animal(s).  Also needed will be food and/or medications and/or other treatments that we have prescribed.   Directions will be sent home with you and you will be expected to follow the provided routine.  Your foster pet will need adequate time each day for socialization, play and exercise.  You may also need to bring the animals into the shelter for regular checkups.   The length of foster care varies with each case.    If the animal(s) develop any symptoms while in your care you will need to bring them in for a checkup to make sure no further treatment is needed.   Any animal in a foster home for 3 months will automatically be re-evaluated.

You will also need to let us know if you have other animals in your home.  You should ensure that your own animals are current on their vaccinations.  If not, you will need to get up to date before fostering any animals.  You should also consider that your pet may become jealous of the other animals you foster, vying for your attention.  This could result in some changes in your pets behavior, such as eating habits, acting out, mood swings, etc.  You know your pet best and are therefore best equipped to decide if fostering is for you!

Let's Prepare Your Home

Since you've decided to be a foster care provider, we need to make your home suitable for your visitors.  You will need to create an enclosed space in your home.  Perhaps you have a room you can set aside for this purpose OR can secure an appropriately sized cage for fostering.  Preparing ahead helps to protect your home from unnecessary damage.  It also makes a safe barrier between your foster animals and your own. 

The cage or crate must be large enough to allow the dog to lie down or to stand comfortably.  Obviously you will want to allow the animal to spend a good deal of time outside the cage and under your supervision.  Keep the crate located in a high traffic area of your home so the animal can feel part of the family. 

A playpen is helpful if you are fostering puppies.   Puppies sleep a lot so they can be situated away from a high-traffic area.  Make sure the floor is suitable for messes - because there will be a lot of them!  Confinement of the puppies ensures their own safety and your peace of mind.  If you foster a mother dog and her puppies, it is VERY important to keep your own animals away.

Cats and kittens also need a controlled environment. Stressed cats can find inaccessible places to hide.  Limit their access to closets and basements.  Kittens will need some guidance when learning to use the litter box properly.  Line the area around the litter box with newspaper to allow for easy clean up.  Kittens get frisky so take care to protect your valuable items when fostering.  "Pet proof" your home for the animals safety as well. 

Commonly recommended foster care items:

All medications and special foods are supplied by Beacon.   Stores for purchasing other supplies are listed at the end of this guide. 

If you or someone else is bitten by a foster animal you MUST report this to the shelter manager immediately.  We will then re-evaluate and determine if the animal should return to the shelter for quarantine, and/or euthanasia. 

Ring ring....

When you are called for a foster care opportunity you can always decline.  However, please make your decision quickly so we can find another replacement.  Thanks!

 A medical program will be given to you, if applicable, when you pick up the animal(s).  The medications will also be provided.  You will also receive any specific instructions concerning care and feeding at that time.  Be sure to ask any questions and be diligent in following the guidelines.  You will be required to sign a Foster Care Agreement before leaving and will need a transport cage. 

Advise children and visitors to your home that you have visitors.  Do not allow the new pets to be overwhelmed.  Allow for an extended period of adjustment.  Don't forget to pay attention to your own pets needs as well.

FOOD guidelines

Unless you have been given other directions by the shelter manager, here is a general guide for feeding. 

Dogs one year of age or older are fed dry food in the adult formulas, 2x a day.  Cats at this same age level can be fed feline dry food maintenance formulas with supplemental canned food 2x a day. 

Always provide plenty of fresh cool water to your animals. 

Underweight dogs will come with special instructions for NOT over feeding, as they need more frequent but SMALLER portions. 

Puppies can be given small amounts of food mixed with warm water 4x a day.  As they age you may begin to decrease the food.  Kittens can be given supplemental canned food 3x a day. 

Brands:  Purina and Pedigree are good choices for dogs and are available in both adult and puppy formulas.  Kal-Kan, Whiskas and Friskies are good options for cats.  Kittens can have "Kitten Chow."  Make dietary changes gradually. 

Cats may need some canned food to encourage their appetites.  Do NOT give cats and kittens milk, as they cannot properly digest it. 

It's Playtime!

Your foster care animals NEED to play with you.  This is called "socialization" and is often the main reason for foster care.  To have a future successful adoption these animals need to become comfortable with people. 

Be gentle, affectionate and fun!  Do NOT allow or encourage bad behavior.  Have acceptable toys available for your foster pets.  Be sure to supervise any children that are interacting with the animals so that neither gets hurt. 

Vaccination Schedules

The shelter will have all vaccination records and will ask you to return for any future boosters OR routine tests.  Please keep your dates for follow-ups! 

Sickness

If you see signs of illness in your foster pets please contact the shelter manager for futher instruction immediately. 

After investigation the shelter will advise you and the appropriate medication will be issued, along with instructions. 

If the animal is found to have a more seriouse contagious ailment the foster home will be placed on a quarantine period of 1 - 3 months before another animal can be placed in the home. 

There are various types of parasites that may produce symptoms such as itching, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.  If necessary the shelter may need to examine a stool sample to determine the treatment.  Again, you will be given medication and treatment procedures to follow. 

Since many illnesses can be transmitted to humans we encourage you to always wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap after handling the animals.  Also, keep your own animals separated from your foster care animals if there is sickness.  A sanitizing solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water should be routinely used on floor surfaces, cages and litter boxes.  Rinse with clear water before animals are returned.  Animal bedding should be washed often since mites can live in them for quite some time.  Additionally, always isolate ringworm cases. 

Helping a future adoption to happen

We've asked a LOT of you and we need to ask for one more thing!  Please take photos of your foster pet.  We will use a few of these photos to encourage a future adoption.  If you are willing to write a brief story about your experience with your foster animal that would be helpful.  Any insight you can give into the animals personality makes it more adoptable.  Make it personal!!

Thank you

Thank you for all your efforts AND congratulations!!  If your foster pets adoption goes wrong we may contact you again to continue a foster arrangement. 

We know fostering animals is a challenging adventure but it's likely you may miss your special animals.  Please know that you HAVE made a difference and we appreciate ALL your efforts! 

Local Pet Stores 

PetSmart Mays Landing 677-1620

Pet Pros in Somers Point 927-3232

Thank you!