Lifestyle Seniors Fostering Pets 9/24/2024 | By Kari Smith Fostering pets in need of temporary homes can be a fulfilling experience for anyone. Seniors fostering pets can be a match made in pooch or kitty heaven! Here’s why. Pets sometimes need a short-term home, such as if a family must surrender a pet or a lost pet’s owners can’t be located. Shelters can take in such animals, but their first step is putting the pet in a cage, necessarily separated from other animals. But a second step, before the pet finds a forever home, is putting it in a foster home. A foster home gives the animal a break from the more stressful shelter environment. It can provide it with socialization and love. Fostering is advantageous for the pet parents, too, offering the companionship of a pet without the financial burden or long-term commitment. The foster pet system also frees up shelter space so that organizations can care for a larger number of animals. Six advantages of seniors fostering pets Senior adults fostering pets have advantages in providing temporary homes for these animals in need. 1. More free time Many older adults are retired, giving them the flexibility to dedicate their time to caring for a foster dog. This allows them to offer regular walks, attention, and playtime, which is especially important for dogs that need more interaction or are recovering from medical procedures. 2. Calm, stable environment Seniors often live in quieter households, free from the noise of young children or the hustle and bustle of multiple pets. This calm environment is ideal for fostering dogs, particularly those who are anxious or recovering and need a peaceful place to heal. 3. Flexible schedules Without the demands of full-time work or raising a family, seniors can adjust their routines around the needs of their foster pets. Whether it’s adhering to feeding schedules, taking dogs to medical appointments, or providing extended walks, seniors can be highly responsive to a dog’s needs. 4. Experience and patience Many seniors have years of experience with pets, which gives them the skills and patience needed to care for animals. This makes them particularly suited to handle pets with challenging behaviors or those needing extra nurturing. 5. Companionship For seniors who live alone, fostering offers companionship without the long-term financial or emotional responsibilities of pet ownership. This temporary arrangement keeps seniors active and engaged, providing mutual benefits for both the foster pet and the caregiver. 6. Sense of purpose Fostering offers seniors a chance to give back to their community by helping animals in need. It can bring a strong sense of fulfillment, knowing they are making a difference in a dog’s life, even if only for a short time. Related: Benefits to older adults of having a pet Rescue shelters and foster organizations throughout the country have programs for seniors fostering pets. In Central Virginia, for example, people interested in fostering can start by visiting the Richmond SPCA Foster Care Program. The potential pet parent completes a short online registration form so the SPCA can learn more about each applicant’s household, pet experience, and fostering expectations. From there, individuals can choose from various training sessions, including online courses for fostering adult dogs, cats, kittens, or puppies. According to Tabitha Treloar, director of communications at the Richmond SPCA, some of their best dog fosters are senior adults who have embraced fostering as part of their retirement. She explains that many retirees are drawn to the opportunity to provide temporary homes for animals in need, particularly dogs. Senior fosters offer invaluable care for dogs who need a break from the stressful shelter environment. Dogs recovering from medical procedures especially benefit from the peaceful, quiet homes that seniors can provide. In the past year, the Richmond SPCA placed 1,032 pets into foster care with the help of 301 foster providers – 191 of whom were first-time fosters. While the spring and summer months often focus on placing infant kittens due to seasonal breeding, the fall sees a shift in focus toward placing more adult pets, including dogs, into foster homes. For many seniors fostering pet, the rewards are many. Retirees who may hesitate to adopt a pet due to financial concerns or the desire to maintain flexibility find that fostering provides the companionship of an animal without long-term commitment or expense. This balance allows seniors to stay active, enjoy the companionship of a pet, and contribute to their community. If you are a senior or retiree looking for a meaningful way to spend your time and enjoy the companionship of a dog, consider fostering. You’ll provide a dog in need with a loving temporary home while enriching your own life with purpose and joy. Read More Kari Smith Kari Smith is a frequent contributor to Seniors Guide, helping to keep those in the senior industry informed and up-to-date. She's a Virginia native whose love of writing began as a songwriter recording her own music. In addition to teaching music and performing in the Richmond area, Kari also enjoys riding horses and farming.