P.O. Box 813, Seguin, TX 78156
ph: (830) 401-0280
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foster an animal

SARA's foster care program
SARA Sanctuary is currently recruiting volunteers to act as foster "parents" to pets from our sanctuary. These animals are either too young, need further socialization, or have a treatable illness requiring special attention which prevents them from being adoptable candidates at the time. They are, however, excellent pets which the sanctuary staff feel have an excellent chance for adoption once they are older, or healthy again.

Need is especially great during the spring kitten/puppy season, when pregnant cats and dogs are brought to our facility. Foster parents provide a safe environment for these animals to mature, become more socialized or heal from an illness.

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent or have questions regarding the program please feel free to contact us at 830-401-0280 or send in an email inquiry.

Below are the most commonly asked questions regarding becoming a foster parent.

why does the sanctuary have a foster program?
SARA developed the Foster Care Program to increase chances that animals which come to our sanctuary will either return to a loving home or eventually find a loving home. Our goal is to adopt out as many healthy animals from the sanctuary as we can. Also, our foster program enables us to take in more needy animals, particularly those that are suffering from abusive situations, starvation or neglect. Also, it is our hope, that a foster network will increase the chances of our most adoptable animals being seen by a wider community.

Many of the animals found by sanctuary staff or left tied to our gate are not adoptable when they first arrive. If they are too young for adoption or are sick, The Foster program moves these animals out to foster care providers, on a temporary basis, who care for the animal until such time as it can be socialized properly or heal from an injury or illness. Once the animal is suitable for adoption, every effort will be made to promote the animal (on our website, in our newsletters, and at adoption events).

who can foster an animal?
Anyone can foster an animal if they meet the required parameters as specified in our foster application (available in the "related downloads" section of this page). We require that you know how to properly care for the animal(s) placed in your charge.

what are the foster parents' responsibilities?
SARA Sanctuary expects all animals held in foster homes will be welcomed as a member of the family. Foster care givers must be able to provide a clean safe environment in which to care for the animal to prevent injury and spread of disease. Food, cat litter, flea control, and any medication not provided by the sanctuary are the financial responsibility of the foster parent, as we do not have the funding to provide these supplies.

In the event that the animal in your foster care becomes ill, informational support is available through the Sanctuary. If, however, emergency care is required, it is the foster care provider's responsibility to coordinate and pay for these services. Hopefully, if proper guidelines are followed regarding the care of animals, the need for such care will not be necessary.

if I want to place my foster animal myself, how do I do it?
If the foster care family prefers and with agreement from Tracy Frank or another SARA representative acting on her behalf, they may choose to adopt the animal out to a good home of their choosing. We ask that the potential adopters fill out an adoption application just as we require from any adopter going through the Sanctuary staff. We keep the record on file, and this ensures that we can track the animal's placement. We request, however, that you not charge anyone a fee for this adoption as it is a private placement rather than one through our sanctuary. Please note: NO foster animal may EVER be sold. NO foster animal may ever be adopted out of the foster home WITHOUT permission from SARA Sanctuary.

what if I decide to adopt the animal myself?

We welcome and encourage foster parents to adopt an animal if the situation is appropriate. We do not expect this, but are happy to see our animals placed in loving homes and foster parents are some of the best resources because they come to know the animal's personality traits, quirks and habits. Again, we simply request that the foster parent fill out an adoption application on the animal for our records.

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related downloads

Foster Program Application (pdf) 128 kb

Foster Program Application (doc) 419 kb

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