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Love pets but not ready to commit to one for life? Check out how you can be a foster carer, instead – and help out an animal in need.

At AWL NSW, we don’t just have pets for adoption – we have them available to foster, too. Of course, the end goal is always to find the pet an appropriate forever home.

Why foster?

There are so many benefits of fostering. Many animals struggle in a shelter, regardless of how nice their surroundings are. At the end of the day, a home is a much nicer environment for any animal: quieter, safer, and much more relaxing.

Fostering helps animals:

  • Have a break from the shelter
  • Learn new routines and how to be in a home environment
  • Relax and get rid of stress and adrenaline
  • Provide a safe place for cats and dogs to give birth to or care for their litter

The length of time for fostering varies based on the animal, the reason for foster care and how long it takes for the animal to be adopted.

Kittens will generally stay in foster care for 2-8 weeks (until they reach 1kg), medium to large dogs and cats usually stay in foster care for about 1-2 months.

To become a foster carer, you need to:

  • Have your own car and driver’s licence.
  • Live within a 70-minute drive of one of our branches or our Kemps Creek shelter.
  • Have the time to provide training / hands-on attention to a foster animal
  • Have previous animal experience
  • Have space in your home for a foster animal (a spare room for cat/kitten carers)
  • Be willing to foster a medium to large dog, cat or litter of kittens.
  • Be ready to foster now
  • Be able to supply a litter tray, food/water bowls, toys and bedding.

Your home can be a (secure) house or apartment – dogs have different exercising needs and as long as they can go outside for toileting and walks, apartments are fine!

Need more info? Check out our fostering FAQs here

Or read a story about Luna, a very special foster dog, here

If you have any question or would like more information, please email fostercare@awlnsw.com.au

Still have questions? Can’t find what you’re looking for? Get in touch today!

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