April 23 to April 29, 2006 is National Volunteer Week

The staff at the Mississauga Animal Services would like to thank all our dedicated volunteers and foster parents.  Without their help the shelter would be over run with pregnant cats, and dogs that needed to be walked more then once a day.

Currently the shelter is unable to take anymore volunteers for dog walking or cat grooming, but we are in desperate need of foster homes for the pregnant animals that need a quieter environment. 

If you can become a foster parent please contact the shelter at 905-896-5864 and ask to speak to our coordinator, or by email at  pet.adoption@mississauga.ca

Foster Care Program
Our foster care program is designed to accommodate stray cats and dogs who are expecting or who may already have a litter of babies. We are always looking for temporary homes and volunteers who can look after these animals until the babies are weaned. Foster care can be rewarding and is a wonderful option for those who cannot own an animal full time. For more information please contact our office at 905-896-5864.

The Goals of the Foster Program

To provide temporary care for an animal which is not yet ready for adoption.
To monitor an animal to determine its health status.
To obtain information about its behaviour and personality.
To protect the animal from risk of disease that maybe present in the shelter. (Especially puppies and kittens)
To provide socialization and training, in the case of a dog, to enhance their life experience.
To provide security and confidence to an animal that may have a fairly long-term recovery period.

How do I become a Foster Parent?

Becoming a Foster Parent is very simple. First, an application form must be filled out. The form can be obtained at the Shelter. The application form is used to locate an appropriate home for the animal. The information may be general, but necessary. The application makes us aware of who is caring for the animal, how often someone is home, if there are other pets in the household and of course, the Foster parents' preferences. It is important to list what you would or would not foster.
The next step to the process is the Home Inspection. Once the application is complete, an Animal Services Officer will contact you to set up an appointment for the home inspection. The Home inspection involves the Officer observing where the animals will be kept, going over the guidelines of the Program and answering any questions that you may have.
Once this is complete, your name will be added to the Foster Parent list according to your preferences. Once an animal becomes available, you will be contacted by the Shelter. If you are available at that time, arrangements will be made to drop off the animal and supplies to your home. If you cannot take the animal at the time of the call, then your name will return to the list for the next time.

Responsibilities of a Foster Home
Risk Factor:
The majority of animals coming into Mississauga Animal Services Shelter are strays and therefore we do not have any history. It must be acknowledged that these animals may have behaviour abnormalities and can definitely pose a potential health risk to other animals of the same species. Therefore:

No interaction should be allowed between your animals and the foster animals. This is for your pets safety. Ideally, the foster animal should be kept in an isolated area.
All supplies for the foster animal should be exclusively used with that animal. Avoid contact between your pet and these items, i.e. litter pan, food bowls, bedding.
All foster cats must remain indoors. All foster dogs must be walked on leash. The backyard must be fully fenced and secure to prevent escape.
All interaction with children must be supervised by an adult. We do not have any history on the personality of the animal.
All bites or scratches must be reported to the Animal Services Centre. This is a legal requirement from the Health Department, and is for your safety.

Finding a New Home:
You are not required to find the animal a new home. All foster animals are placed for adoption through our Shelter adoption process. The information that you provide us upon the animal's return will assist us in a successful adoption. However, if you have a person that is seriously interested in adopting the animal, please refer them to the adoption staff. The animal can only be adopted though the Shelter.

Financial/Legal Responsibilities:
While the animal is in your care, the animal is legally the property of the Animal Services Centre.  We will provide you with the necessary supplies, i.e. food, bowls, bedding etc. If you choose to use items other than what has been supplied, then you do so at your own cost.   If a foster animal becomes ill, you must contact the Shelter to determine the medical attention required. If your own pet becomes ill with something they may have been transmitted from the foster animal, you are responsible for covering that cost. When you agree to take an animal from the program, you also agree to assume that risk. Any concerns about your pet should be discussed with your veterinarian.
If the animal becomes ill and you choose to have the animal seen by a veterinarian without contacting the Shelter, you will then be financially responsible for any costs incurred.
In the event of an emergency, contact the Shelter and have the dispatcher contact one of the Animal Services Officers. They can help determine if the animal requires medical attention.
The contact numbers are: Shelter 905-896-5864, Dispatch 905-896-5858, After-Hours Dispatch 905-615-3000.

Foster Parent Program Statistics

2001 was again a busy year for the Foster Care program. Currently we have 49 Foster Parent volunteers and have fostered a total of 293 animals.We are always in the need for more Foster parents.
Cats and Kittens Placed into Foster Care:
Surgery recovery and sick cats: 1 cat, 1 mom cat and 4 babies
Mothers and Kittens: 37 litters, 186 cats total
Orphaned Kittens: 38 sets of kittens, 97 total
Dogs and Puppies Placed into Foster Care:
Surgery recovery and sick dogs: 1
Puppies: 2
Socializing adults: 1


2000 was a fairly busy year for the Foster Care program. Currently we have 36 Foster Parent volunteers. There is always room for more.
Cats and Kittens Placed into Foster Care:
Surgery recovery and sick cats: 3
Mothers and Kittens: 27 litters, 130 cats total
Orphaned Kittens: 60 total
Dogs and Puppies Placed into Foster Care:
Surgery recovery and sick dogs: 1
Puppies: 1

In Conclusion:

Fostering can be an extremely enjoyable experience. We have wonderful success in adopting foster animals because these animals are socialized to a family situation which is where they will spend the rest of their lives. It only takes a few minutes to become a part of this rewarding program.