Whether it's because you're not sure if you want to commit to looking after a pet for the duration of its life, you want to do some form of charity work or you just love animals, fostering animals with the RSPCA is a good way to go.
The RSPCA puts it this way: "The purpose of foster care is to place into temporary care those animals who are not suitable to be housed in the shelter environment, whether they are too young or small to be eligible for adoption, are recovering from illness or surgery, or have behavioural reasons such as being timid or not coping at the shelter."
The animals live in your house as a pet for about five weeks and when they're old enough, are returned to the RSPCA for adoption. The RSPCA provides the food (and for cats, kitty litter) and all you need to do is give the animals a good home and some good loving. Easy.
The hardest part comes when you have to say goodbye after they've become a part of your life for over a month. Of course, you have the option of adopting your foster animal, but if you do that for every animal you foster . . .
You have to pick your foster animal up and drop them back when they're old enough (so having a car is probably a good idea). You may have to take your foster animal back to the RSPCA for vet checks, deworming sessions etc every fortnight as well. Small price to pay really, for the pleasure of having a pet in your home.
Please note that to become a foster carer, you must first join the RSPCA as a member, attend an information session (two-hour or so, usually on a Saturday) and have a premise inspection done. The premise inspection is conducted by an RSPCA employee who will make an appointment with you for it to be done. They're basically checking to ensure that the animals will be secure in your home, that they can't escape via the windows or jump off the balcony into oblivion etc.
Cost: FREE
Enquiries: Email Hannah Burfitt, RSPCA NSW Foster Care coordinator.
Map:
RSPCA Yagoona Shelter
201 Rookwood Road, Yagoona
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