Foster Caregiver Information Packet

Thank you for opening your home to a foster pet. Foster homes give animals a safe, temporary place to rest, recover, grow, learn, and prepare for adoption.

This article explains what to expect when you take a pet home, how to care for the animal, when to contact Sumter County Animal Services (SCAS), and what responsibilities come with fostering.

What Is Fostering?

Fostering is a temporary care arrangement for an animal in the custody of Sumter County Animal Services.

Animals may enter foster care for several reasons, including:

• Medical recovery or observation
• Heartworm treatment support
• Underage puppies or kittens that need time to grow
• Behavioral decompression away from the shelter
• Shelter capacity support
• Foster-to-adopt placement when approved
• Stray hold fostering when permitted by staff
• Brief enrichment outings, such as doggy field trips, doggy days out, or pack walks

Unless and until an adoption is finalized, foster animals remain the property of Sumter County Animal Services. Foster caregivers may not sell, give away, transfer, rehome, board, or place the foster animal with another person, business, or organization.

Foster Caregiver Responsibilities

Foster caregivers are expected to follow all instructions provided by Sumter County Animal Services staff, supervisors, and veterinary personnel.

Foster caregivers are responsible for providing:

• Clean, safe, and adequate shelter
• Fresh water at all times
• Appropriate food as instructed by Animal Services
• A calm, secure environment
• Daily monitoring of appetite, behavior, bathroom habits, and overall condition
• Transportation to required appointments
• Communication with Animal Services staff
• Reasonable availability for adoption interest, photos, adoption appointments, field trips, or events when requested

Before You Leave the Shelter

Before taking a foster animal home, confirm that you understand:

• The animal's name and ID number
• Species, age, sex, and foster status
• Feeding instructions
• Medication instructions, if applicable
• Activity restrictions
• Known medical or behavior concerns
• Required follow-up appointments
• Emergency contact instructions
• Supplies provided by Animal Services
• Any special handling, confinement, separation, or short-term outing instructions

If anything is unclear, ask before leaving the shelter.

Setting Up at Home

Prepare a quiet, secure space before bringing the animal home. A separate room, crate, pen, bathroom, spare bedroom, or other controlled area may help the foster pet settle safely.

Recommended setup:

• Food and water bowls
• Washable bedding or towels
• Litter box for cats or kittens
• Crate or secure confinement area for dogs when appropriate
• Toys or enrichment items approved for the animal
• Cleaning supplies
• Trash bags and paper towels
• Leash and collar or harness for dogs
• Separate space away from resident pets at first

Give the animal time to decompress. Some pets adjust quickly, while others may need several days or longer to feel comfortable.

The First 24 to 72 Hours

The first few days are important. Keep the routine simple and calm.

What to do:

• Keep introductions slow
• Limit visitors
• Keep dogs leashed outside and supervised
• Keep cats and kittens indoors only
• Feed according to shelter instructions
• Monitor eating, drinking, urination, bowel movements, coughing, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea, itching, limping, or unusual behavior
• Allow rest and quiet time

What to avoid:

• Do not take the foster animal to dog parks
• Do not allow off-leash activity in unsecured areas
• Do not introduce the foster animal to resident pets without guidance
• Do not allow unsupervised interaction with children or other animals
• Do not bathe, groom, medicate, or treat the animal unless instructed
• Do not take the animal to an outside veterinarian or boarding facility unless specifically authorized by Sumter County Animal Services

Short-Term Foster Activities

Some foster opportunities involve taking a dog out of the shelter for a brief period rather than providing overnight care. These outings help dogs decompress, get enrichment, practice real-world skills, and give Animal Services helpful information about the dog's personality outside the shelter.

Short-term foster activities may include:

• Doggy field trips
• Doggy days out
• Pack walks
• Approved quiet time away from the shelter

These outings should be low-stress, safe, and appropriate for the individual dog. Foster caregivers should follow all instructions provided by Animal Services staff, including approved locations, time limits, handling guidance, and restrictions.

Safety Rules for Short-Term Outings

When taking a dog on a short-term outing:

• Keep the dog on leash at all times unless specifically instructed otherwise by Animal Services
• Use only approved collars, harnesses, leashes, crates, or seatbelt restraints
• Do not visit dog parks, off-leash areas, crowded events, or unsafe public spaces
• Do not allow the dog to meet unfamiliar dogs, cats, livestock, or other animals unless approved
• Do not allow unsupervised contact with children or members of the public
• Do not feed unfamiliar treats, table scraps, or food unless provided or approved
• Avoid hot pavement, extreme heat, storms, and unsafe weather conditions
• Keep outings calm and positive
• Return the dog by the agreed time
• Report any concerns, incidents, medical issues, escape attempts, bite or scratch incidents, or behavior concerns to Animal Services

What to Report After an Outing

After a short-term outing, share helpful observations with Animal Services, such as:

• How the dog entered and exited the kennel
• Car ride behavior
• Leash manners
• Reactions to people, dogs, traffic, noises, and new environments
• Energy level
• House manners if the dog visited a home
• Potty behavior
• Favorite activities
• Signs of fear, stress, reactivity, discomfort, or illness
• Photos or videos that may help promote the dog for adoption

Even a few hours away from the shelter can make a meaningful difference for a shelter dog.

Daily Care and Communication

Daily routines help foster pets feel secure and help staff understand how the animal is doing.

Please monitor:

• Appetite and water intake
• Bathroom habits
• Energy level
• Sleep routine
• Comfort in the home
• Interactions with people or other approved animals
• Training progress
• Signs of stress
• Medical concerns

Contact Animal Services promptly for illness, injury, escape, bite or scratch incidents, urgent behavior concerns, missed appointments, supply needs, or adoption interest.

Medical Care and Appointments

Foster animals must return for scheduled appointments and follow-up care requested by staff. This may include:

• Veterinary rechecks
• Vaccines
• Surgery appointments
• Spay or neuter appointments
• Prevention care
• Weight checks
• Adoption appointments
• Foster reviews
• Other follow-up requested by Animal Services

Do not take a foster animal to an outside veterinarian, groomer, boarding facility, or other provider unless specifically authorized by Sumter County Animal Services.

Adoption Support

Foster caregivers can help animals find permanent homes by sharing clear, truthful information about the animal.

Helpful adoption support may include:

• Clear photos
• Short videos
• Personality notes
• Favorite activities
• Daily routines
• Observations about behavior in the home

Please keep observations accurate and report both strengths and concerns. This helps staff make appropriate adoption matches.

Contact Animal Services Immediately

Contact Sumter County Animal Services immediately if:

• The animal is lost
• The animal injures a person or another animal
• The animal is not eating or drinking
• The animal has vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, limping, difficulty breathing, weakness, pain, or unusual lethargy
• There are urgent puppy or kitten concerns
• You cannot safely keep the animal
• You miss or cannot attend a required appointment
• You need supplies or have questions about care instructions

Contact Information

Sumter County Animal Services

Closing Reminder

Fostering saves lives and gives animals a better chance at successful placement. Your observations, patience, and care are an important part of each animal's pathway.

Thank you for supporting Sumter County Animal Services and the animals in our care.