For most people the term "foster" usually means a temporary placement for an animal while they are waiting for an adoptive home.  The foster home is usually a great alternative to allow the animal to be available for adoption yet keeps them out of the Shelter environment.  However, for Mission Valley Animal Shelter, "Foster Care" has been changed to an innovative and extremely effective means of adoption placement. Unique and beneficial is what we are striving for.

For us the foster program has proved to be an effective program to find out if the animal and potential adoptor are meant for each other.  Here at MVAS we define the foster program in this way:

The foster program is a "try it out and see if it will work" approach.  The potential adoptor/foster people complete an Adoption Application form for the particular animal they are interested in.  If approved the Adoption Fee is paid  as a deposit on the animal.  The foster care family signs a "Foster Care Agreement" which allows them to take the animal home and "baby-sit."  While in foster care the animal continues to be under Mission Valley Animal Shelters obligations.  You can "foster" the animal for 1 day, 1 week, or up to 2 weeks, however long you feel comfortable with the animal.  If, during this trial period, you decide this isn't the right placement, you can bring the animal back to the animal shelter and receive your adoption fee back, maybe try another animal.  If all goes well--as we always hope--then you sign an "Adoption Agreement", and the animal becomes yours.  Great huh?!!

We have found this program to not only be unusual but to be a big hit with everyone.  Sometimes when you adopt there is a certain period of fear:  "What if things don't work out, what if it just isn't right, what if the animal has behaviors nobody knew about, etc."  Offering this Foster Program usually puts adoptors at ease, reassuring them that if it doesn't work out there will be no condemnation but also that they have the option of bringing the animal back without fear of finding an "alternative" home for it.  If the animal is returned to the shelter, it is placed back up for adoption and another home is then sought for it.

Sounds great doesn't it?  This gives you an opportunity to find out if the match is as ideal as we always hope it is.  The animal gets to try out a new home and you get to try out a new animal.  When evaluating strays, there are always behaviors we can not observe in a shelter environment but which you can in a home.  We encourage foster care prior to adoption for those that are unsure if this is what they want in their lives, or if this is an unsure decision.