Here are some suggestions and resources for finding help with short-term care for your pets. 

General, non-emergency situations:

If at-home care is an option, you might want to consider pet-sitting services, which are now available in many cities and provide an excellent alternative to boarding your pets. To locate pet sitting services in your area, go to the following websites:

·         National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS): www.petsitters.org

·         Pet Sitters International (PSI): www.petsit.com

·         PetSit USA:  http://www.petsitusa.com

Here are some places to learn more about what to look for in a pet sitter and how to prepare to leave your pet in a pet sitter’s care:

·         Information for Pet Owners from the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters

·         Pet Sitter Interview from Pet Sitters International

·         What to Look for in a Pet Sitter from Pet Sit USA

Temporary Foster Care for Emergency Situations, Ill or Disabled Pet Owners:

If you need someone to care for your pet because you are ill, injured, and/or facing hospitalization, being deployed or moving, one option is to ask for help from your family, friends or other support systems you have in place, such as your church, senior center, social groups to which you belong, etc.  If no one in your personal network can help, here are some websites that list organizations that may be able to help:

·         Pets are Wonderful Support is a national coalition of PAWS and related organizations that provide services to ailing pet owners by caring for their pets.  This website provides a list of local groups by state.

·         FosterDogs.com also provides a list of organizations that assist elderly, ill or disabled pet owners and others in keeping their pets.

Other Resources:

·         The online Best Friends Network has a place where you can post a request for help along with a pictures.  Here’s how:

1.     Go to the Network home page at http://network.bestfriends.org and log in.  If you are not already a member of the Best Friends Network, click “Sign Up” and follow the prompts to create your User ID and password.  Membership is free.

2.     Once you are logged in, click on the “Go Local” on the top of the page.  When you see the map, click on your state or city.

3.     Once you are on the Go Local page, click on the small orange tab “Forums.” 

4.     Click on the icon for “New Topic” and follow the prompts.

• There are many other resources on line.  For example, some rescue organizations may be able to help you with short-term pet care.  To find out which groups are in your community, search www.petfinder.com or www.pets911.com; statewide listings for animal organizations can be found on www.worldanimal.net.

• You can find local listings of breed rescue groups by performing an internet search on a search engine such as www.google.com, www.yahoo.com. Here’s a sample search combination: Siamese+breed rescue+Montana.

• Yahoo! Groups is also a powerful resource for finding people who share your interests and may provide a networking opportunity for finding short-term care for your pet.

·         You can create a "Foster Me" flyer using the flyer maker program on www.petbond.com. This easy to use program allows you to upload a photo of your pet and a description of why your pet needs fostering.

·         You may also want to consider purchasing liability insurance to protect you and the caregiver in the event your pet injures someone while out of your care. Consult your insurance agent for advice on this subject.  To learn more, see “How to Find Dog-Friendly Insurance Companies” on the Best Friends Network.

·         Another thing you may also want to consider is to purchase health insurance for your pet. To find out if this option is right for your pets, read “Health Insurance for Pets” on the Best Friends Network. 

·         Finally, if you have not had your pet spayed or neutered, we strongly encourage you do to so before you place your pet in foster care. Spaying or neutering your pet will ensure that he or she does not reproduce while in temporary care, and will lessen some of the behavior issues that un-altered pets often display – such as spraying and fighting in male cats, and escapist behavior in dogs.  To download a copy of Best Friends’ brochure on spay-neuter, click here.

·         One last word of advice: Please screen any possible foster home for your pet very carefully. We strongly recommend doing a home check prior to placing your pet in a foster home that is not overseen by an organization.  Click here for home check guidelines for cats.  Click here for home check guidelines for dogs.