I've fostered for many years, and I have never heard of a fostering license for anything other than wildlife. Maybe it's a local thing? I can't think of any advantages (or disadvantages, for that matter). I guess I don't really understand. :) Can you provide some more information? It sounds interesting.

It was mentioned by the person that runs the rescue. They would pay the fee of $25 for me and then I would be actually licensed for foster care. I did do some initial google searchs for Illinois/my local area. Found some information, so it could be a local thingy. Either way, I'm still going to do care for babies mostly. See to have a nact for the very neglected. Quess I like the late night feedings, getting medication all over myself, cleaning up little messes, proper useage of your little toe nails, training, etc.

I had done fostering for a number of years and the only "disadvantage" so to speak, was giving them up...Even knowing the babies were going to a great forever home, my heart just broke..When my last 2 were ready for adoption, I figured I'd had enough, kept both of them and although I quit, I really do support this kind of project and I help out in other ways....It's too bad more people don't give alittle of their time...Bless you for being so caring.....

Yes, it is hard to give them up. I'm glad I have a majority of the say in the adoption and get that support from the rescue. It all started with a ginger cat in the back yard on a snowy cold day. Everybody was full or just couldn't take him, the last phone I made said they would sponsor him if I was willing to foster. So, here I am and he has the most wonderful home and humans to take care of. I've turned down potential adopters, given advice, taken in a cat returned after 2 years, nursed a kitten bunch/litter back from the dead, make house visits during the trial period, give a baby book/diary/care package/toys/extra equipment to adopters, etc. I do not handle the paperwork, a rescue person goes with me to the adoptees home and does this with them. We never go alone. I just want to give them the chance they deserve. Believe me, I'd keep them all if I could. I do love the little bit of time we have together and can only hope things turn out for the best in their life time.

The license definately sounds like something local. Each state handles rescues differently, some are licensed other states don't have anything like that.

I've fostered a few dogs in the past and may do so again. My house is a little difficult as my female is a little picky about other dogs and on of my senior cats is having some health issues. I haven't had any problems yet with seeing my fosters go to new homes, but I must meet the applicants, do the home visit and see the dog in their new home. Those are my requirements. I love getting photos and updates about prior fosters.

Rescues can't exist without foster homes, so kudos to you for fostering.

Your organization sounds so much like our's...My daughter always teased, saying it was easier trying to adopt a child than to get a cat/kitten from our group...But you do have to be careful, not everyone makes a good furbaby parent....

Basically from some research on my own, I can only have so many foster animals at a time. The usual, provide clean living conditions, food, water, vet care, etc. Which is all fine with me, just wondering if anyone else has this. What I should do, not do, the usual. I love all of my furbabys. Try to do as much as I can without taking away from the dog and two cats of my own. My husband and kids just role their eyes, "how long is this one going to stay?". Then I catch them petting or playing with them, or whatever. I did have to draw the line when I found out the dog was dragging the kittens around with thier head in his mouth! He cleaned, played and baby set them, great dog. I am getting a 2-3 year old kitty that is a "return" of 1 1/2 year adoption. Another foster mom held onto her for me until I got back and settled from out of state. She said all this cat does is sit in corner all day and tremble or hide. I got a feeling some thing bad has happened to this one. This has been going on for about an month. Will let you know what we find out from the vet visit and when I get her home. Poor babies...

It appears to be an Illinois requirement -

(225 ILCS 605/3.2)
Sec. 3.2. Foster homes. A person shall not operate a foster home without first obtaining a permit from the animal shelter for which that person will operate the foster home. Upon application and payment of the required fees by the animal shelter, the Department shall issue foster home permits to the animal shelter. The animal shelter shall be responsible for the records and have all the obligations of stewardship for animals in the foster homes to which it issues permits.
Foster homes shall provide the care for animals required by this Act and shall report any deviation that might affect the status of the license or permit to the animal shelter.
A foster home shall not care for more than 4 animals at any one time. "

pmkgero1, it definately sounds like something went really wrong with that adoption for the cat to be acting like that for a month. I hope you can get her back around again.

Every foster home needs to know their limitations, both their personal limitations and those required by law. My town has a 3 dog limit, but I know my dog is so needy that I can only take on one foster dog at a time. Anything more than that stretches me too far between my job and taking care of the house, my dog and cats and my other rescue activities. Some people can handle more, but the more fosters and pets that are taken on, I feel the quality of care drops.

I fostered 16 dogs this past year for a local rescue, and one did end up staying --- the others found great homes. It is hard to give them up, but if you have the right mindset about it, it ends up being ok - you meet so many people who love animals and I'm always surprised but it's inevitable that even those hard to place dogs suddenly find the right family who comes along. The hardest thing I've had to deal with is potty training - my house isn't set up well for gating and we've had our carpets cleaned too many times to count...Good luck, and bless you for doing this! There are never enough fosters out there for the demand, unfortunately-

LOL, I gave up on the carpets. Between the 2 puppies I fostered and the adult who had never lived inside before my home, my area rugs never recovered. I bought 2 rolls of vinyl flooring and cut it to act like area rugs over the hardwood floor in the family room. After the last fosters I had were adopted, I bought some nice outdoor area rugs and those are doing real well in the family room. I should be able to drag them out on the deck in the spring and hose them down.