What does it mean to foster an animal?

Fostering gives an adoptable senior pet a safe, loving home while they wait for adoption, helping them avoid an overcrowded open-admission shelter. Foster families provide the same day-to-day care they would for their own pets.​

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What's included with fostering for City of Elderly Love?

We cover all necessary veterinary care through our network of Philadelphia-area veterinary partners. We work with trusted veterinary partners across Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, and Chester Counties, as well as South Jersey. We also offer behavior and training support, adoption marketing, and, when needed, supplies like food, toys, bedding, and crates.​

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How long will I have the animal?

Every pet is different, so foster stays vary based on their needs and how quickly they're adopted. Many senior pets arrive needing thorough veterinary care before they're ready for adoption, so some may be with their foster families for just a few weeks, while others may stay for several months. Throughout their time in foster care, our team actively promotes each pet and works to find the best possible forever home.

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How do I find the animal a forever home?

We market pets through adoption websites and encourage foster families to share them on social media and attend our adoption events. While not a requirement to foster, we do rely on our foster parents to provide regular photos and videos of their fosters. The more exposure a pet gets, the better their chances of finding a forever home.​

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Can I foster if I have children or other pets at home?

Absolutely! We do our best to match animals' personalities and behavioral/medical needs with a home that's a good fit for both the foster pet and your family. We advocate for slow introductions for all new pets to ensure everyone's safety and to 

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Are there any breeds of dogs or cats that City of Elderly Love won't help?

No. We believe every animal deserves a chance and focus on matching pets with homes based on personality, not breed. We will take breed-specific traits into consideration while matching an animal with their foster and forever families.

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How do I get started?

Simple! Proceed to the Online Foster Care Application at the link above. A City of Elderly Love representative will reach out once your application has been reviewed. Have additional questions about fostering a senior? Email info@cityofelderlylove.org.