The Estevan Humane Society, along with long-term foster caregivers, recently held a presentation for community members interested in fostering animals. The event highlighted the challenges and rewards of fostering, as well as the urgent need for more foster families, particularly during kitten season.
Fostering animals is a rewarding experience that gives abandoned or mistreated pets a second chance. It provides them with safety, love, and socialization while helping them transition to permanent homes. But fostering is not always easy—it requires patience, emotional strength, and an understanding of the challenges that come with caring for animals in need.
Local animal rescues are calling for more foster families as shelters struggle to meet demand. Tierra Carpenter, foster coordinator for the Humane Society, said that while many people sign up to foster, few actually take in animals due to feeling overwhelmed.
"We have about 47 members in our group, but only 10 to 15 of them are actually active fosters," Carpenter said.
She explained that having a larger pool of fosters is crucial since not everyone can foster all the time. "People have kids in sports, they go away for the summer, or sometimes they just need a break. The more fosters we have, the more we can help spread the responsibility."
Many foster animals come from difficult situations and need time to adjust. A quiet, low-stress environment helps them decompress, and trust should be built at their own pace. Forcing interactions too soon can do more harm than good, so it’s important to let the animal decide when they feel comfortable. If there are other pets in the home, slow introductions help ensure a smooth transition. Separating a new foster animal at first can also prevent the spread of illnesses, as many rescues arrive with medical concerns ranging from minor infections to more serious conditions.
Fostering also comes with financial and emotional demands. Vet visits, food, and unexpected medical treatments can add up. While many organizations provide support, caregivers often invest more than they anticipated. But the biggest strain isn’t always financial—it’s emotional.
Fostering can be emotionally challenging, with caregivers investing significant time and effort into animals they eventually have to say goodbye to. The process can take a toll, leading to compassion fatigue—a form of burnout common among those in caregiving roles.
"The success seeing them off to their homes, knowing where they came from and where we started and then seeing them happy, healthy and stable, and going to a loving home," said Carpenter. "Honestly, the goodbye is the most bittersweet because you're so happy, but you're also so sad."
Setting boundaries is crucial to avoid burnout. Recognizing when to say no is an important step in sustainable fostering. No one person can save every animal, and pushing beyond personal limits leads to emotional exhaustion. Seeking support from fellow fosters, friends, or professionals can help caregivers process the emotional weight of their work and continue making a difference.
"Just don't overthink it. I think a lot of people get overwhelmed, like they do it and they're going to be ambitious and they kind of get overwhelmed with the idea of it or they think that they need some fancy setup to be successful, but you don't. Mentorship, a private Facebook community, and staff support are also available to help new fosters navigate the process.
Those interested in fostering can reach out via Facebook or at ehs@hotmail.com.