Can I choose which animals I want to foster? Expand Our primary concern is to place animals who need foster care in the most suitable home that can provide for their needs. There are times when the animals available may not suit your home or lifestyle. If you apply to foster and there are no animals who match, your details will be kept on our foster database for future reference. You can browse a list of the animals who currently require foster care, including their specific needs, here. Your application will be assessed and if you're a suitable match, the Foster Care team will be in touch.
How long do I have to foster for? Expand The length of foster care arrangements varies depending on the needs of each animal. We offer short, medium and long-term foster care arrangements. Short term care is suitable for animals who are experiencing stress in the kennel environment and may benefit from foster care for a few weeks until they can be rehomed. Medium term care is suitable for kittens and puppies, who will generally be in a foster home for around eight weeks, until they can be weaned and sterilised, ready for rehoming. Long term care is needed for animals in the Pets in Crisis Program, who require temporary care for up to three months, until their owners can find safe accommodation. Animals in protective custody may be require foster care for two years or more. You will be able to take time off for holidays, etc. while you foster. The Foster Care team will be able to make other arrangements with ample notice.
What happens if I need to take time off while fostering? Expand If you are going away or need to take time off from foster care, you can liaise with the foster care team who will be able to make suitable arrangements for the period you are away. We require at least two weeks’ notice for short-term absences, or four weeks’ notice if you are going to be away for longer than two weeks.
How much does it cost to be a foster carer? Expand RSPCA WA provides you with everything you need to be a foster carer, including food, medications, bowls, bedding, blankets, toys, leads, collars, behaviour training and general support. All you provide is the safe, secure home environment where the animal can recover and thrive.
Why do I need my own transport? Expand Foster carers are required to collect animals from the RSPCA Animal Care Centre, and bring them back for regular medical check-ups and behaviour assessments. Since animals are not permitted on public transport, you will need your own transport to convey animals between your home and the RSPCA Animal Care Centre in Malaga. Medical appointments for foster animals are scheduled between set times on weekdays: Monday 1.30pm-3.00pm Tuesday 9.00am-11.00am Wednesday 1.30pm-3.00pm Thursday 1.30pm-3.00pm Friday 9.00am-11.00am Medical appointments or behaviour assessments are not available over weekends.
How often will I need to bring the animal back to the RSPCA for check-ups? Expand Shelter animals will need to be brought back to the RSPCA Animal Care Centre in Malaga for regular medical checks and behaviour assessments. The frequency will depend on each animal, but generally either every two weeks in the beginning, or at least once a month. Medical appointments for foster animals are scheduled between set times on weekdays: Monday 1.30pm-3.00pm Tuesday 9.00am-11.00am Wednesday 1.30pm-3.00pm Thursday 1.30pm-3.00pm Friday 9.00am-11.00am Medical appointments or behaviour assessments are not available over weekends. Animals in the Pets in Crisis Program are not treated at RSPCA WA’s vet clinic and generally do not require scheduled medical check-ups. If a Pets in Crisis animal requires emergency vet treatment, foster carers are required to take them to their nearest Vetwest Animal Hospital for treatment. Vetwest will invoice RSPCA WA for these services.
Do you do home inspections? Expand During the application process to become a foster carer, you will be asked to provide photographs of your property (indoors and outdoors) to demonstrate that you have a suitable safe, secure place to care for the animal. This is adequate for most foster care scenarios, however we may need to conduct a home inspection for special cases, depending on an animal’s needs.
I don't live in Perth. Can I still foster? Expand Most of the animals in RSPCA’s care are based at the Animal Care Centre in Malaga. Foster carers are required to bring animals in for regular medical checks and behaviour assessments, so foster care is only available in the Perth and Peel regions. Regional RSPCA WA inspectors based in Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, the South West and the Great Southern regions may require local emergency or short-term volunteers to help care for rescued animals prior to those animals being transferred to the Animal Care Centre in Malaga. If you are interested in becoming part of these local networks, please make a note in your application and the foster care team will forward your details to the local Inspector.
Why are there so many restrictions on the types of homes required for foster care? Expand Most of the animals in RSPCA WA’s care, and especially those who require foster care, have been neglected and mistreated before they were rescued. As a result, they are not socialised and require training to get used to being around and interacting with people and other pets. Many of the animals either do not get along with other animals, are fearful of adults or children (or people in general) or are undergoing some sort of behavioural or medical treatment. This may reduce your suitability to foster these animals. Other animals who are suffering from stress or anxiety require quiet, calm homes where they can feel safe while they get used to being around people. For these animals, young children are generally not suitable.