Equine Foster

What do Equine Foster Homes Do?

Foster homes allow us to rescue homeless horses from a variety of situations by providing these animals with temporary care and shelter until they are adopted. Foster homes are asked to provide foster animals with plenty of love, adequate food and water, shelter from the elements, and exercise. Administering medication may also be necessary. In addition to providing the basics, foster homes may also be asked to transport foster horses to veterinary appointments or schedule on site farm calls at their home or facility, and assist with adoption events. Depending on the individual agreement with each foster home, you will likely be reimbursed for supplies, such as food, hay, supplements, barn maintenance costs, and for any veterinary costs incurred in the care of the animal.

Foster homes play a crucial role in rehabilitating rescued animals. They are in a unique position to help abused or neglected animals learn how to love and trust again. Foster homes can help these animals become more “adoptable” by providing socialization and basic to advanced training. By teaching or re-teaching a horse how to trust and behave, foster homes help increase the odds for a smooth and successful transition into a permanent adoptive home.

What do foster homes do?

Any way you look at it, foster homes save lives.

What are the requirements for becoming an Equine foster home?

We are always looking for more foster homes.  We follow standard AAEP Guidelines for the space needed per equine for proper exercise, stimulation, and health.  A Noah’s Ark Society foster facility must have a minimum of 5 acres of land, and can have no more than 1 equine per 2 acres.  Additional general requirements are that you love animals and have the time and resources to provide a foster equine with adequate care.  We require all equine foster homes that are new to horses to attend a basic horsemanship class, and may set up supplemental training with our rescue trainer so proper handling techniques can be assured.  Fencing must be a minimum of 4 feet high, and can not have more than 1 strand of barbed wire. Other requirements will vary depending upon the specific needs of a given foster equine. Some animals, for example, will need a dedicated stall, dry, lot or an extra time commitments (as is the case with an emaciated or sick equine), isolation from other equidae, etc. We make every effort to match foster homes with an appropriate foster animal.

How Long Do Animals Spend in Foster Care?

The time an animal needs to spend in foster care ranges from one night to several months. Any time commitment a foster home can make is desperately needed and appreciated.   At Noah’s Ark Society we have various classifications for equine foster homes as follows:

Emergency/Weekend:  Will foster an animal for 1 day to a week in order to help in a crisis or save an animal from euthanasia

Vacation: Will visit an existing foster farm daily to care for an animal for 1 week up to a maximum of 3 weeks while a standard foster family is on vacation, travelling, or needs a respite.

Standard:  Accepts a foster equine from the time it enters foster till the time it is adopted.

Sanctuary: Accepts a special needs foster equine with the understanding that the foster animal may live in the foster home for the duration of its natural life.  Sanctuary foster placement is common for senior animals over the age of 25 or those with health issues such as Navicular disease, heaves, etc.

Maternity: Foster home for a pregnant animal.  This type of foster home assists with foaling under the direction of a rescue veterinarian, and fosters mom and foal until the baby is weaned and adopted.  Noah’s Ark Society does not believe in early weaning, and feels that under normal circumstances, foals should wean naturally at 4 to 6 months of age.

Orphan:  An orphan foster home accepts orphaned infants and will bottle feed and provide all care until the babies are mature enough to go to new homes.  We acknowledge that with equidae this is a phenomenal task that requires unique and special dedication.

Stallion: Many times the equidae we receive through neglect cases are still intact studs.  It is our policy to geld stallions and jacks as soon as they are healthy enough.  A stallion foster home is able to accept these intact males, keep them separated from females, and each other if needed until they can be gelded, and pastured long enough for their fertility to be gone.

Any foster home can be a mix of the classifications listed above.  In all cases, foster homes are never stuck with an animal that is not a good fit.  We will find an alternative foster placement.

How Do Foster Animals Find Permanent Adoptive Homes?

We take full responsibility for finding permanent adoptive homes for foster animals. Foster homes are encouraged to let people know that their foster animals are available for adoption, but any person interested in adopting an animal needs to contact Noah’s Ark Society in order to proceed with completing the adoption application procedure.

Noah’s Ark Society shows off our non-equine animals at offsite adoption venues around the areas where are foster animals are clustered, usually on weekends, at least once a month.  We bring flyers to advertise the equidae in our care to these events.  Occasionally we have an adoption event where our foster equidae are able to attend as well.  Foster homes are encouraged to come to our adoption events in order to provide information to potential adopters. Adoptions are handled on a case-by-case basis and every effort is made to match animals with homes that meet their specific needs. Foster homes can help immensely in this process by providing information regarding an animal’s personality, training, time requirements and other needs. Any input given by a foster home is appreciated and taken into consideration during the adoption process.

Foster homes have first right of refusal on adoption.  This means that if you fall in love with your foster equine, you can adopt.  You are not required to allow another adopter to take your foster animal.

Questions?

To learn more about fostering or to ask us any questions you might have, please feel free to email us at: foster@noahsarksociety.org.