Hello colleagues,
I'm reaching out on behalf of Sierra Overlook Animal Rescue (SOAR), a rural sanctuary-based nonprofit in Northern California. Our organization specializes in caring for animals who are often overlooked in traditional adoption pathways - seniors, special needs animals, those with behavioral challenges, and individuals considered "unadoptable" for other reasons.
We've successfully coordinated a handful of short-term foster placements in the past, typically for emergency or brief transitional situations. However, we've found it significantly more challenging to recruit and retain longer-term foster caregivers who can provide the stability these higher-needs animals truly benefit from. We know these placements can be more demanding, and we want to ensure we're building a foster program that is both supportive for caregivers and sustainable for the animals.
For those of you who have developed strong foster networks - especially for medically or behaviorally complex animals - we would love to learn from your experience:
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What strategies have helped you successfully recruit fosters for higher-needs animals?
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What supports or incentives have made fosters more willing to take on complex cases?
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How do you structure training, mentorship, or backup support to prevent burnout?
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Are there messaging approaches that have helped reframe fostering these animals as rewarding rather than intimidating?
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What systems or program elements made the biggest difference in growing your foster base?
We are deeply committed to creating a foster program that sets both animals and caregivers up for success, and we would truly value any insights, lessons learned, or resources you'd be willing to share.
Thank you in advance for your guidance and for the work you each do to support animals in need.
#FosterPrograms------------------------------
Kimberly Nnowalue
Founder & Executive Director
Sierra Overlook Animal Rescue
CA
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