Animal Welfare Professionals

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Hello all!

Our team runs a large scale foster program and we are exploring the idea of a 'final day' for animals with medical that will need to end in humane euthanasia.  We plan to use handpicked, experienced fosters to avoid some of the pitfalls involved with an effort like this.  Does anyone know or participate in an existing program like this?  I need to get some real life examples and knowledge on this program's effect to move forward, and I'd love to hear what people think about the idea.

Stay safe!

#FosterPrograms

I love that your organization is looking at a "final day" foster program.  At June's Senior Cat Rescue we have a "final day" program, but we call it our Forever Foster program.  Through this program we cover all medical costs for the cats for the remainder of their lives, however long that is. It's been a great program that has allowed us to help more cats than we would otherwise be able to.  It's also given us a few amazingly dedicated volunteers.  Publicly, this program also generates a lot of support.  People want to support programs that help the most vulnerable (aged, sick), and get really attached to their stories.  

From a foster standpoint, some tips are:

1. Allow fosters to be part of the medical discussions and treatment.  They might bring positive options to the table.  For example, they might want to cover the costs of laser treatments for arthritis or give supplements.  Fundraising can be done for things like this also.  As long as it's discussed and deemed medically safe, it can help to know they've given them the best they could.
2. Allow fosters to be present during the euthanasia, if they wish to.  This helps the animal feel more comfortable and helps with closure for the fosters.  
3. If they want them, allow fosters to get pawprints, hair clippings, ashes, etc. from their fosters, just like you would get at a veterinary office. This also helps with comfort and closure for the fosters.
4. Be aware that sometimes fosters might want more time with their animal.  There is a balance that has to be managed there between allowing the foster time to say goodbye and ensuring the animal isn't suffering.  This can be tricky, and there might be cases where a decision needs to be made for the animal, even if the foster isn't ready.  Communication about the animal's wellbeing here is of the utmost importance.
5. The fosters will need support and compassion through their loss.  Something as simple as a sympathy card can make a big difference.
6. Celebrate and highlight the good in these efforts!  This is huge.  Even though the animal passes, it is still a happy ending (just like adoptions).  Yes, it is heartbreaking, BUT the animal knew love, safety, warmth, joy, and that is the happy ending.  Hospice fosters make an enormous difference, remind them of that.  Share the stories of it internally and externally.

I hope this helps some!  If you have specific questions about our program, please feel free to reach out.

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Sarah Beans
Development Director
June's Senior Cat Rescue
NM
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-11-2025 04:33 PM
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: End of Life Short Term Foster Programs

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Hello all!

Our team runs a large scale foster program and we are exploring the idea of a 'final day' for animals with medical that will need to end in humane euthanasia.  We plan to use handpicked, experienced fosters to avoid some of the pitfalls involved with an effort like this.  Does anyone know or participate in an existing program like this?  I need to get some real life examples and knowledge on this program's effect to move forward, and I'd love to hear what people think about the idea.

Stay safe!

#FosterPrograms

I am really happy that you are looking into starting a program like this. There is a significant need for more "fospice" homes and programs. I now run my own cat rescue, but previously I fostered for another shelter for several years. They did not have a program like yours, and as the person who regularly fostered all of the complex cases, I became the fospice home for several fosters. Here are things that I wish had happened:

1. I wanted to be a part of deciding when it was time to euthanize. The shelter would not allow this to happen, so I ended up adopting a couple of the cats so that I could make the decision for them. I should also note that this was not in an effort to extend their lives. This was in an effort to end their suffering. In 2 instances, the animals in my care were truly suffering, but the shelter that I worked with wanted me to wait to euthanize when the vet would be in (several days later as the vet was only there once a week).
2. I wanted the euthanasia to happen at my home. I know that this might not be possible, but several animals that I fostered at the end of their lives had spent a significant amount of time in the shelter setting and were scared going back to it. It was important to me that these animals were given the send off that they deserved in a place that was comfortable to them.
3. I think getting to have ashes, a pawprint, or some kind of keepsake would have been really nice. 
4. Acknowledgment in the form of a card or something from the shelter would have meant a lot. I know that we all have a lot going on in rescue, but losing animals is really hard. There were several times that I wanted to be done fostering, and I think some thoughtfulness from the shelter would have gone a long way.

I hope this helps in some way! Good luck!

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Paige Sveda
Executive Director
Clover's Cat Club
IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-11-2025 04:33 PM
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: End of Life Short Term Foster Programs

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Hello all!

Our team runs a large scale foster program and we are exploring the idea of a 'final day' for animals with medical that will need to end in humane euthanasia.  We plan to use handpicked, experienced fosters to avoid some of the pitfalls involved with an effort like this.  Does anyone know or participate in an existing program like this?  I need to get some real life examples and knowledge on this program's effect to move forward, and I'd love to hear what people think about the idea.

Stay safe!

#FosterPrograms

We don't have a Final Day program but we have had a few animals that we have sent out to fospice. Our medical team and fosters usually decide together when the time is right to help the animal pass. We give them the option to receive the ashes back and we send out a sympathy card signed by the staff. 

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Erin Robinson
Foster Coordinator
Licking County Humane Society
OH
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-11-2025 04:33 PM
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: End of Life Short Term Foster Programs

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Hello all!

Our team runs a large scale foster program and we are exploring the idea of a 'final day' for animals with medical that will need to end in humane euthanasia.  We plan to use handpicked, experienced fosters to avoid some of the pitfalls involved with an effort like this.  Does anyone know or participate in an existing program like this?  I need to get some real life examples and knowledge on this program's effect to move forward, and I'd love to hear what people think about the idea.

Stay safe!

#FosterPrograms