Quick Links: Foster Program | Foster FAQs | Adoption Program | TNR Program | Clinic Program
Foster Program
The Central Oklahoma Humane Society relies on foster homes to house and provide temporary care for the dogs and cats in our adoption program. A foster home/foster parent is an individual, couple or family who provides temporary care, shelter and love for an OK Humane animal(s) while it is waiting to be adopted. Foster homes are an absolutely vital part of saving the lives of animals in Oklahoma City; the more foster homes we have, the more animals we can save: it's as simple as that!
The majority of the animals in our adoption program come from the Oklahoma City Animal Shelter. Often these animals are healthy and ready to be spayed or neutered and vaccinated, and they can go right into an Adoption Outreach. Some of these animals might only be in foster care for one or two weeks before they find a permanent home.
Other animals come to us who are too young for adoption, or have an illness or injury that requires some longer TLC. In those cases, you may have an animal in your care for several months before it is ready for adoption. We also frequently have mother cats or dogs with litters of puppies or kittens, sometimes as young as a few days old! With infants, foster homes are critical because it allows them to grow stronger in a safe and healthy environment. Once the babies are old enough for spay/neuter surgery, then they can go to adoption outreaches as well.
As a foster home for the Central Oklahoma Humane Society, you always have a choice in what animal(s) you foster. Every situation is different; you must consider the other people and animals in your home, how often and how long you are away from home, what kind of time commitment you can make, etc. The foster parent application will help you think about some of those considerations. Some people like to start out small, with maybe one adult cat; others like to jump in head first with a mother nursing 8 puppies! Whether you are a "cat person" or "dog person," whether you like bottle feeding kittens, big dogs, sick dogs or needy cats, there are animals that fit your capacity.
All new foster parents must go through a foster orientation class. At this class we will answer all your questions. We are always here for your support. OK Humane provides all necessary veterinary care for your foster animal, as well as dry food. Another part of your responsibility as a foster parent is to bring the animal to our adoption outreaches, which are held every Saturday at a different Petsmart around the OKC Metro area (see the outreach schedule).
Our success hinges on your success as a foster, and the animals are much more likely to find new homes if they are happy and well-adjusted in their foster homes. Fostering is a critical part of Oklahoma City achieving No-Kill status by 2012. We need your help!
Call us for more information or fill out a foster application today.
Frequently asked questions
How long will I foster the dog/cat?
It depends on how long it takes the animal to be adopted. As stated above, some animals are ready to go into adoption immediately; some need longer periods of TLC.
What if my foster animal gets sick?
This will be covered at our foster orientation. In the event of a true emergency, we have several authorized veterinarians who can see your foster animal. For minor illnesses, vaccinations and other routine veterinary needs, you can bring the animal to the Central Oklahoma Humane Society Clinic. There is never a charge to you, the foster, for veterinary care for your animal.
Will you provide crates or cages, litter boxes, toys, etc.?
In some cases we may be able to loan you a wire crate or other supplies. It depends on what is in use and what we have available. We do provide food for our foster animals through the Hills Nutrition Partner program, but generally foster parents are expected to care for the animal as they do their own pets—which includes providing a place to sleep, toys to play with, bowls, baths, etc.
What if I take in a foster, but it doesn't work out? If it doesn't get along with my pets or something like that?
We are always here to help. It may take us a day or two, but we'll find another place for that animal. We will never leave you out to dry!
How do the animals get adopted? Do I choose who adopts the animal?
Anyone who wants to adopt a Central Oklahoma Humane Society animal must first fill out an application. We use this as a tool to determine whether that particular home is a good fit for that particular pet. We do have certain adoption criteria, but each application is considered on a case-by-case basis. We encourage our foster parents to speak to interested adopters; after all, no one knows the animal better than its foster parent. However, some fosters don't feel comfortable doing that, and that's fine.
Most adoptions take place at our adoption outreaches at PetSmart stores in the OKC Metro area. Foster parents bring the animals to these locations each Saturday. In 2008 we will be opening up a full-time adoption center that will be staffed by adoption counselors six days a week; fosters will drop off their animals each morning to be seen and adopted by the public at this facility.
What if I need a break, or go on vacation?
We have "relief foster" homes set up for this situation. In fact, you might want to volunteer to be a "relief foster" yourself.
Adoption Program
One of the Central Oklahoma Humane Society's five key components to achieving no-kill status in Oklahoma City is our Adoption Program. We transfer animals from the Oklahoma City Animal Shelter, provide all necessary veterinary treatment (including spay/neuter surgery on all animals, deworming and age-appropriate vaccinations) and place them in foster homes. The animals then attend adoption events at local PetSmart stores and other venues, until they find permanent homes.
People find out about our adoptable animals in a variety of ways. All our animals are listed on www.okhumane.org with photos and descriptions; many people come to outreaches looking for an animal they have seen online. Other times, an adopter meets the animal for the first time at an adoption outreach.
The first step if you want to adopt an animal is to fill out an application. This helps our Adoption Counselors ensure the animal you've chosen is a good fit for you, your home, your family and your lifestyle. If the application is approved, in most cases you can take the animal home with you that day.
Our adoption fee for cats and kittens is $70. For dogs, adoption fees range from $100 to $150. For cats and dogs, the fee includes spay/neuter surgery, age-appropriate vaccinations, disease testing (and treatment, if necessary) as well as preventive medications.
In order to complete an adoption after the application has been approved there is additional necessary paperwork. You will need to fill out a Central Oklahoma Humane Society adoption agreement. This is a legally binding document that details the contract between you and the Central Oklahoma Humane Society and what you are legally obligated to provide for the animal, and what we ask you to do as the pet's new owner. By signing this document you are agreeing to the terms of the agreement.
An Adoption Counselor will help you through the paperwork process and explain the adoption agreement to you. Our Adoption Counselors and Volunteers can answer any questions you might have. A volunteer with our Adoption Follow-up Program will also call you a couple of weeks after the adoption to make sure everything is going well and see if you have any questions.
What if it doesn't work out?
Although people adopt our animals with the full intention of providing them with lifelong homes, sometimes "life happens" and people find themselves unable to keep the pet they've adopted. As is stated in the Adoption Agreement, if at any time circumstances arise where the adoption is not working out, then the adopted animal is to be returned to the Central Oklahoma Humane Society.
Foster-to-Adopt
You might see an animal on our web site or at an outreach, but you aren't 100% sure that this is "the one" that you are ready to commit to for the next 15 years of your life! Our foster-to-adopt program may be what you're looking for.
The process is the same as for an adoption, except with a trial period. You do all the regular adoption paperwork, pay the adoption fee, and we hold the fee for a week. At the end of the week, we'll be in touch to see if you've decided to keep the animal. If so, we'll process your adoption fee and the adoption becomes official and permanent. If you have decided that this isn't the right animal for you, then you return the animal to our next outreach and we return your money. An Adoption Counselor will always be willing to help find the best animal for your lifestyle.
If you just aren't sure you're ready to adopt, then we have the perfect solution for you…be a foster home! You'll directly be saving lives by helping us transfer more animals from the shelter, and you'll get to have a steady stream of interesting new animals in your home! If this sounds like something that interests you, check out our fostering program information.
If you have any questions about our adoption program, please call us at 405-286-1503 or email us at adoptions@okhumane.org. We also always need volunteers at our adoption events!
Trap-Neuter-Return
1st Year Goal of 1000 Met in 9 Months!
The Central Oklahoma Humane Society is launching an aggressive Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program to help bring Oklahoma City feral cat populations under control.
You can assist OHS in helping stray and feral cats live healthier lives through
contributions to be used in direct care efforts for cats. Your generosity will fund
vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries, and food supplies while helping provide humane care for the cats and advancing the achievement of a "No-Kill" city.
Donations may be mailed to:
Central Oklahoma Humane Society • 9300 N. May Ave., Suite 400-281
Oklahoma City, OK 73120
Central Oklahoma Humane Society TNR
The Central Oklahoma Humane Society is partnering with the Oklahoma City Animal Welfare Division in order to provide a structured TNR program for Oklahoma City.
This Trap-Neuter-Return program is a comprehensive plan where entire feral colonies are humanely trapped, then evaluated, vaccinated, and neutered. Kittens and cats that are tame enough will be placed up for adoption; otherwise adult cats are returned to their familiar habitat to live out their lives under the observant care of Colony Manager Volunteers.
Background
TNR evolved from nonlethal control programs practiced for decades in the United Kingdom, other parts of Europe, and Africa. In the United States, TNR is practiced by thousands of individuals and hundreds of groups, with the help of sympathetic veterinarians and clinics. TNR is endorsed by numerous institutions and organizations, including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Best Friends Animal Society, Cat Fancier's Association, Cornell and Tufts Universities' Schools of Veterinary Medicine, Doris Day Animal League, the Humane Society of the United States, San Francisco SPCA, and SPAY/USA.
Goals
- To change the way feral cats are routinely treated
- To recognize their right to live and their niche in the environment
- To improve the quality of their lives through spay/neuter
- To humanely, nonlethally, and substantially reduce their numbers
Clinic Program
The Central Oklahoma Humane Society opened its first Spay/Neuter Clinic in the southeast Oklahoma City in December of 2007 and is currently serving animal welfare organizations, animals up for adoption through OK Humane, OK Humane's Trap-Neuter-Return program and is feral cat friendly for anyone. Clinics are held several days a week and currently approximately 100 animals are spayed/neutered each week.
Beyond the numerous health benefits for animals having been spayed or neutered, OK Humane firmly believes that spay/neuter is key in responsible pet ownership and in addition to humane education, adoptions and Trap-Neuter-Return will help Oklahoma City achieve No-Kill status for healthy adoptable animals.
OK Humane has just received full funding for our second Spay/Neuter Clinic from an anonymous donor and has plans to open the doors to the public in Fall 2008 - please stay tuned for more details!
