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FOSTERING FAQ- click here
FOSTERING FAQ- click here
FOSTERING FAQ
Q: How long does fostering last? A: Fostering lasts as long as you desire, with our current minimum being 3 weeks for emergency fosters. Generally, fosters can keep rabbits for 12-16 weeks minimum. We prefer to find fosters who can keep a rabbit until they are adopted, but this isn't something that is doable often.
Q: What if there's vet bills or emergencies? A: Avalon will cover all necessary vet bills throughout foster term
Q: What if I go on vacation, do I return my foster? A: We appreciate when fosters are able to hire a pet sitter if they go on vacation. Rabbits need to be checked on at least once a day, preferably twice by a trusted sitter. If you are unable to arrange a sitter, we will do our best to find one for you. We try to keep bunnies from sporadically coming back into the shelter for short periods of time. The goal is to treat them like a member of your family while they stay with you.
Q: What do I feed my foster? A: Avalon will provide starter timothy, oat, or orchard hay and oxbow pellets (adult or juvenile formula depending on the bunny). Hay is 90 percent of their diet, which is good to keep in mind for those with grass allergies to see if you are sensitive before fostering. We elect for fosters NOT to feed fruit while fostering to try and minimize the risk for GI upset. Select treats and certain vegetables and herbs in moderation can be approved.
Q: Can I foster if I have dogs or cats? A: Yes, most of our buns are completely fine with dogs or cats. It's important to make sure any other animals in your house have a low prey drive prior to introducing a bunny. We will help match the right bunny into your home.
Q: Can I foster before adopting to make sure the bunny fits into our home well? Yes, if you are interested in fostering to adopt, please also submit an adoption application so you can be pre-approved before fostering a bunny. Reduced adoption fees apply to people who foster to adopt. Go to the adopt tab to do this!
Q: How old do you need to be to foster? A: We require a responsible adult over 18 to be the primary guardian of any Avalon animals in your care. Kiddos are welcome to help out, but the bunny must be under supervision of an adult at all times to ensure proper feeding, cage cleaning, and health of the bunny.
Q: Can a foster bunny play outside? A: They can play outside if they are up to date on their RHD vaccine series, if they enjoy it (some are more afraid when outside, and if they are completely enclosed in a pen and supervised at all times. We do not allow free roaming of yards, even if they are fenced. Any bunny playing outside must be in an exercise pen as well to prevent a possible escape.
Fosters Needed - no prior experience required
Fostering Saves Lives!
Fostering Saves Lives!
Do you have space in your home to welcome a bunny in need? Avalon Microsanctuary provides all necessary start up supplies for foster care, which includes a 4x4 exercise pen or large indoor setup, with flooring, potty box, and starter supplies. We also pay for approved medical expenses such as RHDV2 vaccinations, neuters, and general grooming if needed.
Fosters have the ability to designate their timeline, with an emergency option available if you are only able to foster for days or even weeks at a time in the most dire of circumstances.
Typically, bunnies stay with their fosters for between 2-6 months. We work individually with fosters to coordinate a timeline that works for everyone. It is in the bunny's best interest to stay with their foster until they are placed in their forever homes.
Which bunnies need foster care?
Almost any of our "Adoptable" buns are eligible for foster care. For the sake of providing as much stability as possible for the bunnies, we find it best to place the youngest buns (those who are awaiting spay/neuter when they are old enough) or the newest arrivals (those towards the bottom of our "Adoptables" page with loving fosters.
Things to Note...
Things to Note...
- While we love to have fosters close to our home base in Portland, Oregon, we utilize fosters nearly anwhere in Oregon and Washington.
- We will not foster out sick or contagious animals.
- We provide a 4' x 4' indoor setup with flooring, but food, treats and toys are typically expected to be covered by the foster once provided starter food is finished. We use Oxbow pellets only & unlimited Timothy Hay
- We ask that fosters have adequate transportation available at their disposal for emergencies.
- Avalon Microsanctuary fosters out buns in large indoor setups only, for health and safety reasons.
- Fosters are expected to give their buns lots of nose boops!
- A quiet, undisturbed area of your home is best to house your foster bunny.
- Bunnies do well with other animals in the house, as long as those animals do not have a high prey drive. In a multi-species household, the bunny is almost always in charge :)
- Avalon Microsanctuary requests a pickup window notice of at least one week beforehand in case of a sudden need to withdraw from fostering.
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