Thank you for stepping up and for your willingness to help save an animal in need!

We are always happy to welcome new fosters, as you directly impact our ability to save animals. We would LOVE to have you join our awesome foster crew, so please fill out the questionnaire bellow.

It will help us understand more about you, what kind of temporary home you can provide, duration of fostering, as well as your level of knowledge, and comfort with companion animals.

 

 

FOSTERING WITH EMPTY CAGES COLLECTIVE

 

WHAT WE EXPECT:

1.  Duration of fostering- We ask for a minimum of two months fostering commitment, but ideally, a foster parent will keep an animal until their adoption. The adoption process varies for each animal, so it is virtually impossible to even guess the time. Sometimes it's only a matter of days, sometimes it's a few months. If we feel that a certain animal isn't getting much attention, we will do a push via our social media and try our hardest to make the adoption happen as soon as possible.
2. Daily supplies- As a foster parent, you will be responsible for providing rat/mice blocks (to be available throughout the day), two meals a day, and bedding. Unfortunately, our shoestring budget doesn't make it possible for us to cover these daily expenses long term, but we would be able to set you up for the first few weeks with everything aside from fresh meals. We are a 501(c)(3) non profit, all-volunteer organization. We rely solely on the generosity of people like you to continue our work to rescue, rehabilitate, place, advocate for and assist animals in New York City and beyond.
3. Adopter visits- You are expected to open your home for at least one hour visit to a potential adopter. Once we have an approved adopter, and only when approved, we will put the adopter in contact with you, so they can visit your home, meet the animal(s) you are fostering, and let us know if they are committing to the adoption. An ECC adoption coordinator will also be present for the time of the visit, making sure the adoptive family gets an orientation on handling, diet, housing and overall care. If the family is committed to the adoption, ECC will organize drop off at the new home at a later date after one of our adoption coordinators conducts a Skype or FaceTime home visit, making sure the adoptive family is well prepared with the needed supplies and enclosure. Because animals in foster homes are more relaxed, and can be observed/played with in a familiar settings, people get a really good feel on them, and adoptions happen almost always upon concluding the first visit. It will be highly unlikely that you will need to meet with more than one adopter for each animal you foster.

 

 

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:

1. Setting up- An ECC foster coordinator will visit your home, set up the fancy rat, or mice, enclosure and enrichment items we will be lending you (unless you already have your own, in which case we will be working with you so we can establish cage enrichment that is in agreement with our policies and requirements), and instruct  you about needed out of cage time and space, handling, socializing, diet, and so on. Either during this time, or shortly after, we will bring your new foster(s) to your home. To see some of our standard cages, and play pens, please check out THIS Dropbox pic folder.
2. Medical- Empty Cages will pay for all medical issues of our animals. Transportation to and from our vets is arranged well in advance and always tightly organized by our volunteers and our fosters. We expect fosters to monitor their foster animals for any signs of illness and to notify ECC immediately if any issues arise. We only use certain vet offices for our animals. Their service and expertise is something we rely on, as well as the substantial discount they give us. Without this discount, our ability to help more animals would be severely challenged.
3. Satisfaction of helping those in need- The knowledge of helping an animal being rescued, and the joy and fulfillment of providing sanctuary while we work on finding the forever home!

PERSONAL INFORMATION:

Your first and last name: Enter Name

Email: Enter Email

Home Address: Enter Address

City: Enter City

State: Enter State

Zip code: Enter Zip

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Cell Phone: Enter Phone Number

Have you ever returned/given away a companion animal to a shelter, a rescue group, or to a breeder? Enter Your Message

What other companion animals (cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, snakes, birds, fish, rats, mice, reptiles, wild or farm life, and so on) do you have now, or have had in the past? Please list each one's name, species, and the time frame they have spent within your home. *For example:1) Goodrich, cat, 12 years old, still alive2) Linda, dog, maltase, deceased, lived for 18 years3) Mags, sugar glider, deceased, lived 3 years etc. Enter Your Message

Are current pets spayed or neutered?If not, why not? Enter Your Message

Does any member of the family have an animal related allergy? If yes, who? Enter Text

How many hours a day will the Fancy Rats/Mice have available to have out of cage time? Enter Text

Which best describes your type of residence?

Apartment

House

Do you own or rent?

Own

Rent

Does anyone in the house smoke? Enter Text

Who will be the primary caregiver for the Fancy Rats/Mice? Enter Text

Tell us a little bit about your previous fostering experience: Enter Text

If you already have a Fancy Rats/Mice enclosure, please describe:1) Brand name and size of the cage (If possible provide a amazon link).2) Placement of the cage in the home.3) Describe cage's flooring, levels & enrichment. *For example:1) Two story Critter Nation, size 36 x 25 x 62.5 inches2) Cage will be kept in my living room3) Plastic flooring covered with newspapers and fleece, litter box, 3 hideouts, 2 tunnels, 5 ladders, space pods, etc. Enter Text

Do you already have a Fancy Rats/Mice enclosure or need us to provide one? Enter Text

What will you do if the new foster animal(s) does not get along with your present animals? Enter Text

Please share any bad Fancy Rats/Mice habits that you can NOT tolerate. Enter Text

REFERENCES:  Please provide us with three references, their phone numbers, email addresses, and their relationship to you. One of the references must not be related to you, and NONE should share the same residence as you. If you are under 18 years old, please have an adult fill out the application on their name, and have you listed as a primary caregiver. *Notice* All applicants are required to list references. Applications without references will not be processed. Enter Text

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Why do you want to foster Fancy Rats or Mice? Enter Text

Date of birth: Enter Text

When will you be ready to start fostering? Enter Text

Employer: Enter Text

Occupation: Enter Text

Does your job require extensive travel? Enter Text

Employer Phone Number: Enter Text

How long with this employer? Enter Text

If yes, who will take care of your pets while you’re gone? Enter Text

How long will you be able to foster the Fancy Rats/Mice? Enter Text

Will you be willing to give the Fancy Rats/Mice up when an adoptive home is found? Enter Text

If this is not your only place of residence, please list the other (e.g. if you live in a dorm part time, if you have a summer house, etc): Enter Text

Please list all the people who you share a home with by giving their name, age and relationship to you. *For example:1) John Don, partner, 38 years old2) Julia Don, daughter, 16 years old Enter Text

Do you have plans to move in the near future?If yes, please explain: Enter Text

What happened to the animals you previously had, but are no longer with you? Enter Text

Have you experienced any difficulties with your current companion animals in terms of health or behavior?If yes, please describe: Enter Text

Have you ever fostered before? Enter Text

If yes, for how long, and what was the name of the group or individual you fostered for? Enter Text

How many hours per day will the animals be left alone? Enter Text

If you already have a cage and other Fancy Rats/Mice (or had so in the past), please let us know how often do you clean the cage. Enter Text

Do you have a veterinarian that you have used before or use now for your companion animals? If yes, please provide the name of the practice and phone number: Enter Text