Can I become a foster parent if I have pets?

Pet ownership is considered during the fostering assessment because an animal can affect a child’s safety, wellbeing and ability to settle into your home. The assessment looks at the individual circumstances rather than applying a blanket rule to all households with pets.

Your assessing social worker may ask about:

• the type, number, age and size of your pets;
• how they behave around adults, children, visitors and unfamiliar situations;
• where they sleep, eat and spend time in the home;
• whether they can be kept apart from a child when necessary;
• their care, vaccination and veterinary history;
• any previous incidents such as biting, scratching, escaping or aggressive behaviour; and
• how you would manage the pets while supervising a child or responding to a child’s needs.

This information helps the fostering team decide what safeguards may be needed and which placements could be appropriate. A child may have allergies, a fear of animals, limited experience of pets or behaviours linked to previous experiences. Some children may also need a particularly calm environment, meaning that the household’s animals and routines will need to be considered when identifying a suitable match.

During the home assessment, you should be open about all animals living at the property, including pets that are kept outdoors or belong to another member of the household. The social worker may want to see how the home is arranged and discuss practical measures such as secure doors, stair gates, separate feeding areas, supervised contact and a private space where the child can retreat from an animal. The appropriate arrangements depend on the pet, the child’s needs and the advice given as part of the assessment.

Fostering does not generally mean that a child should be left alone with a pet or expected to take responsibility for its care. Adults remain responsible for supervision and animal welfare. Clear household rules can help, such as not disturbing an animal while it is eating or sleeping, asking before touching it and keeping the child’s belongings separate where this is necessary.

Some animals may require more detailed consideration than others. Dogs, for example, may need an assessment of their behaviour, training and reactions to children. Cats, small animals, birds, reptiles and other pets can also raise questions about hygiene, handling, bites or scratches, allergies, escape risks and safe separation. The relevant issue is how the specific animal is managed in the home, not simply the species.

If a concern is identified, it does not necessarily mean that your application must end. The fostering team may discuss additional precautions, changes to routines, professional advice or restrictions on the types of placements considered. In some circumstances, however, an animal’s behaviour or the household’s ability to manage risk may mean that fostering is not suitable unless the concern can be safely resolved.

Pet-related information forms part of the wider assessment of your household. Everyone who lives in the home should understand the proposed arrangements and be able to follow the agreed safety plan. You will also discuss safer caring, supervision, boundaries and how to respond if a child or pet becomes distressed.

Keeping accurate information about your pets and raising concerns early will help the assessing team make a fair decision. If you are considering fostering, you can discuss your animals with the local team before applying and ask what records or veterinary information may be useful. The final arrangements should protect the child, your household and the animals in your care.