Can I foster if I have pets?

Pet ownership forms part of the household assessment when you apply to foster. The focus is whether the animals can live safely alongside a child or young person, taking account of the animal’s behaviour and needs, the child’s circumstances and the practical arrangements in your home.

What may be considered

• The type, number and size of your pets.
• Their age, health, temperament and behaviour around adults and children.
• Any history of aggression, biting, fear, chasing, guarding food or possessions, or difficulty responding to handling.
• Whether vaccinations, veterinary treatment and routine care are up to date.
• Where the animals sleep, eat and spend time, and whether they can be separated from a child when necessary.
• How confidently everyone in the household can manage the pets and follow agreed safety arrangements.

This can apply to dogs, cats, small animals, birds, reptiles, horses and other animals you keep or regularly care for. The assessment may involve discussing veterinary records, observing how pets behave and considering any professional advice needed. You should be open about all animals connected with your household, including pets that do not live indoors.

Children’s individual needs are important

A child coming into foster care may have allergies, a fear of animals, limited experience of pets or difficulty understanding boundaries. Some children may behave unpredictably around animals because of their age, experiences or additional needs. A pet that is calm with familiar adults may still need careful management around a child who is anxious, excitable or unable to recognise warning signs.

For this reason, the suitability of a pet is considered alongside the needs of a particular child rather than in isolation. A placement may not be appropriate if there is a significant risk of injury, distress or unsafe interaction. This does not necessarily prevent you from applying, but it may affect which placements can be considered and what arrangements would be required.

Safety arrangements may be needed

Depending on the assessment, you may need to agree practical measures such as supervised contact between the child and an animal, secure separation during meals or unsupervised periods, keeping food and equipment out of reach, or teaching clear rules about touching, feeding and approaching pets. Gates, closed doors, crates or separate outdoor areas may be relevant where they can be used safely and appropriately.

Good hygiene is also part of responsible pet ownership. Plans may cover handwashing, cleaning animal areas, managing bedding and food, and responding to scratches, bites or other incidents. You should never assume that a child can be left alone with an animal simply because the pet has previously behaved well.

How pets can affect the fostering process

Information about your pets will be gathered during your assessment and may be included in the overall recommendation about your suitability to foster. If concerns arise, you may be asked to obtain veterinary or behavioural advice, improve your safety arrangements or show how the animals can be managed in day-to-day family life. Any agreed safeguards should be followed consistently by everyone in the household.

Tell the fostering team about your pets at the earliest stage, including any concerns you have about behaviour, health or interactions with children. They can explain what information is needed, how pet-related risks are assessed and how animal care can be considered when identifying suitable placements.