Can I become a foster carer if I have pets?

Having a pet does not usually prevent you from becoming a foster carer. The important issue is whether the animal, the home environment and the arrangements for managing it are suitable for the children who may be placed with you. Your fostering agency will consider the individual circumstances rather than applying a blanket rule about pet ownership.

As part of the assessment, you should expect to discuss all the animals living in or regularly visiting your home. This can include dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, reptiles, horses and other domestic or exotic animals. The assessment may consider:

• the animal’s temperament and behaviour around children and unfamiliar people;
• whether it has shown aggression, possessiveness, excessive fear or unpredictable behaviour;
• its size, strength and ability to cause accidental or deliberate injury;
• its health, veterinary care and vaccination history where relevant;
• where the animal eats, sleeps and spends time in the home;
• how you supervise contact between the animal and a foster child; and
• whether the animal’s needs can be met alongside the needs of a child in foster care.

Dogs are likely to receive particular attention because of their strength and the potential consequences of a bite or intimidating behaviour. A dog that is friendly with your household may still react differently to a child who is anxious, loud, physically active or unfamiliar with animals. Cats and smaller pets also need consideration: a child may be frightened of them, have an allergy, handle them roughly or struggle to understand when the animal needs space.

The assessment should also take account of the children who may be considered for placement with you. Some children may have allergies, fears, cultural or religious considerations, previous experiences of harm involving animals, or difficulty recognising boundaries. Others may be highly interested in pets and need close supervision to keep both themselves and the animal safe. A pet may therefore be suitable for one placement but not for another.

You may need to agree practical safeguards before approval or before a particular child is placed. These could include:

• keeping animals and children apart at certain times;
• using secure doors, stair gates, crates, hutches, tanks or outdoor enclosures where appropriate;
• never leaving a child unsupervised with an animal;
• teaching the child how to approach, touch and feed the animal safely;
• keeping food, medicines, litter, bedding and animal equipment safely stored; and
• having a clear plan for walks, feeding, cleaning and veterinary care.

These arrangements need to be realistic. If a pet normally has unrestricted access to bedrooms, furniture or outdoor areas, you may need to consider whether boundaries can be introduced without causing distress or creating a safety problem. You should also think about how you would manage the animal during a child’s arrival, when routines change, or if the child’s behaviour presents an unexpected risk.

Be open about your pets from the beginning of your application. The fostering agency may ask to see vaccination or veterinary information, speak with you about the animal’s history and observe how it behaves in the household. Do not minimise incidents such as biting, snapping, chasing, guarding food or reacting badly to children. Full information enables the agency to assess the risks properly and identify suitable safeguards.

Pet ownership can also affect the matching process. If an animal cannot safely live with a particular child, the agency may need to consider a different placement or additional arrangements. In some circumstances, an animal may be considered unsuitable for fostering in the household. This is decided on the facts of the individual case, including the animal’s behaviour, the home and the needs of children who could be placed with you.

If you acquire a new pet, an existing animal’s behaviour changes, or a child develops an allergy or fear, tell your fostering agency. The household assessment and placement arrangements may need to be reviewed. Keeping clear boundaries, maintaining appropriate animal care and following the agreed supervision plan are important parts of fostering safely with pets.