Can I foster if I have pets in Nuneaton or Bedworth?

The deciding issue is whether each animal can live safely alongside a foster child, taking account of the child’s age, experiences, needs and proposed placement. Pet ownership is considered as part of the wider fostering assessment, rather than treated as a separate automatic exclusion.

You should provide accurate information about every pet in your household, including dogs, cats, rabbits, reptiles, birds, horses and other animals. The fostering team may ask about each animal’s:

• breed, age, size and general temperament;
• behaviour around children, visitors and unfamiliar people;
• history of aggression, biting, scratching, chasing or guarding food and toys;
• health, vaccinations, veterinary care and any ongoing treatment;
• usual living arrangements, exercise needs and access to different parts of the home; and
• likely reaction to noise, unexpected movement or changes in routine.

A dog with a calm, predictable temperament may be suitable, while an animal that is fearful, highly territorial or difficult to control could create concerns. This does not mean that a particular type or breed is assessed in isolation. The relevant questions are how the individual animal behaves and whether risks can be managed consistently.

The assessment should also consider the child’s circumstances. Some children may be anxious around animals, have allergies, lack experience of living with pets or behave unpredictably because of their age or previous experiences. Other children may need opportunities to learn safe, appropriate interaction with animals. A pet that is suitable for one placement may therefore not be suitable for another.

Practical arrangements are important. You may need to show how you would:

• supervise contact between the child and an animal;
• keep pets and children separate when necessary;
• store food, medication, cleaning products and equipment safely;
• prevent a child from entering an animal’s sleeping, feeding or toileting area;
• teach the child not to disturb an animal while it is eating or resting; and
• maintain appropriate hygiene and veterinary care.

These arrangements should be recorded in safer caring guidance for your household and reviewed when a child’s needs or your pets’ circumstances change. Foster carers are expected to follow agreed boundaries and report concerns, incidents or significant changes in an animal’s behaviour.

During the application process, be open about your pets from the beginning. A home assessment and discussions with the fostering team will help establish whether your arrangements are suitable. You may be asked for veterinary information or further evidence about an animal’s behaviour. Training and ongoing supervision can help you understand safe contact, but training does not remove the need for active supervision and sensible separation.

Pets can be a useful part of family life for some children, but they must never be relied on to provide therapy or companionship. The child’s safety and welfare come first, followed by the welfare of the animal. If there is uncertainty about a particular pet or proposed placement, this should be discussed before any matching decision is made.