Can I foster if I have pets in Gloucestershire?

The agency will assess each pet’s health, temperament, behaviour and living arrangements as part of your fostering assessment. The key issue is whether the animal can be managed safely and whether the home remains suitable for the individual child or young person placed with you.

During the assessment, you should provide accurate information about every pet in the household, including dogs, cats, small animals, birds, reptiles, horses and livestock. Relevant details may include:

• the animal’s age, breed or species and general health;
• its behaviour around children, visitors and unfamiliar people;
• any history of aggression, biting, scratching, escaping or unpredictable behaviour;
• how the animal responds to noise, change and household activity;
• where it eats, sleeps and spends time in the home;
• how it is supervised, exercised and cared for; and
• whether veterinary advice, training or specific safety measures are needed.

You may be asked for veterinary information or permission for relevant checks. The assessing social worker will consider whether the pet’s needs can continue to be met alongside fostering and whether the proposed arrangements protect both the animal and the child. This is considered on an individual basis, because a calm, well-managed pet may present very different considerations from an animal with a history of unsafe behaviour.

Children who need foster care may have allergies, fears, previous experiences of animals or behaviours that could make contact with pets unsuitable. Their age, background, emotional needs and placement plan will therefore be taken into account. You may need to keep pets and children apart at certain times, use secure areas or gates, supervise all contact, or follow specific household rules. A child should not be expected to handle, feed or care for a pet unless this is appropriate, agreed and properly supervised.

Practical arrangements are also important. You should be able to explain how you would:

• introduce a child to the pet safely and gradually;
• prevent unsupervised access to animals, food, medication, cages, ponds or other hazards;
• manage walks, feeding and veterinary care around the child’s routines;
• respond if the child is frightened of, allergic to or unsettled by the animal; and
• maintain suitable hygiene, including cleaning animal areas and storing equipment safely.

Fostering households must be open about changes too. If you acquire a new pet, an existing animal develops a health or behaviour problem, or the household circumstances change, discuss this with your fostering team before arrangements are made. The suitability of a pet may also need to be reviewed when a particular child is being considered for a placement.

Pet ownership is discussed during the assessment, preparation and approval process. Training and guidance can help you understand safe boundaries, supervision and how to manage introductions, while ongoing support is available to help you review arrangements when a placement presents new challenges. If there is a known risk, share it early so that it can be assessed properly rather than relying on assumptions.

The most useful first step is to make a complete list of your pets and any relevant health or behaviour information before speaking to the fostering team. They can explain what evidence may be needed and how your household’s arrangements will be considered alongside your wider fostering assessment.