Can I foster if I have pets?
Yes, you can usually foster if you have pets, but your fostering assessment will consider the animal’s temperament, behaviour, health and living arrangements. The fostering team will also assess any risks and whether the pets are suitable for the needs and circumstances of a child placed with you.
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Having pets does not automatically prevent you from fostering. The important consideration is how living with an animal may affect a child’s safety, wellbeing and ability to settle into your household.
As part of the fostering process, you will need to provide information about each pet and explain how they are cared for. This may include:
- the animal’s species, age, size and general health
- its usual behaviour around adults, children and visitors
- how it responds to noise, touch, changes in routine and unfamiliar situations
- where it eats, sleeps and spends time in the home
- how it is supervised and kept separate when necessary
- whether it has shown any aggressive, unpredictable or anxious behaviour
Dogs often receive particular attention because of their size, strength and potential contact with children. Cats, rabbits, birds, reptiles and other animals will also be considered, including the hygiene, handling and supervision arrangements they require. Previous incidents involving a pet should be discussed openly so that suitable safeguards can be considered.
Matching is an important part of the decision. A child may have allergies, fears, cultural or personal concerns about animals, or previous experiences that affect how they respond to a pet. Some children may need a home where animals are kept away from bedrooms or shared spaces. Others may require particularly careful supervision because of their age, development or behaviour. Your pets will therefore be considered alongside the individual needs and circumstances of any child proposed for your care.
You may need to agree practical arrangements before approval or before a particular placement begins. These could include using stair gates, secure outdoor areas, separate rooms, cages or other suitable enclosures; keeping food, medication and animal equipment out of reach; and ensuring that a child is never left unsupervised with a pet. Children should not be expected to walk, feed, handle or take responsibility for an animal unless this has been specifically considered and agreed.
Good records can help the fostering team understand your arrangements. Keep veterinary information, vaccination details and relevant behavioural advice available, and follow professional guidance about health checks, parasite control and safe contact. You should also tell the fostering team if your household gains a new animal or if an existing pet’s health or behaviour changes.
Pets can form part of everyday family life, but they must not be relied upon to provide emotional support or supervision for a child. Foster carers remain responsible for setting boundaries, supervising interactions and protecting both the child and the animal. Training will help you think through these responsibilities, and your fostering team can advise on pet-related issues during assessment, approval and placement planning.
Introducing a child to household pets should be gradual and guided by the child’s needs. Explain the animal’s routines and boundaries in age-appropriate language, allow the child to choose whether to approach, and avoid expecting an immediate relationship. A quiet, pet-free space can give the child a place to settle if contact feels uncomfortable.
Pay attention to changes in the child’s behaviour, anxiety or confidence around the animal, and share concerns with your fostering team. This helps determine whether the arrangements remain suitable throughout the placement, particularly when a child’s needs or circumstances change.
Talk to us about fostering with pets
If you are considering fostering, contact Become a Foster Family to discuss your pets, household circumstances and the next steps in the fostering process.