Foster handbook contents

Foster handbook contents

Handling puppies

After fostering...

Pre foster training

Always being safe

What happens to the foster pet

Getting started

Health warning signs

Kitten development stages

Supplies

In case of emergency...

What to expect

To take care of your foster

IIllnesses and diseases

Feeding the cats

Veterianry Care

Specific information

Wet, dry, bottle

Handled by our vet clinic

Pets available for foster

More about cats

Vet emergencies

Currently under construction

Handling kittens, waste, mature cats

Emergencies s non-emergencies

After hours emergencies

Puppy development

Foster volunteer guidelines

Foster care contacts

What to expect

The rules of the road

Supplies

Osceola County Animal Services will provide all of the supplies needed to care for the animal(s) for their entire time in foster care. These supplies include, but are not limited to the following:

All foster animals:

• food (may be canned and/or dry)
• medication (as needed)
• special instructions
• toys
• crate
• food/water bowls
• bedding and/or towels

Cats/kittens:

Dogs/puppies

• cage/condo (as needed)
• litter
• litter pan
• other items as needed
• toys

• collar
• leash
• shampoo
• other items as needed
• toys

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Training

The major training component is on line and is part of the application process, though additional training and resources are available. Additional training and seminars are available from the shelter and other resources. Fosters will receive an email when any new training is scheduled. Q: What is my reward for participating in this endeavor? A: Each volunteer is awarded the following: • Volunteer hours for any training • Foster days; one for each pet, each day

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Veterinary Care

For the most part, all veterinary care required for foster animals will be completed in the veterinary suite at the shelter on Old Canoe Creek Road in St Cloud. Appointments will be scheduled with the foster on weekdays between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm as these are the hours that the clinic staff is on duty. Appointments will be scheduled for:

• Vaccinations
• Wellness checkups
• Weigh In
• Surgical Procedures
• Grooming
• Return to shelter

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Vet emergencies

An emergency would be any of the following:

• seizures,
• excessive vomiting,
• extreme lethargy,
• respiratory distress,
• injury (broken bones, severe swelling, uncontrolled bleeding)

Non emergencies are

• mild vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• mild lethargy.

Some of these can be addressed with a change of diet or other simple changes. Please consult an experienced foster volunteer or vet tech about some of these strategies.

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Foster volunteer guidelines

► Respond within 24 hours to any communications from Animal Services staff.► Immediately report to OCAS staff on any behavior or health concerns.► You will not be reimbursed for any expenses incurred if you take the animal to a private veterinarian or Emergency Veterinarian without prior approval.► Please, no unannounced visits to the Vet Staff. (The Vet Staff is very busy and may not be available for a walk-in)► Foster animals should be kept isolated from personal pets to avoid possible cross infection.► OCAS will not provide or be responsible for the medical care or treatment of your personal pets should they contract any diseases or parasites from your foster animal.► Provide changes in your personal information (name, address, phone, email)► Foster animals remain property of Osceola County. The staff will make all final decisions regarding the placement of all foster animals. Foster Animals are not to be given, but may be adopted by the foster (see failed foster).

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Foster volunteer guidelines

► Foster animals are not to be cared for by anyone other than the approved OCAS approved and trained foster parent.► Foster animals are to be kept in the home of the foster parent.► The number of animals placed in one foster home may be limited at any given time.► Foster animals may not be transported outside Osceola County without prior permission from the managers.► A home visit may be conducted prior to and /or during fostering.► OCAS staff will inform the foster of any health problems, the expected length of care, and the date the animal/s may need to be returned for vaccinations etc. ► Please return all remaining supplies the way you received them and in an orderly condition.Fosters will not be reimbursed for any supplies that they purchase without permission.

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After fostering...

Foster animals must be returned upon request on any scheduled date for follow ups, vaccinations, treatments, meet and greets, on and off-site events. Every effort is made to adopt foster pets as well as the pets in the shelter. Some situations may arise that would prohibit this. These situations could be but are not limited to animals which exhibit aggressive or undesirable behavior, health conditions, physical conditions, owner reclaim. Euthanasia may have to, in rare cases, be considered. OCAS reserves the right to make these decisions.

Failed foster

A failed foster is to be celebrated - it is when a foster family decides that they want to adopt the animal that they are fostering. This leads to winners all around - the animal has a home and the family has an animal with whom they are already familiar.

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Kitten delopment stages

• Neonatal–Birth to 2 weeks (Either nursing from their mother or bottle feeding every 2 hours).

• At about 10 days the eyes begin to open.

• At about 2 weeks the eyes are fully open.

• Litter box use can start as early as 3 to 4 weeks.

• Kittens can be introduced to wet food at 3-4 weeks. They will try dry food at about 4 weeks.

• Weaned– At 6 weeks and older kittens should be eating on their own and may need to be separated from their mother.

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Feeding the cats

Feeding - Mother Present

• Ideally, kittens go in to foster care with their mother. In this situation, the mom cat will take care of feeding her kittens. Your job will be to feed and care for the mother, as well as providing a place for her and her young charges that is comfortable. At 4 - 6 weeks you will begin the weaning process for the kittens and return the mother to the shelter for adoption.

• Sometimes, another cat who is nursing will take on kittens that are not hers and treat them as her own. When possible, this cat will be sent to the foster home with the kittens.

Feeding - orphansrequires special training

• Newborns; every 1 - 2 hours

• 3 - 4 weeks old; 6 times each day with soft food and formula

• 6 - 12 weeks old; four times a day

• 3 - 6 months old; three times a day

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More about cats

Handling the kittens

• Kittens should not be handled until they are at least 2 weeks old.

• Please hold the kitten with two hands.

• Be gentle as kittens can be easily injured.

• Children handling kittens need to be closely supervised.

WasteMother cats will groom the kittens after feeding to stimulate them to use the bathroom. In the absence of the mother, the foster should follow this procedure after feeding until the kitten is three weeks old:

• Dip a small, soft cloth in warm water

• Gently massage the anal and urinal area to stimulate excretion

• At about four weeks old, teach the kitten to use the litter box by placing him/her in the litter box just after meals. You may want to cut the side of the litter box down to allow easy access.

Mature cats Cats over four weeks old can generally be pretty independent. Please ask the vet tech or foster contact how much and what type of food to feed the animal and how often. It is recommended that the animal's first meal at the foster home be dry food.

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Puppy delopment stages

• Neonatal - birth to 12 days – During this time, the puppy is completely dependent on mother for thermoregulation, food, and elimination.

• A puppy is born both blind and deaf, but is capable of whining to attract attention from its mother.

• For the first 3 days their life, they have "flexor dominance." They curl when you pick them up by the head.

• Day 4 to 21 they have "extensor dominance." They stretch when picked up by the head.

• Newborn puppies will move toward the side they are touched on or turn their head toward the side their cheek is touched on.

• They will root against a warm object.

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Feeding the dogs

Feeding - Mother Present Ideally, puppies go in to foster care with their mother. In this situation, the mom dog will take care of feeding her puppies. Your job will be to feed and care for the mother, as well as providing a place for her and her young charges that is warm and comfortable. Sometimes, another dog who is nursing will take on puppies that are not hers and treat them as her own. When possible, this mom will be sent to the foster home with the puppies. Caution must be taken as mothers can be very protective of their young. A mom and her litter should be kept separate from all other animals and as the puppies grow, you should handle each pup to keep them socialized.

Feeding - orphansIf there is no mother dog available, the puppies will need to be fed by hand. You will be provided with the proper formula for the puppies based on their age.Please do not feed puppies or dogs using cow's milk as it can cause some serious digestive problems.Feeding Puppies

• First 2 weeks, every two hours

• 4 weeks, transition to solid food, first mixing solid with liquid several times a day.

• 7 - 8 weeks, all solid dry food

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Handling puppies

Handling puppies

• In most cases, puppies should not be handled until they are at least two weeks old.

• Please always hold the puppy with two hands. Be very gentle as puppies can be easily injured. Children handling puppies need to be closely supervised

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• At three weeks old, puppies can be handled in short sessions, keeping them warm at all times. If it is cold out, you may use a hot water bottle or heating pad to keep them warm.

• Be sure to socialize the puppies and provide them with daily interactions.

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Health warning signs

What to look out for The following are warning signs that your fostered animal may have medical issues that need immediate attention. Please contact the shelter by phone immediately if any of these symptoms are present:

Medical emergencies To reach the shelter, call 407-742-8000 and ask to speak with a vet tech regarding the health of your foster animal. If outside of normal operating hours, you will need to call the on-call vet tech cell phone which will be provided to you.

• lack of appetite

• poor weight gain

• vomiting

• diarrhea

• difficulty breathing

• sneezing

• coughing/ wheezing

• constant crying

• pale gums

• eye discharge

• nasal discharge

• no urine/ stool

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Illnesses and diseases

More about diseases

Zoonotic diseases Zoonotic diseases are diseases spread between animals and humans. These diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi that are carried by animals and insects. Examples are rabies, mites, fungal infections(ringworm), psittacosis, toxoplasmosis, hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, salmonellosis, and giardia infection. To avoid transmission of zoonotic diseases, you should always wash your hands before and after handling your foster animals. When necessary, you should also change your clothes and wash all bedding, dishes, and toys that come into contact with the animals.

Upper respiratory infections

Signs/treatment

Parvo virus in cats

and other small pets

Ringworm in cats and dogs

Can spread to humans!

Mange

A skin condition

Internal parasites

Can spread to humans!

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Upper respiratory infections

• Sneezing
• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Clear to colored nasal and eye discharge
• Gagging, drooling
• Fever
• Loss of or decreased appetite
• Rapid breathing
• Nasal and oral ulcers
• Squinting or rubbing eyes
• Open-mouth breathing
• Depression
• Runny eyes

Treatment may be available depending on factors including age, pre-existing conditions, overall health, and if the animal received medical attention in a timely manner. (24 - 48 hours)

The classic signs of upper respiratory tract infections in dogs and cats are very similar to those of the common cold in people. Infected dogs and cats develop a cough, nasal irritation, sneezing, have a runny nose and may have nose bleeds. They may paw and rub at their face and develop a low-grade fever, runny or matted eyes, breathing difficulties, exercise intolerance, lethargy and anorexia.

SymptomsSymptoms differ depending on the cause and location of the infection, but some common clinical signs of upper respiratory problems in cats/dogs may include:

Illness page

Parvo virus in cats

Feline pan leukopenia virus (FPV), also known as Feline infectious enteritis, Feline distemper, feline ataxia, or cat plague, is a viral infection affecting cats, both domesticated and wild feline species. It is caused by feline parvovirus, a close relative of both type 2 canine parvovirus and mink enteritis. Once contracted, it is highly contagious and can be fatal to the affected cat. The name, pan leukopenia, comes from the low white blood cell count (leucocytes) exhibited by affected animals. Pan leukopenia is primarily spread through contact with an infected animal's bodily fluids, feces, or other fomites, as well as by fleas.

Symptoms of Feline parvovirus

• bloody diarrhea
• lethargy
• foamy diarrhea
• vomiting
• anorexia
• fever
• new eating habits
• change in activity & energy
• acute/extreme dehydration

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Ringworm in cats & dogs

Although the name suggests otherwise, ringworm isn’t caused by a worm at all—but a fungus that can infect the skin, hair and nails. Not uncommon in cats/dogs, this highly contagious disease can lead to patchy, circular areas of hair loss with central red rings. Also known as dermatophytosis, ringworm often spreads to other pets in the household - and to humans; usually children, elderly, and immune compromised. Ringworm is usually more common in cats than in dogs.

Symptoms of Ringworm

• Skin lesions that typically appear on the head, ears and forelimbs.

• Ringworm can cause flaky bald patches that sometimes look red in the center.

• In mild cases, there may be localized areas of redness or simply dandruff, while more severe infections can spread over a cat or dog's entire body.

• It is also possible for a pet to carry ringworm spores and not show any symptoms whatsoever.

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Mange

Mange is a skin disease caused by several species of tiny mites, common external parasites found in companion canines and felines. Some mange mites are normal residents of a dog’s/cat's skin and hair follicles, while others are not. All mites can cause mild to severe skin infections if they proliferate Treatments include: Prescription medications

• oral
• topical creams

Animals with mange should be seen by a vet ASAP.

Dog with mange

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Internal parasites

• Roundworms are the most common internal parasites. Resembling spaghetti, adult worms are three to four inches long. There are several ways animals can become infected. Nursing animals can get roundworms from an infected mother’s milk, while adults can acquire them by ingesting them.

• Hookworms are much smaller than roundworms—less than an inch long—and reside primarily in the small intestine. Because they feed on an animal’s blood, hookworms can cause life-threatening anemia, especially in puppies/kittens. Hookworm eggs are passed in the stool and hatch into larvae, and an animal can become infected either through ingestion or skin contact. Please note, hookworms are more common in dogs than in cats.

• Tapeworms, long and flat, are segmented parasites and range from 4 to 28 inches in length. An infestation can cause vomiting or weight loss. Animals acquire tapeworms by ingestion, of an infected flea. When animals are infected, tapeworm segments—actual pieces of the worm that resemble grains of rice— can often be seen on the fur around the animal's hind end.

• Heartworms are a parasitic roundworm that is spread from

host to host through the bites of mosquitoes.

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Internal parasites - symptoms

Symptoms differ depending on the type of parasite and the location of infection, but some common clinical signs include:

• Diarrhea
• Worms visible in stool/segments of worm seen near anus
• Bloody stool
• Bloating or round appearance to abdomen
• Weight loss
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Coughing
• Trouble breathing
• Dull coat

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Foster Care contacts/Emergencies

Thank you for becoming a foster. If you have any questions or if any medical emergency situations develop during your time fostering, please contact us. When you call, email or text, it will be helpful for us to know: 1. Is the animal vomiting? 2. Does the animal have diarrhea? 3. Is it active or listless? 4. Is the animal eating and drinking? 5. Lastly, we need the animals’ name and age Osceola County Animal Services Main Phone Line: 407-742-8000 Note: In the rare instance that your foster animal passes away in your care, please contact the foster coordinator or medical team immediately for guidance and support.

Shelter staff for fosters:

► Chelsea Wilson Program Specialist 407-742-8000, Ext: 28011 chelsea.wilson@osceola.org

► Mileny Robles – Lopez Program Supervisor 407-742-8000, Ext: 28003 mileny.robles-lopez@osceola.org

After-Hours Emergency Please call or text the on-call veterinary technician. 24 Hour Emergency Veterinary Hospital Only to be used when directed by staff Veterinary Emergency Clinic of Central Florida (multiple locations) 407-644-4449

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Dogs available for foster

Under construction

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