By choosing to adopt, you’ll be giving a homeless animal a second chance at life by offering them a loving and stable home, and there’s no end to the love and loyalty they can share with you in return. There are several advantages and benefits to adopting shelter animals as they are already vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and may even be trained. Additionally, adoption fees are usually much lower than purchasing a pet from a breeder, and these fees go toward supporting the shelter’s ongoing rescue efforts. Adopting a shelter animal also helps combat the issue of overpopulation and may contribute to reducing the number of animals euthanized each year. The emotional rewards are immense—adopting a shelter pet can bring great joy and companionship to your life, in addition to knowing you’ve made a positive impact on an animal’s life.
The adoption process typically involves filling out an application, meeting with the animal you are interested in, and possibly a home visit or interview. Once approved, you’ll complete the necessary paperwork, pay the adoption fee, and then you can take your new pet home.
The Boop Project makes it easier to find the right animal for you! In the cases where there is a highly coveted breed of animal that comes into the shelter, many adoption applications can be submitted in a short period of time. With The Boop Project app, you’ll be able to quickly submit a prefilled application with a click of a button so you have better chances of meeting that animal.
When adopting a pet, you should bring a valid ID, proof of address, and any required documentation such as rental agreements if you live in a rented property. It’s also a good idea to bring a leash, collar, or carrier to safely transport your new pet home.
Shelters often have specific requirements, such as age limits (usually 18+), a stable living situation, and, in some cases, landlord approval if you rent your home. Some shelters may also require that all family members meet the animal before adoption to ensure a good fit.
Preparing your home involves pet-proofing areas where the animal will spend most of its time. This might include removing hazardous items, securing loose wires, and setting up a designated space with a bed, food, and water. Make sure you have all necessary supplies, such as food, toys, and grooming tools, before bringing your pet home.
The first few days with a new pet can be an adjustment period for both you and the animal. Your pet might be nervous or shy as they get used to their new surroundings. Give them time and space to explore at their own pace, and establish a routine to help them feel secure. Be patient and provide plenty of positive reinforcement as your pet settles in.
When you use The Boop Project app to adopt, you will be adopting directly from the shelter. The Boop Project app is a tool to help potential dog owners find the best matched shelter animal for them and forever home for the animal in effort to reduce the number of animals returned or surrendered back to the shelter and promote more happy, successful placements. *Also, there are long term benefits to adopting through the app such as discounts on grooming, vet care, training, pet food, toys, products, and more.*
*This is not yet available in Phase 1 of The Boop Project, but look for Membership Benefits in the near future.
At The Boop Project, we prioritize fostering as much as we do adoption. Through the app, we'll let potential fosters know when there is an animal in need of fostering that meets their criteria or preferences. Many people have good reasons to not own a pet or get another one, but fostering might be that perfect opportunity to still get all the rewarding benefits of having an animal in your home while playing a critical role in saving lives.
In addtion to being an incredibly rewarding experience, fostering plays a critical role in the animal’s journey to finding a permanent home. By fostering, you provide a temporary safe haven for animals who might be too young, sick, or stressed to thrive in a shelter environment. Fostering allows these animals to receive personalized care, socialization, training, making them more adoptable. It also frees up space in shelters, enabling them to rescue more animals in need. Additionally, fostering allows individuals to enjoy the companionship of a pet without a long-term commitment, which can be ideal for those with temporary or unpredictable living situations.
To become a foster caregiver, you typically need to fill out an application, undergo a home inspection or interview, and attend a training session. But often times, the shelters are too overwhelmed caring for the needs of the animals or too full to do a proper inspection or interview with every prospective foster caregiver.
The Boop Project app will make this process easier for the shelter by pre-vetting the prospective foster caregivers and matching the animals to the right homes for them depending on their needs
Most shelters cover the costs of veterinary care, food, and supplies while you are fostering. Some may even provide crates, toys, and bedding. You are usually only responsible for providing a loving home and possibly transporting the animal to vet appointments.
Foster placements can last anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on the animal’s needs. The shelter will give you an estimate of the timeframe when you are matched with a foster animal, though it can sometimes change based on the animal's progress.
By fostering using The Boop Project app, you set the amount of time you are willing to foster and the app will only match you with animals that fit your time, behavior, breed, etc. criteria.
It's lovingly called a "Foster Fail"! It's common to form a bond with your foster pet. If you feel you can’t part with them, many shelters offer the option to adopt your foster animal. However, the main goal of fostering is to prepare the animal for their forever home, so this decision should be made carefully.
While previous experience with animals is helpful, it is not always required. Shelters and The Boop Project can help training and support to help first-time foster caregivers succeed. The Boop Project app will also match you with animals that are suitable for your experience level. Fostering may come with its own set of challenges just like adopting a pet. Animals have their own personalities just like people. There will likely be an adjustment period for both you and the animal. Be patient and look to the 3-3-3 Rule for guidance on what to expect. Just know that your efforts and love are making a difference in the animal's life.
When using The Boop Project app to foster, you'll only be matched with animals whose needs and preferences fit the home enviroment, situation, and preferences that you've set in your profile making it much easier to say "yes" and Boop!
>While previous experience with animals is helpful, it is not always required. Shelters and The Boop Project can help training and support to help first-time foster caregivers succeed. The Boop Project app will also match you with animals that are suitable for your experience level.
When using The Boop Project app to foster, you'll only be matched with animals whose needs and preferences fit the home enviroment, situation, and preferences that you've set in your profile making it much easier to say "yes" and Boop!
If you are unable to continue fostering, go to The Boop Project app and under your pet's profile, select "Find New Foster Home". You will be asked a few questions and the shelter will be notified. If the app is able to secure a new foster home for the animal, the shelter will be notified and you will be advised to either bring the animal back to the shelter or you will recieve contact information to arrange the transfer of the animal to the new foster home.
If the foster animal has behavioral issues, contact the shelter or go to The Boop Project website for support. The shelter may provide training resources, advice, or connect you with a local behaviorist to help manage and correct the behavior. The Boop Project will also have some online resources for you to use, and as The Boop Project community grows, there will be more local support available to you. It takes a pack!
Yes, fostering a pet can be tax-deductible! The IRS allows deductions for unreimbursed expenses related to fostering animals for a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. These expenses can include things like:
To qualify for these deductions, keep detailed records and receipts of all expenses. Additionally, the organization you are fostering for must be recognized as a charitable organization by the IRS. If you are fosting using The Boop Project app, all organizations on the app are a verified IRS recognized 501(c)3 organization.