Foster-To-Adopt Program

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

As the Wake County Animal Center will not allow any dog or cat to be adopted before it has been sterilized, the Foster-to-Adopt Program provides a way for potential adopters to begin the bonding process with their future pet. The Foster-to-Adopt (FTA) program allows potential adopters to provide a temporary foster home for the animal(s) they intend to adopt when they are not ready for surgery. Once the animal is healthy and/or old enough to have the spay or neuter surgery, the animal is brought to the SPCA’s Saving Lives Spay/Neuter Clinic for its surgery. Once the surgery is completed, the Wake County Animal Adoption Center will transfer ownership to the adopter.

1. How does the FTA Program differ from a normal adoption? With a normal adoption, the animal leaves the Center having already been altered. Under the FTA Program, the adopter becomes a temporary foster parent until the animal is physically ready for sterilization surgery.

2. What do I pay to take the pet home? People who participate in the FTA program leave a $200 deposit, a portion of which is refundable. Once the surgery is complete, the adoption fee is deducted from the $200 deposit amount and the remainder is refunded. For example:

FTA Deposit:	$200
Dog Adoption fee:	$120
Refund Amount:	$80

3. When and how do I get my refund? A refund will be issued once the animal has been spayed or neutered. Refunds cannot be given out at the Wake County Animal Center. Refunds are processed by Center staff daily and are mailed by the Wake County Finance Department twice a week. You can expect to receive the check by mail in 30 days. Please note that your refund will not exceed the amount you paid the Wake County Animal Center.

4. Can I use a sponsorship for the FTA deposit? No, sponsorships cannot be used for the FTA deposit. Sponsorships can be applied to the adoption fee once the animal has been altered.

5. Are all animals eligible for the FTA program? No. Only animals that are identified by staff as not eligible for surgery due to health, size, or age are candidates for the FTA program.

6. Where can I have the surgery? The adoption fee includes spay or neuter. The Wake County Animal Center has arranged for all FTA animals to be spayed/neutered at the SPCA’s Saving Lives Spay/Neuter Clinic, at no cost to you. The cost of the surgery is included in the adoption fee. FTA parents also have the option of taking their foster pet to a private veterinarian, at their own expense. (See #7 below)

7. Can I bring my foster pet to my own vet for the surgery? Yes. You must notify the Wake County Animal Center upon the completion of the surgery. If the surgery is performed by a private veterinarian, then the adopter will not have to pay the $50 spay/neuter portion of the adoption fee. For example:

Dog Adoption fee:	$120	FTA Deposit:	$200
Spay/Neuter cost:	$50	Adjusted adoption fee:	$70
Adjusted adoption fee:	$70	Refund Amount:	$130

8. How do I schedule surgery at the Saving Lives Spay/Neuter Clinic? You can call the clinic at 919-772-0211. The best times to call are 3-6:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday. We recommend you schedule the surgery as soon as you take your pet home. You can also fill out the surgery request form online. Be sure to advise the clinic staff that your animal is part of the Wake County FTA program. The clinic will have a listing of all FTA animals, their foster parents and the microchip in the pet. The microchip will be used to positively identify the eligible animal.

9. Where is the Saving Lives Spay/Neuter Clinic? The clinic is next to the SPCA’s Dail Pet Adoption Center, at 200 Petfinder Way, off of Tryon Road in Raleigh.

10. What happens if I do not bring the pet back for surgery? Not having the pet sterilized is a violation of the FTA agreement. FTA parents will lose their deposit and must return the animal to the Wake County Animal Center. If the animal is not returned, Wake County Animal Control will pick up the animal and return it to the Center.

11. How is the adoption finalized? When Wake County receives verification that the animal has been altered, the adoption will be finalized and the paperwork mailed to the adopter. Once the surgery is completed and proof received, Wake County will finalize the adoption. If the animal is altered through the SPCA’s Saving Lives Clinic, they will notify Wake County when they alter a pet from the FTA program. It is not necessary for foster parents to provide additional information when the pet is altered at the clinic. However, should the surgery be performed at a private vet, proof of the surgery should be delivered to the Center in person or via fax (919-250-4424).

12. Can I return to the Wake County Animal Center for medical care during the foster period? No. The FTA family is responsible for all costs associated with the care of the pet. The VCA benefit includes those animals entering into temporary foster care through the Foster-to-Adopt Program.

13. What is the VCA benefit and how does it help me? All pets adopted from the Wake County Animal Center receive up to $500 in benefits at any area VCA hospital for common ailments as outlined in the VCA brochure that is provided at the time of the FTA agreement. This benefit includes animals entering temporary foster care through the FTA Program. Please refer to the VCA brochure for more details.

14. What happens if the foster pet does not work out? Pets can be returned to the Wake County Animal Center by the surgery date for a full refund.