Dog Foster Volunteer Retention.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Welfare Science
• Volunteer Management

Background:

• Foster volunteers are essential for animal shelters and rescues.
• Their contributions significantly impact animal welfare.
• Understanding their support needs is vital for retention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify reasons why canine foster volunteers consider ending their service.
• To determine desired training and support from organizations.
• To examine if support needs differ for fosters of dogs with medical versus behavioral issues.

Main Methods:

• National survey of 611 canine foster volunteers.
• Descriptive, content, and correlation analyses were employed.
• Investigated volunteer satisfaction and needs.

Main Results:

• Foster volunteers reported general satisfaction with organizational support.
• Areas needing improvement include communication, advanced training, and social support networks.
• Volunteer satisfaction and retention are linked to these support aspects.

Conclusions:

• While overall satisfaction is positive, specific areas require attention for better volunteer retention.
• Enhanced communication, comprehensive training, and foster networks are key.
• Addressing these needs can strengthen the foster volunteer base and improve animal welfare outcomes.