Pet Foster Homes

I have a few questions about foster homes for pets so if you are a foster home for pets please answer.
   
1) Do you get payed to be a foster home
   
2) Do you need any type of college degree
   
3) How many animals can you foster at one time
   
4) How did you get started as a foster parent?

my family signed up to be fosters but were never needed...
   
1) you are definately not paid but i believe some may be reinbursed for spay/neuter and shots
   
2)absolutely not, you just need to be able to care for the animal safely and with a stable environment
   
3)i dont think there is a limit, i know some people have 5 at a time!
   
4)call/go to your local humane society/ rescue group etc and they will give you a form to fill out
   
note: if you have any dogs/cats they MUST be up to date on shots and may need to be spayed/ neutered

I have spent the past few weeks leaning about fostering and researching different rescues around me (Los Angeles). I haven't started fostering yet but this week plan to contact the rescue that I've finally narrowed it down to to get the ball rolling. This is a bit of what I know so far...
   
1) Do you get payed to be a foster home
   
--You are not payed for your time like it's a job or anything but I can say that at least about half of the rescues I've looked into do provide you with pet food, litter and medical care, plus in most cases the animal has already been spayed/neutered. Also, you almost always or always have the option to adopt your foster pet if you like.
   
2) Do you need any type of college degree
   
--Not at all, you just need to provide a loving, safe home for the animal. They will probably inquire about other possible pets in your home and if they're up to date w/ everything. Some want you to hopefully be able to bring the animal to some adoption days on the weekends or other days if you can, as this gives it a better chance of finding a forever home sooner.
   

   
3) How many animals can you foster at one time
   
--Haven't found any specifics on this, but have gotten the impression it is however many is reasonable for the space/situation for the animals to get proper attention and care.
   
4) How did you get started as a foster parent?
   
--I wanted a cat and was going to adopt but found out about fostering and thought it was a wonderful way to give an animal a second chance and also experience the joy and companionship of an animal. There are SO many animals that are waiting for someone like you to give them the loving help they deserve. By fostering an animal you are directly saving a life. You can do a simple search on google, yahoo, or whatever (ex: animal rescue los angeles) to find multitudes of rescues or shelters near you (if you're in a smaller city you might only find a couple, or check the phonebook or call a vet, etc.) Some sites have lots of names of or links to other rescue sites in them, either way you should find options.
   
Best wishes!
   
"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do."
   
-Edmund Everett Hale