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Interested in becoming a foster parent?

Foster homes provide a warm, safe, healthy, loving environment for the foster animal.  Foster parents prepare the animal for life in a "real" home and socialization in the world.  Some shelter animals have never had that experience.

We are looking for individuals and families to provide both short-term and long-term foster care to dogs and cats. Animals typically placed in foster care are those who are:


  • too young to be adopted
  • under socialized
  • having a difficult time adjusting to a shelter environment
  • in need of medical care that can be better treated in a foster home, or
  • in need of a place to stay when the shelter becomes overcrowded

How do I know if I would make a good foster?


You are ready to foster if:


  • your own animals are up-to-date on vaccinations
  • your own animals have been spayed/neutered
  • you have adequate space (crates are highly recommended)
  • you agree to keep your foster animals indoors
  • you have an isolation area for sick animals
  • you are ready to make a time commitment to each foster animal from day one through adoption or return to the shelter
  • you agree to follow the policies, procedures and guidelines that have been set for foster parents

What is involved?


A length of time a foster parent provides a temporary home for an animal can be anywhere from one week to several months. Being a foster parent is like being a grandparent - all the enjoyment of caring for an animal without the lifetime responsibility!  However, a foster parent must be the type of person who can take home a needy animal, care for, and bond with, and then be able to let the animal go to another family or return to the shelter.

 

We provide bedding and any medications when needed.  Food and litter can also be provided, although many foster parents prefer to purchase their own to help the shelter and meet the special dietary needs of the animal in their care.  Preapproved medical care is also provided at the expense of the shelter.  Medical expenses not preapproved will be at the expense of the foster family.  Volunteer foster families are trained on what to expect while fostering.

 

Our volunteer foster parents are critical to our success.  There is nothing as rewarding or as bittersweet as watching a successful foster animal move on to a permanent home.  It takes a special kind of person to be a foster parent.  If you are up for the challenge and the reward, please download our foster application and bring it to the shelter.  If you have any questions, please call us at 591-0123 or email us at director@fspca.org