Fostering
Animal Care Services is one of the top ten largest intake shelters in the country. We have a 90%+ Live Release Rate every month, but it is only because of dedicated caring people in our community, like you!
Fostering is a wonderful experience for those who want to help animals. It is a great way to open your home to the compassion of caring for animals in need, and it’s also a great way to see what different pets work well in your home. Many fosters have found a perfect companion by opening their home to those animals in need. Fostering will fill your heart with love and inspiration and it will make a big difference in our community. Seeing pets that didn’t have any other options find wonderful homes is one of most fulfilling jobs you’ll ever have!
What is a foster home?
A foster home is a temporary living situation for pets in our program while they are awaiting placement in a permanent home or transfer to a rescue. Foster families provide a home, care and love. While we will provide you with everything else, such as a crate, toys, food, and medical care! The number of animals we can save depends entirely on the number of people who open their homes and hearts to foster them. Most fosters will stay in foster care for an average of 1-2 months though many get adopted far sooner than that.
Depending on the need there are a few that may be in care longer due to the age, illness, injury or behavior.
Still interested? Here is the Foster Application.
The 3 Foster Categories
Capacity
Some pets just ran out of time here at the shelter due to space availability and need someone to advocate for them and help find a new home. Many of these are amazing sweet pets that simply got overlooked and with great pictures and more information in a home get adopted quickly.
Orphan gruel and bottle babies
These are kittens or puppies that need 1-8 weeks of care till old enough for surgery and adoption. Typically these babies have no trouble getting adopted; they just need a loving home to raise them.
Sick/Injured/Behavior Animals
Depending on the medical treatment or behavior some of these pets may take longer to be adoptable. Our vets and trainers are here to help walk you through getting them healthy and ready for adoption.
*Transport
Animals that need two weeks of care while waiting to leave on transport to other rescue/shelter partners – Not yet available but coming soon!
Why become a foster?
Most of our many pets just need a little more time to find their forever home. Being a foster family has rewards beyond the essential value of helping a pet in need find a new home. For some, it is a chance to have an animal companion without a lifetime commitment. For others, it is the special challenge of helping an animal recover from an illness or injury, the trauma of losing a beloved owner or home, or to overcome a behavioral issue. Occasionally, it’s the joy of giving extra TLC to kittens and puppies too young to be adopted.
What are the responsibilities of a foster family?
- Be able to go to ACS to meet your potential foster pet
- Provide safe, humane, INDOOR housing for your foster pet until they are adopted (sometimes only a few days, sometimes weeks or a few months)
- Bring your foster pet to the shelter at least one weekend per month to help socialize, market, and try to get them adopted.
- Provide safe transport to and from the clinic at ACS to have your foster checked on a monthly basis (Mon or Wed 11-1; Tues or Thurs 2-4pm)
- Use the internet and social media to market and otherwise actively seek out a permanent home for your foster pet.
- Keep the foster rescue staff updated of any changes regarding your foster pet and provide updated pictures and a biography about your foster pet at least once/month while the pet is in your care
- Be available via email or phone to respond to potential adopters who have questions about your foster pet