Foster Care

Foster Info Sessions

Foster Resources

Foster Application

​What is fostering?

Fostering for the RHSPCA means temporarily opening your home to an animal or animals in need of extra time and attention than we are able to provide at the shelter.  Foster homes are mostly used as a quiet place for pets to recover from illness or injury, or to simply grow big enough to be placed up for adoption. Foster care providers are essential for pets with special needs and for when we've reached capacity at the shelter. Foster care providers are also welcome and encouraged to show off their foster pets to friends and family in an effort to find the animals a forever home. Fosters can also provide the shelter and potential adopters with more accurate information on what an animal is like in a home environment. 

Is fostering right for you?

Do you own your home or live in a pet-friendly rental? Do you have space in your home and budget to help an animal in need? Do you have time to give a pet or pets with special needs a little extra TLC? Will you be able to say goodbye at the end of the animal's stay knowing you have made a difference in the life of a shelter pet? 
​If you answered "YES" to any of these questions, then fostering could be right for you! Our foster care providers tell us what types of animals they would like to work with: cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, small mammals, contagious or non-contagious illnesses, short or long-term, etc. 

Are there any fees or costs?

We ask fosters to cover the costs of basic care for animals: food, litter, bedding. We can lend you a crate, carrier, litter trays, toys or special items if needed. We can also provide a small amount of food to get you started, especially if an animal is on a special diet.  
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The shelter will cover the cost of any necessary veterinary care or medication required during the pet's stay in foster care.  ​You pay no fees to the shelter for fostering! We appreciate the service you provide to your foster pet. Costs incurred for fostering a pet may be claimed on your income tax returns. 

How do I become a foster?

​Step 1: PREPARE
Make sure all your current pets are up to date on vaccinations. At the very least, we would recommend rabies, distemper for cats/dogs, and feline leukemia for cats.  Talk to your vet about any other vaccines they might recommend. (If you rent, check with your landlord or property manager to ensure you are able to foster!)
​Step 2: APPLY
Fill out the foster care application, available here on our website, at the shelter or contact us and we can send you one. The Foster Coordinator will review your application and contact you within 2 business days.

Step 3: HOME VISIT
The Foster Coordinator will schedule a home visit with you. The home visit is not a white glove inspection by any means. It's simply a chance for us to have a look at the place where the animal(s) will be cared for. It's also an opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about fostering.  The Foster Coordinator will go over foster care guidelines with you at this time and will ask you to sign a foster care agreement.
 
Step 4: FOSTER
You will be added to the shelter's foster care providers' contact list. We'll contact you when we have an animal in need of fostering who is
right for your home. We may have some animals who are in need of fostering on short notice or other may be able to wait a few days.  Animals may sometimes need one week or up to several months in foster care. We will always work with our fosters and their availability to ensure a stable and low-stress experience for both humans and animals. Fosters are always welcome to decline an animal if they are unable to care for it. 

Which pets go to foster care?

We mostly use foster homes for puppies and kittens that are too young to be adopted or animals with specific health or behavioral needs. Kittens and puppies younger than 8 weeks of age are placed in foster care for socialization and to keep them healthy until they are old enough to go up for adoption or transferred to rescue partners.  Occasionally, animals in our care have special behavioral or medical needs that are difficult or impossible for us to meet in the shelter environment. The shelter can provide medical care either in-house or at one of our partnering veterinary clinics.  Our Foster Coordinator will communicate with fosters about any upcoming boosters, health check ups or procedures necessary to keep the animal happy and healthy. The RHSPCA makes every effort to match an animal with the home environment that will best support its needs. 

If I get attached to my foster pet, can I apply to adopt?

​​Nothing makes us happier than seeing our animals get adopted! If a foster, friend or family member is interested in adopting your foster pet, contact the RHSPCA.  We'll have them complete our adoption application and will get to work on verifying it. Fosters are welcome and encouraged to provide input on their foster pets and encourage potential adopters to apply, however, all adoptions still must go through the RHSPCA.

We occasionally make use of foster homes as a space for animals awaiting transfer to one of our rescue partners. Our rescue partners may need time to coordinate transportation or prepare to receive an animal. Time pent in a local foster home can help a pet learn good house manners before heading to a new foster or forever home elsewhere. ​If your foster pet has been identified as a candidate for transfer to a rescue group, then we are obligated to send them to the rescue and in this case, they are not available for adoption from the RHSPCA. The Foster Coordinator will inform you if your animal is awaiting transfer to a rescue group as soon as this is determined. If fosters are ever unsure if an animal is up for adoption or awaiting rescue, please ask!

Why foster?

Fostering is a rewarding experience for foster care providers and a lifesaving service to our shelter pets!  By fostering you are helping to save the life of an animal in need. Although it can be hard to say goodbye to a foster pet, there is nothing more rewarding than knowing they are safe, healthy and one step closer to their forever home because of your hard work.

Ready to foster?

Download and complete our Foster Care Application form today!  ​
Sign Up to attend an upcoming Foster Info Session.
​Questions? Call (540) 434-5270 or email rescueinfo@rhspca.org.

Foster Info Sessions

Foster Application

Foster Resources

Foster Info Contact Form