Thank you for your interest in fostering for HSHV! We appreciate your support.
You can sign up to become a foster anytime! We are especially in need of people experienced with bottle baby kittens and adult dogs who have special requirements (for example: dog reactive, needing behavior modification, or basic manners training). Start the process here.
We have many animals who are waiting for foster homes! To see animals who need fostering visit our Available Foster Animals page.
For more information on fostering, please contact fosters@hshv.org. Thank you!
Why be a foster parent?
Whom can you help?
- Mamas: care for a pregnant or nursing animal while she cares for her babies
- Animals with medical needs: those with injuries, illness or other medical conditions
- Animals with special training needs: those with separation anxiety or who need basic manners training, those who are reactive to other animals
- Young animals: orphans who need round the clock care and bottle feeding, socialization and those that are not yet old enough for adoption
- Animals who need a break from shelter life: those who are not doing well in the shelter environment or have been waiting for adoption for a long time
- Safe Harbor: families who need temporary housing for their animal due to an emergency situation (unexpected hospital stay, house fire, etc.)
What’s Involved?
Fostering can last from a few days to several months depending on the needs of the animals and your availability. Extra training is provided for unique circumstances, and medical assistance and questions are handled quickly. All veterinary care, food and animal supplies are provided by HSHV.
Who can foster?
Whether you are a grad student, retired, single, in a family, a couple, or roommates, as long as you can make a commitment to temporarily care for animals and have a household suitable, we would love to talk to you about becoming a Foster Parent.
To foster, you must be at least 18 years old, and all of your own animals must be sterilized and up-to-date on vaccinations. Vaccinations required include: rabies and distemper (cats and dogs). Recommended vaccinations include: Bordetella, Lepto, Influenza (dogs) FeLuek (cats). When you complete the foster application, you will upload your vet records with proof of vaccines and sterilization. We also require that you have experience with the type of animals you want to foster. If you’re never had a pet, please consider becoming a regular volunteer as a way to gain some experience handling and caring for animals. For everyone’s health and safety, HSHV Foster Parents will need to commit to only fostering with HSHV and cannot foster for another organization if they are fostering for us. A home check may be part of the application process for new fosters.
Become a Foster!
Step #1: Complete the New Foster Application
Step #2: Watch the 20-min Virtual Foster Orientation and the VIC How-To Presentation included in the application.
Step #3: Our team will review your Foster Application over the next 1-5 business days. Once your application is finalized, you will begin to receive Foster Request emails. If any further information is needed, our team will reach out to you.