There's an animal here who needs you! If you're 18 or older and have room in your home and heart, we have an animal for you! We are especially in need of people experienced with bottle-baby kittens and adult dogs who need training.
Foster parenting
Become a foster
- It's easy, and training can be done from home! We supply all food, veterinary care, and supplies.
- Fostering can last from a few days to several months depending on the animal's needs and your availability.
- You must be at least 18 years old, and all of your own animals must be sterilized and up-to-date on vaccinations.
- To get started, watch the Foster Orientation Video and the VIC How-To.
- Complete the New Foster Application. We'll review within 7 business days. If we need more info, we'll reach out to you; otherwise, you'll start receiving foster request emails!
Available foster animals
Have questions about fostering?
See our FAQ below or reach out to us at fosters@hshv.org
Foster FAQ
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.
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.)
Anyone 18 and over! As long as you can make a commitment to temporarily care for animals, have experience with pets and and have a suitable household, we would love to have you as a foster parent! We welcome grad students, retirees, single folks, families, couples, roommates, snow birds...
If you don't yet have experience with the types of animals you want to foster, we recommend becoming an HSHV volunteer first.
Yes! As long as all of your own animals are sterilized and up-to-date on vaccinations. All cats and dogs must have their rabies and distemper vaccinations. In addition, we recommend your pets have Bordetella, Lepto, Influenza (dogs) and FeLuek (cats). When you complete the foster application, you will upload your vet records with proof of vaccines and sterilization.
We ask that you do not foster animals from another organization while fostering HSHV animals.
We require 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.
A home check may be part of the application process for new fosters.
We're sorry; for health and safety reasons, we require that HSHV foster parents commit to HSHV animals and not foster with other organizations concurrently.
