Foster Program
***Kitten Foster Homes Urgently Needed***
Become a Foster Care Volunteer!
Become a Foster Care Volunteer!
Thinking about fostering? The Foster Care Program has become an important part of the Care Center and we are deeply grateful for the vital service provided by our Foster Care Volunteers. There are countless numbers of orphaned and abandoned animals that are too young to survive on their own, or are ill or injured and in need of medical care before they can be made available for adoption.
Our dedicated team of Foster Care Volunteers provides temporary care for animals of all ages, sizes, and medical needs. Some need to be fostered for only a few days, while others may need extended care. Foster care is invaluable to these animals and we are continually seeking additional qualified Foster Care Volunteers. If you are interested in joining us, the first step is to submit a Foster Care Volunteer Application. A Foster Care Coordinator will review each application and contact approved candidates to schedule their attendance at a volunteer orientation/foster care training session. Attending this session will provide you with some basic instructions regarding how the Foster Care Program operates and how to properly care for the animal(s) placed in your charge.
What animals are candidates for Foster Care?
Our dedicated team of Foster Care Volunteers provides temporary care for animals of all ages, sizes, and medical needs. Some need to be fostered for only a few days, while others may need extended care. Foster care is invaluable to these animals and we are continually seeking additional qualified Foster Care Volunteers. If you are interested in joining us, the first step is to submit a Foster Care Volunteer Application. A Foster Care Coordinator will review each application and contact approved candidates to schedule their attendance at a volunteer orientation/foster care training session. Attending this session will provide you with some basic instructions regarding how the Foster Care Program operates and how to properly care for the animal(s) placed in your charge.
What animals are candidates for Foster Care?
- Kittens: Newborn to 12 weeks of age
- Animals needing special care/treatment (healing broken limbs, wounds, those who are extremely timid)
- Older animals that have difficulty adapting to shelter life
How does the Foster Care Program work?
The Care Center receives an animal that is not ready to be made available for adoption. We frequently receive very young animals that need immediate foster care. Foster Care Volunteers are contacted. If you are called to foster an animal and for any reason cannot do it, we will find another foster home and call you the next time. It is always okay to say you are not available. The animal remains in the foster home until it is ready for adoption. However, you may need to bring the fostered animal(s) to the Care Center to receive any necessary vaccines or treatments, or to a SBACC-approved veterinarian for an occasional check up. When the animal is ready for adoption, it is either returned to the Care Center or, in some situations, may be adopted directly from the foster home.
Important questions to consider before applying to become a Foster Care Volunteer:
Most foster animals need a great deal of quality time to socialize. Do you have the time to spend with the foster animal(s)?
Young animals can be very messy when they eat and potty. Do you have the time and patience to clean up after the foster animal(s)?
Are you able to separate the foster animals from your own animals? Any foster animal under 6 weeks of age or a pregnant animal has not been give vaccinations. Although we believe the foster animal is healthy when we place them in foster care, they may be incubating an illness. Therefore, we recommend that you keep them separated from your own animals. All foster animals must be kept indoors (no garages, patios, sheds, etc).
Are you able to attend to your foster animal(s) in an emergency? It is the responsibility of the Foster Care Volunteer to monitor and report any signs or symptoms of illness. It may be necessary for the Foster Care Volunteer to bring the foster animal(s) to an emergency clinic per Foster Care Coordinator approval.
Will you be able to bring the foster animal back at the end of the foster period? For some, this is the most difficult part of fostering!
The Care Center operates solely on donations; however, we provide all food, medicine and other supplies when available for all of the fostered animals. Our veterinarians will provide you with any necessary medications, tests, or treatments needed for the fostered animal(s).
If you feel you cannot commit to being a Foster Care Volunteer at this time, but would like to support our program, we are always in need of the following items and supplies:
- KMR Formula
- Animal Baby Bottles
- Microwavable Warming Discs
- Vaporizers
- Strained Chicken Baby Food
- Wellness Canned Turkey Cat Food
- Wellness Canned Kitten Food
- Flannel Baby Blankets and Towels
- Nutro Max Kitten Roasted Chicken Flavor Dry Food
- Shallow Stainless Steel Food Dishes
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Foster Care Volunteer!
