The average stay in a foster home is about 3 months. However, most animals with effective photos and stories on the web may stay only a week or two. Others, recovering from an injury, certain breeds and seniors, may stay longer.

Please ensure your condo, town home, or apartment allows animals and you obtain any approvals required and abide by any weight or breed restrictions.

You certainly can foster.  Many of our animals need one-on-one socialization, so a small space can be beneficial. However it’s important that you select an appropriate animal for your lifestyle and are willing to commit to providing the animal with the needed physical and mental stimulation.

Fostering is a wonderful family experience and can build a foundation of philanthropy in your children. It’s important to select animal that is “age” appropriate with your children, and as a general rule, children under 16 years old should NOT be left alone and unsupervised with any animal. You must also be diligent about providing guidance, instructions and rules to your children about caring for an orphaned animal.

Yes, but keep in mind that it’s always a health risk to expose your animal to other animals whether it’s walking at parks, vet waiting rooms or other common animal areas. The health risk is minimal if your animals are current on their vaccinations, maintains a healthy diet and lifestyle, and is not elderly or very young.  Cats should be FELV/FIV negative before bringing other cats in the house.

If you or someone in your household is immune compromised, consult your doctor before fostering.

Foster parents provide space, basic training, exercise and love. HHS will provide the foster animal with veterinary care that includes shots, antibiotics, spay/neuter, food, litter and supplies. The Foster Program receives donated items regularly which will be administered by an HHS Foster coordinator or volunteer.

No, but you may be asked to dispense medicine to your foster so you will have to be comfortable following veterinarian’s instructions if fostering a sick or injured animal.

Most commonly 1-2 hours per day. Litters, orphans or animals recovering from illness or injury may require more time.

If given enough notice, we can usually find volunteers that can foster sit for short durations.  Our foster families are compassionate understanding people.

Not without prior approval by the foster coordinator.  In many cases we will say ‘yes’, (if you are willing to foster the animal yourself), but we often do not have the room to take in strays or owner surrenders.

Yes, as long as foster parents meet HHS requirements necessary for adoption. However, it is very rewarding when your foster is adopted and you make room for another foster in your family. We understand that sometimes, foster parents get attached or meet “the one” and decide to adopt.  However, please keep in mind that without foster homes we cannot continue to save animals in need.