Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pet foster parent?
- An animal lover who generously volunteers to open their home to orphan pets until these pets are ready for adoption.
- Pets need fostering until they can be made available for adoption, here are some of the reasons we might send them to a foster home.
- Too young. Puppies and kittens need to be at least 8 weeks old to be adopted.
- Not yet up to date on vaccines.
- Waiting to be spayed or neutered.
- Pregnant or nursing moms with babies.
- Undergoing medical treatment or recovering from a procedure.
- Foster homes provide a soft place to land for animals coming into our care and can help ease their transition into their forever home with socialization and love.
What is an 'assignment'?
- An assignment is what we call one set of fosterlings. It can last anywhere from a couple days to a couple months and can include one or many animals! We have lots of different types, for a summary of what’s involved see below.
- Our amazing foster families will only be in charge of one assignment at a time so they can focus all their energy on those kiddos.
I don’t have much experience with animals. Can I still be a foster?
- Yes, as long as you are willing to learn! We provide a lot of training as well as a manual and folder of information to take home with every foster assignment.
- There are lots of great resources for new pet families, our new fosters can find it very helpful to read up on puppies and kittens before taking home their first assignment!
What do I need to be a foster parent?
- Love, time and transportation! All you need to provide is love and attention, time to care for the foster pets, and transportation to and from the Center for pick up, drop off, and any appointments.
- The Center provides all supplies needed to care for foster pets (food, bowls, toys, blankets, potty pads, litter box, etc.).
- The Center also takes care of all medical needs of foster pets (vaccines, check-ups, spay/neuter surgeries, etc.).
Am I ready to foster puppies?
- Puppies are typically sent out to foster homes in groups of 2 or 3. They can be left home alone for a maximum of 4 hours per day.
- Pups can have supervised playtime outside in a fenced secured backyard (wood, plastic, chain link, etc.) but cannot go for walks unless they are fully vaccinated and over four months old.
- Puppies must stay at your home. They can never go to parks, restaurants, beaches, hikes, a doggy playdate, etc.
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- Puppies must be in an exercise pen if there is an unfenced pool.
- Assignments typically last 1-2 weeks, depending on the age and vaccination record of the puppies.
Am I ready to foster kittens?
- Kittens are typically sent out to foster homes in groups of 2, 3, or 4. They can be left home alone for a maximum of 6 hours per day.
- We recommend they stay in a bedroom or bathroom as a more enclosed space can help them to feel more at home in a strange new place, particularly for kittens who might be a bit more shy.
- Felines are always indoor only.
- Assignments typically last 1-3 weeks, depending on the size, age, and vaccination record of the kittens.
- To be a kitten foster, resident cats and kittens must be indoor only.
- To be a cat foster, resident cats and kittens must be indoor only.
Am I ready to foster a pregnant or nursing mom and babies?
- These canine and feline families need a peaceful, quiet, and safe place to raise their litter. Mom does almost all the work caring for the babies!
- Canines can be kept in an x-pen while feline families do great in a spare bedroom or bathroom.
- Once babies are old enough to wean onto solid food (4-6 weeks) you assist with this transition.
- Canine families can be left for a maximum of 4 hours a day and feline families can be left home for a max of 6 hours.
- Assignments typically last 2-3 months, depending on how far along a pregnant mom is or on the age of the babies.
Am I ready to foster neonatal kittens and puppies?
- These sweet babies are extremely vulnerable to disease and a foster home is the safest place for them.
- They require around the clock care and bottle feeding every 2-4 hours. Because these babies are very fragile and require special care, extra neonatal training is given to the incredible fosters who are able to take these babies on.
- Assignments typically last 1-2 months, depending on the age of the animals.
Am I ready to foster adult dogs or cats?
- Adult animals often go out to foster care as singles, occasionally adult cats will go out to foster with siblings. Adults can be left home alone for up to 8 hours.
- Felines are always indoor only.
- As long as adult dogs have all their vaccines, they can go on walks in your neighborhood.
- Adult dogs must stay at your home. They can never go to parks, restaurants, beaches, hikes, a doggy playdate, etc.
- Adult dogs must be leashed if there is an unfenced pool.
- Assignments typically last 1-2 weeks.
Looking to adopt the perfect companion?
- Our foster program is not set up as a foster to adopt program; we are looking for fosters who are interested in continuing to volunteer throughout the years to come.
- If you are interested in adopting, all of our adoptions are taking place by appointment only, you can start the adoption process by filling out an adoption appointment request form here.
- Check out our adoptable dogs here and cats here.
Why should I become a foster family for Helen Woodward Animal Center?
- Helen Woodward Animal Center is committed to the health and well-being of our pets. The Center goes to great lengths to ensure that every animal receives the lifesaving care that they need – no matter the cost.
- Fostering is a great way to put the Center’s mission to practice: People helping animals and animals helping people.
- Foster pets bring a lot of joy to their foster families.
- In opening up your home, you are truly saving lives!
I’m ready to apply. Now what?
- Apply Here: https://animalcenter.org/get-involved/volunteer/foster/foster_parent_application
- In-Person Foster Orientation: This will take place at Helen Woodward Animal Center. You will learn everything you need to know before taking your first assignment at this live event.
- Virtual Home Check: We will pass your application along to one of our virtual home check volunteers. They will reach out to schedule a 15 or so minute video chat session to help you figure out where the best place in your home would be to set up for canines and felines and can answer any other questions you have at this point.
- Onboard! We approve your application and get you some foster babies.
