We recognized the need for a foster program as we watched the number of incoming animals climb while the number of cages remains the same! Fostering saves the life of the animal in foster care, as well as the one that can take his or her empty cage.

Almost any animal in the shelter would benefit from foster care, and we have programs for all of them.

Some pets are healthy and adoptable, but just get overlooked. They may have been waiting for homes for extended periods of time, and simply need a break from shelter life, or perhaps are shy and feeling overwhelmed in the shelter. Often these "shelter wallflowers" will bloom when they get out of the shelter and into a home.

Pets with medically treatable conditions often would benefit from TLC in the comfort of a home or may need help with socialization or training. The shelter sees many pets that would be highly adoptable, if they could just have a few weeks to recover from common ailments, like kennel cough or puppy mange. Sometimes we have a dog that is recuperating from surgery or a litter of kittens who aren’t quite sure if they can trust people. All great candidates for foster! We provide medications prescribed by our veterinarian, and any training tips you need…you just add the love…and the TIME needed to heal!

Foster animals are pets that have been ‘tagged” or chosen by a rescue group. They have a place to go, but waiting on transport. These pets may need a few days or a week, by leaving the shelter, they open up their cage so we can help another animal.

Fostering is lots of fun, but not for everybody. Puppies can create lots of "poo" and can be a lot of work, kittens can climb curtains and scratch couches. It takes patience but is very rewarding. Things to think about before fostering:

• SCPR provides food and supplies, day to day care and health monitoring is up to you. Consider if you have adequate time to foster. Maybe you don't have enough hours in the day for puppies but could foster an adult dog.
• Animals will be exposed to kennel cough, upper respiratory infections, and other medical conditions. In most cases, it is necessary for the first ten days to prevent exposure to other pets.
• SCPR provides all veterinary care needed, but it will be up to you to keep scheduled appointments. It is imperative that animals be re-vaccinated and receive medical follow-ups on the date they are due. Young animals will need to be vaccinated every two weeks.
• Puppies under four months old MAY NOT go outside. They do not have enough immunity to protect themselves from diseases.

We want to make fostering an easy, fun thing for everyone. Nothing is more rewarding than watching the sad, scared, or sick pet your brought home blossom into a beautiful, happy, healthy animal full of personality and a zest for the new life that lies ahead. Saying goodbye when the time comes can be hard, but once the tears are done….you will realize that you can now help another homeless pet in need. It takes a special person to open their heart to a foster pet, but for those who take the leap; their lives will never be the same!

We will provide you with assistance along the way, tips on behavior modification and training, and all the veterinary care your foster pet needs. Fostering a pet does take time, of course, so we encourage you to be sure you have the time available to give. You must also take your own pets into consideration, and ask yourself if you have the physical space to add one more pet to your home. A Foster Parent needs to be able to provide a safe, stable temporary home for their foster pet; a place where your foster pet can have some quiet time away from children and other pets is a must; as is a safe place to be exercised. Foster parents will need to be able to transport their pets for medical appointments or to meet and greets with potential adopters.

When you have decided that you are ready to foster a pet, the first step is the Foster Pet Parent Application, available here or at the shelter. We encourage you to visit the shelter and talk to our Foster Program Coordinator; we will review your application and find the perfect match for you. Our pets can’t WAIT to meet you!