Foster a Pet
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Why Foster?
Fostering is a rewarding and enriching experience that provides pets with a loving, temporary home while they’re in our care. Pets may need foster while undergoing medical treatment, to get a break from the shelter environment, or while growing old enough to be adopted. Pets in our SPOT Program need foster while their owners are experiencing housing insecurity, hospitalization or another personal crisis.
Time commitments range from a couple of days to several months depending on the pet. Foster parents will receive more information about available pets and can commit to fostering pets that fit their home, lifestyle and comfort level.
Still not convinced? Check out our Foster Parent Spotlights on the blog to hear from our foster parents about their experience.
Ready to foster? Learn how to sign up below!
Become a Foster Parent
Thank you for your interest in becoming a foster parent! If you’re at least 18 years-old and would like to get started fostering, check out the details below to learn more about the kind of foster homes we’re looking for and how to apply.
We are so fortunate to have a large pool of foster parents that are wonderful caregivers to the pets that come through our doors. At this time, we are only in need of foster homes for our pets that have specific needs. Healthy pets are usually adopted within a few days of arriving at the shelter, so the pets that need foster are often those with additional medical or behavior needs.
We are currently most in need of foster parents for the following populations of pets:
Dogs
Mom Dogs & Their Puppies
Litter size can vary from 2-12, with most litters being between 5-7
Most of the care will be focused on the mom dog and creating a low stress environment that she can take care of her puppies in.
Puppies
Fostering puppies is highly fulfilling as you can help raise a healthy, well-adjusted adult dog! Along with basic puppy care, foster parents provide socialization to their puppies by introducing them to new things.
Puppies need potty training, so accidents in the home can be expected while they’re figuring it all out. Puppies have a high level of energy and a need to chew. Having a littermate and proper toys can help channel that energy in a healthy way!
Large Dogs
Many folks feel they don’t have the space to house a large dog. However, even the smallest of apartments is bigger than the kennel dogs stay in at the shelter!
You can expect to need to provide some level of exercise, which will vary by dog. Many of our dogs are perfectly satisfied with time in the yard, if you happen to have a fenced-in yard. Others will enjoy a neighborhood walk, hike or maybe even a run, depending on the health of the dog.
Ringworm Dogs or Puppies
Dogs and puppies with Ringworm are at a high risk for euthanasia in most shelters as their care requires isolation and treatment that many shelters aren’t able to provide. Fostering this population helps us avoid euthanasia for a perfectly treatable condition.
These pups need to be kept separate from other pets and people, as ringworm is contagious.
SPOT Dogs
Our SPOT program supports pet owners in transition. This program provides temporary foster to pet who’s owners have found themselves temporarily unable to care for their pets. The standard amount of time they will need foster is 90 days. Learn more about SPOT here.
Cats
Diabetic Cats
Foster parents should be experienced in or willing to learn how to collect a Blood Glucose reading as well as administer insulin via needle and syringe.
Cats for Experienced Caregivers
These are cats that may require more cautious handling and be better suited for folks who are confident in reading cat body language. Most suitable for adult-only homes.
Foster parents with friendly cats and without cats are equally helpful! Some of our fearful cats would benefit from a confident cat in the home, and some prefer to be the center of your attention.
SPOT cats
Our SPOT program supports pet owners in transition. This program provides temporary foster to pets who’s owners have found themselves temporarily unable to care for their pets. The standard amount of time they will need foster is 90 days. Learn more about SPOT here.
Small Animals/Critters
SPOT Small Animals/Critters
Our SPOT program supports pet owners in transition. This program provides temporary foster to pets who’s owners have found themselves temporarily unable to care for their pets. The standard amount of time they will need foster is 90 days. Learn more about SPOT here.
Ready to foster? The first step is to get started on our volunteer orientation.
Don’t see the population you’re interested in fostering listed above? We recommend you check with shelters and rescue groups near you that may be in need of foster parents!
Questions?
Please email volunteers@seattlehumane.org or visit our Volunteer page to learn about other volunteer opportunities!
FAQs
Can I foster even if I work a full-time job?
Yes! In fact, most of our fostering families work full-time jobs! While some of our animals may need more round-the-clock care or mid-day medications, most of them will be just fine while you’re away for the day. If you have any time restrictions, we encourage you to tell us. We are happy to find the match who’s best for your home.
How much time do I need to spend with my foster animal?
The amount of time an animal needs each day will vary depending on their energy level, and medical or behavioral needs. You should be prepared to spend at least one hour a day a day socializing, playing, feeding and caring for your foster pet.
What supplies will Seattle Humane provide?
Seattle Humane is typically able to provide you with all the supplies necessary for fostering an animal. However, keep in mind that many of our supplies are donation based and of limited quantity. Therefore, if you are able purchase your own supplies, our program will be able to reallocate supplies to other families that may not be able to purchase their own.
Can I foster if I have my own resident animals?
Yes! However, we encourage you to keep your resident animals separate from your fostered animals.
Can my fostered pet interact with my resident animals?
Seattle Humane’s official recommendation is that you keep your foster animals and resident animals separate from one another. This is the safest option for preventing the spread of disease and for reducing the chances of any personality conflicts. However, we do understand that it is often difficult to keep animals totally separate from one another. Decide what is best for your home. Should you choose to integrate your foster animal into your own home, please talk to us to discuss appropriate introduction techniques.
How long will my foster animal stay in my care?
An animal’s length of stay is totally dependent on their reason for being in foster care. Typically, we should be able to give you a time estimate. If you have any time restrictions or preferences, please let us know and we will pick an animal that best aligns with your schedule.
I want to foster, but Seattle Humane’s Foster Program doesn’t seem like a good fit. Are there other foster opportunities available?
Be sure to check out more opportunities to foster in your community on the Home to Home foster website. The Home to Home platform allows pet guardians to connect directly with potential foster parents to find temporary care for their pets. Please note that while Home to Home is affiliated with Seattle Humane, it is not a part of our regular foster program. Our foster department does not manage these cases and does not provide supplies, resources, medical or behavioral care for these animals. You do not need to be a registered Seattle Humane foster parent to foster pets posted on Home to Home. Instead, you will work directly with the pet’s owner to coordinate care.