Foster

Foster families are an integral part of HSHA because they provide temporary homes for animals that we may not be able to care for in the shelter environment.  Fostering is a very rewarding experience.  HSHA provides foster families with all of the education and supplies they need.  In turn, foster families provide the love and attention that many foster animals need.  Foster families provide temporary homes for animals for a variety of reasons, including:
• Animal may be too young to adopt out
• Animal may need special medical attention/time to heal
• Our kennels may be too full to house the animal

Foster families should be able to provide an area in their home that is isolated from other pets.  Other pets should be up-to-date on all vaccines.  HSHA will never ask a foster family to house an animal that may not be a "good match" for that family.

Important Information for Foster Homes
• All foster homes must have a house check before they can foster
• Animals that go to foster homes include: nursing kittens (with or without a mother), nursing puppies (with or without a mother), animals with special medical or behavioral needs, pregnant animals
• A foster home will never be asked to take an animal they are not comfortable handling or caring for
• All supplies are included, including crates, litter pans, blankets, and food. We do ask that foster parent supply their own litter, since it is usually in short supply at the shelter. Some foster homes do decide to provide all of their own supplies.
• Any medical care or medical supplies are provided by HSHA’s in-house veterinarian.
• If your foster animal is pregnant, you keep her until she has her babies.  The babies then come back at 6 weeks to get their first set of vaccinations.  Finally, they return again at 8 weeks for their last set of vaccinations and to be placed on the adoption floor.  Foster animals may be brought in for vaccines on Saturdays from 3-4pm (appointment not needed).
• If your foster babies are nursing or bottle feeding, they too will need to come back at 6 weeks to get their first set of vaccinations.  Finally, they return again at 8 weeks for their last set of vaccinations and to be placed on the adoption floor.
• Foster animals may be brought in for vaccines on a walk-in basis on Wednesdays from 2-4pm and Sundays from noon-2pm.
 

If you are interested in serving as a foster family for HSHA, please download and complete the foster application.