Foster a Shelter Pet!
San Diego Humane Society has more animals in care than ever before in our organization’s history.
Like so many shelters across the country, we’re over capacity with animals who need our help. That’s why we need YOU to be heroes for dogs, cats and small pets.
By temporarily opening your home to foster a pet, you give them a break from the shelter, help preserve extremely strained shelter resources and create space for other animals in need.
You can foster for a few days or a few weeks – it all makes an incredible difference!
You can choose which type of foster assignments to take based on your interests, experience and home environment. We provide training and supplies, you provide the loving home!
There are 9 types of foster assignments to choose from:
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Foster Family Requirements:
- The main volunteer for the family must be at least 18 years old (have this person complete the application). Under 18 but want to get involved? You can support with the foster duties at home or check out our Youth Services page!
- Reliable transportation for transporting animal(s) to vet appointments or evacuating them in case of an emergency.
- Must reside in San Diego County. Our foster pets must not be taken outside of San Diego County.
- A schedule that allows you to meet the needs of foster animals in your care. There are many options for various schedules!
- Completion of online training prior to fostering your first pet.
- The first foster assignment is always our trial assignment to determine if we are the right foster fit for you. This is why our commitment is just one foster animal! If all goes well, we hope you will foster again and again to help these animals in need.
Application Process:
1. Complete the online application below
2. Follow the instruction in the application auto message to complete your online training courses
3. After training is complete, check out the foster portal and submit your interest in fostering a specific animal or type of animal
Foster FAQs and Considerations:
I've filled out the foster application, how long is the response time?
You will get an automatic response immediately after submitting your application! This message contains instructions for online training, that you can get started on right away, steps to view foster candidates and how to submit your interest for specific animals. Once you submit interest in a foster pet, the team will bein touch within 72 hours with more information on that animal.
How much will you tell me about my foster pet?
As much as we know, however 75% of our animals come in as strays, so we have no history about their past family, home, behaviors or medical needs. While in your foster home, you will observe and report what you learn to the foster team. These observations are added to the animals record and shared with staff and potential adopters.
Do you have hypoalergenic dogs to foster?
Hypoallergenic dogs at our shelter are very rare, and when they do arrive they get adopted quickly and do not need to live in a foster home during their stay with us. The majority of our dogs are large (over 50 pounds) and a mix of breeds. You can check out our adoption page to see the types of dogs in our care who would be foster candidates. If we do not look like the right match for your home, there are several rescues in San Diego who are in need of foster homes and might be a better fit for the type of dog you wish to foster. Many specialize in pecific breeds or smaller dogs. A few of our rescue partners include:
I am interested in adopting, can I foster first?
If your goal is ultimately to adopt, it is unnecessary to foster the animal first because we have an Adoption Guarantee! If for any reason you decide the adopted pet is not a successful addition to your home, we positively encourage you to return the pet to any of our campuses without judgment or criticism.- Read more here about our adoption process!
Can I adopt my foster animals?
Yes! Our foster families often fall in love with their foster pet and choose to adopt! However, adoptions are first come first serve, which is why we encourage you to go the adoption route if you have a sepcific animal in mind.
Do you train me how to care for my foster pet?
We do! All training is virtual and accessible in your volunteer record immediately after you apply! Throughout the year, additional hands-on training is offered for bottle-feeding kittens and puppies.
Is there a set time commitment?
The length of foster assignments varies based on the needs of the animal. You will receive an approximate assignment duration before you commit to an animal. Some of our youngest foster animals need around-the-clock care, including feedings every 2-3 hours, while other foster animals can be left at home for up to 10 hours at a time. We will match you with a foster assignment that works with your schedule, availability and interests.
Where do I pick up my foster animals?
You will be given options of animals from a variety of locations and will pick up animals from the campus where the animal is located. We have campuses in San Diego, Oceanside and Escondido, so you can select animals at the locations that are most convenient for you.
Will I need to provide food or supplies?
All essential supplies and medical care will be provided by San Diego Humane Society. Specific supply needs will be discussed for each foster assignment.
Can I foster just one kitten or puppy?
To ensure healthy behavioral development of kittens and puppies under 8 weeks of age, we always send them to foster in pairs or litters. If we do have a singleton we strive to match them with an age-appropriate buddy while they develop.
Can my foster animal meet my resident pets?
SDHS recommends complete separation of foster animals and resident pets for the health and safety of all involved. If a foster volunteer chooses to allow their resident pets and foster animals to interact, this must be done in a safe and supervised way. Your resident pets should be up-to-date on all necessary vaccinations and never be left alone with a foster animal. Information and resources on safely introducing animals can be found here. Please note: SDHS is not liable for any illness or injury between foster and resident pets.
What happens to my foster if I am going out of town?
Your foster team will coordinate an alternative foster placement or schedule your animal to be housed in the shelter while you are out of town. We ask that you do not take them with you or use private pet-sitters, since these private parties have not gone through the SDHS foster trainings. We are here to support our fosters so you can enjoy your time away!
Is it difficult to say goodbye?
Yes, it can be. Fosters definitely need the ability to say goodbye at the end of the assignment, but rest assured our Foster team will help you through it. Please remember that fostering is a temporary situation and letting go of one foster pet enables you to help another in need. Although each adoption saves a life, a great foster parent can save many lives by socializing and rehabilitating pets who need a little extra time and care.
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What do other fosters have to say?
"Being a first time foster mom to two kittens so small (9 days old) was daunting at first, but within a day their need for me outweighed my reservations over what I was capable of. I can't believe I've had them for a week already! I'm so looking forward to getting them all set for their future homes."
"I began fostering feral mom cats with babies during the 8 years I trapped, neutered and returned (TNR) community cats because there wasn’t any foster resources for these expectant cats. Having my own animals and fostering shelter cats give deep meaning to my life as well as shape who I am. Simply put, fostering is a life changing experience. There is no comparable joy in knowing that by opening up your heart and home to fostering, you truly help save lives and you have a hand in bringing many years of joy and companionship of a pet to someone out there. I foster because I want to make a difference and I know that if only we each do our part! Fostering one more mama cat with her kittens won’t change the world. What matters is that I help that one cat and that one litter."
"When I first started fostering the thought of a mom and babies seemed a little scary and overwhelming to me. How would I care for both? What if she didn’t like my other animals? What if she didn’t like me? After trying it once, I was hooked!! Mom does ALL THE WORK!!!! She feeds them, cleans them, watches over them. It actually makes the assignment much easier. As far as her getting along with my animals, I’ve learned to keep them separate at first and slowly introduce them with time. So far, it’s all worked out really well. I ALWAYS end up falling in love with the moms after seeing the work the put in. It’s a beautiful process to watch and be a part of. It’s definitely worthwhile!!!"
"Fostering is always fun, but fostering behavior dogs...that's where the real magic happens! Oftentimes, when I pick up a new behavior foster, I'm met with a pair of shy, fearful eyes. Yet, with a little bit of love, trust and the help of a confident resident dog, their true personalities shine. Sometimes, these pups just need a break from the shelter and a soft place to rest their head-then that’s when their sweet, sassy, silly and mischievous sides come out! It's absolutely incredible the transformation that can happen in a few weeks if you open up your heart and home to a behavior foster. The best part? When you hear that your little foster baby headed off to their new home with a big smile on their face and knowing you were a big part of that."
"I got in to fostering in a bit of a roundabout way but I have been fostering puppies and kittens with SDHS for quite a few years now. Many of the fosters I take need special medical attention or have contracted or have been exposed to panleuk. There are not many people who want to take kittens who have been exposed to panleuk, which is really shame because anyone can foster them and caring for those kittens have been some of the most rewarding fostering experiences I have ever had. Although it takes some special skills they can be easily taught, and getting a sick kitten healthy and then dropping them off to eventually find their forever home is incredibly rewarding. Fostering orphan animals in itself is very rewarding but with cases of panleuk exposure you know that when you foster that kitten you have in fact truly and very directly helped to save that animal’s life, and that is a feeling that you really cannot compare and one I have yet to find anywhere else."
