Fabulous Fosters

  Fabulous Fosters Make all the Difference!

Pictured Is Foster Deborah Carter's Daggie & Foster Kitten

Fostering is a wonderful way to contribute to the shelter and its mission. Foster Parents provide love and care to sick, injured or underage animals in their own home. Fosters also welcome healthy, mature animals needing some socialization or just a break from shelter life...even for just a few days!

When you temporarily care for these animals in your own home, more kennel and cage space is available for pets ready for adoption. The individualized attention you provide your foster animals is priceless... you are making a lasting impact on their physical and emotional wellbeing. 

And you are saving lives! We cannot save the lives of all the animals at the shelter without our Fabulous Fosters!

We asked our Fosters "Why do you Foster?" Their words below, say it all.

From Paula Mullenax,

Who has literally fostered hundreds of animals for us, had this to say about fostering:

“I would do anything to save an animal’s life! Animals bring me much joy, and being able

to help them and care for them until their next step is very fulfilling. Whether they need

respite from shelter life, special medical care, bottle-feeding, socialization, or are waiting

for a transport, fostering is good for the heart and soul! I always consider it an honor, and

never an inconvenience.”

From Dari Tritt:

"Why do I foster? Volunteer work in general fills my need to give back for the blessings I have. I enjoy the work with animals, who are welcoming, friendly, and loving. I find the people who do this work the same. The fostering allows me to expose my dogs to others and keep their socialization on track. It also allows for me to have more animals in my life without overextending myself financially and emotionally. I think being a foster mom allows me to find things out about the animals that adds to the information a potential adoptive family will need to a make a good match. And I get more love and affection from these animals than I could ever want. I do not have to take time away from my animals to do so."

From Stuart Evans:

"I have the cutest kittens you have ever seen!" My sister says that I say this about every litter that I foster for the Foothills Humane Society. What can I say but that each and every one of them steals my heart. I feel like it is my chance to give these precious little ones a head start in life, and for this they give me all their love. When their Mamma comes with them, within hours she learns to trust that I will help her with this new and sometimes strange responsibility, and together we nurture her babies until they are ready to go to their forever homes. I am honored that the Foothills Humane Society entrusts me with this opportunity."

From Elaine Rizzo:

"Two years ago, I wanted another cat but I already, had 3 dogs and 3 cats. Two of my cats are in their 20's, and my husband thought that a new cat would be too stressful for them. So I went to the shelter to see if I could be a foster mom. Puppies would be too much work for me so I went with cats. I have a spare bedroom to put them in. Since then I have fostered at least 20 cats or kittens each year. I've had semi-feral cats and kittens, kittens with no moms, and moms with kittens. I've even had full grown cats who needed a little down time. It is so much fun to go into the room several times a day and have purring cats all over you. The one who was semi-feral that I tamed didn't even want to play with the toys, she just wanted the loving. This is the room I take my nap in, and often I am joined by one or more cats. That is so comforting. I don't have too much of a problem letting them go when their time with me is up.There are a few who are my favorites. I keep in touch with them till they find their forever homes. And my cats go fast! I make them all "velcro" cats. Try being a foster. It is so rewarding and takes so little time and effort."

F.H.S. works around your schedule and needs.

        Our goal is to make your foster care experience enjoyable and to give the animals their very best chance at a good life. If YOU are interested in becoming a Fabulous Foster Care Volunteer, please, contact the Foster Care Coordinator. We take care of medical issues, and can help with food and kitty litter if needed. Again, thank you for accepting this important responsibility. We truly appreciate your commitment. Good luck, and happy fostering!!!

For info, emergencies, or questions, Call our Foster Care Coordinator, Dana Mayer 828-894-5313 or 828-894-2088 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.