Foster
FHS Foster Families are Our Heart and Soul
By placing a dog, cat, puppy, kitten, or other animal into a foster home, we’re able to expand our capacity to save even more lives. Fostering also enables us to gather important information for potential adopters on how the pet behaves in a home setting. We make fostering fun, easy, and rewarding.
Think you don’t have room to foster an animal in need? If you have a heated garage or basement, spare bedroom, or bathroom, you can give shelter to an animal in need of temporary housing. Can’t afford another pet? No problem! All expenses are covered. Afraid you’ll get attached? While it’s true that some of our foster parents end up adopting, most folks are able to let their foster animal go with the bittersweet joy of knowing they have saved a life, and that another animal needs their help next!
Why Foster?
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Zero medical expenses for you
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Food provided as needed
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Additional supplies available (crate, leash and harness, playpens/kitty condos for young animals, etc)
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Help a pet who is too stressed at the shelter
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Help a pet recover from a medical procedure
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Experience the joy of birth and babyhood when fostering a pregnant mom through her delivery, or a mother with her young pups or kittens.
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Hospice homes (for animals with a terminal illness but good quality of life) are always needed.
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The typical need for foster care is just two weeks! This gives us time to bring the animal up to date on vaccinations and make space for him/her at the Adoption Center. This short amount of time in your life will often mean the difference between life and death for an animal.
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Weekend fostering (for animals who need a short break from the Adoption Center) and longer options are available. Short term respite/holiday for foster families also needed.
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Many animals are cared for in our amazing foster home network. Be that most vital link for a pet while it goes from homeless uncertainty to a loving, forever home!
Can I Foster?
Please ensure you meet these requirements to be able to foster for FHS:
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I live within 1 hour of Polk County, NC (If you live outside of this area, you may still be able to foster for FHS or we can direct you to another group who needs your help!)
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I am able and willing to transport pet to veterinary appointments and adoption days as needed
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I own my home, or my landlord allows pets (we must call landlords to confirm)
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Everyone in my home is in agreement about fostering
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If anyone in my home has allergies, the foster animal can be kept separate
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I am able to totally separate my foster pet from my own pet(s), especially for a short quarantine period at the beginning of the foster stay and/or feeding (crates can be provided!)
Get Started
We’re grateful that you are interested in being a lifesaving foster parent! If you meet the above requirements, email our Foster Coordinator at volunteer@foothillshumanesociety.org, call 828-863-4444 or fill out the below application.
Foster-to-Adopt
Foster-to-Adopt is a wonderful way to help an animal in need while determining if they’re the right fit for your family. This option is available for select animals that we’ve identified as needing extra support or additional time to adjust to a home environment. Approved foster families always have the first opportunity to adopt their fostered pet permanently. If you're interested, we encourage you to ask us if a specific pet is eligible for our Foster-to-Adopt program!
