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Dog and Puppy Foster Homes Needed - please help us rescue more! See our FAQ page for information.

FAQ

Have a question? Click the questions below to reveal the answers. If you don't see what you are looking for, feel free to contact us using the form to the right or give us a call at 877-364-2286.  If you're ready to foster, fill out the Foster Home Application under the Volunteer tab.

Cat Question
Do I get to choose which cats I foster?

Yes – We will call or email you with available cats and info about them. It is up to you whether you want to foster that particular animal/s. We take a particular cat’s/kitten’s personality into account and consider your home (i.e., whether you have kids or other pets, whether your household is busy or quiet, etc.) to make the best match.

Do I have to know how to screen potential adopters.

H.E.L.P. phone and web site volunteers initially screen all potential adopters. If they sound suitable to our screeners, they will pass along your phone number. After that, we will guide you in making good decisions, but knowing your foster animal is the most important part –Would my foster cat be happy living with this particular person or family?

How long does it usually take for a foster cat to be adopted?

It depends on the age and personality of the cat, and on you. We have regular adoption events which we hope you will participate in. We also rely on you to provide a good description of the cat and photos for our web site (a volunteer can take some if you don’t have a camera). Some cats are adopted within a month; others have been waiting for adoption for longer. The more you try, the greater your success.

How many cats would I have to foster?

Most people foster one or two adults at a time or a litter of kittens. You can take in as many or few as you like.

How much money will it cost me to foster a cat?

Nothing. Vet care is billed directly to H.E.L.P. We also pay for food, litter and other necessary supplies, which are distributed to foster homes monthly.

How Will Fostering Affect My Own Pets?

No one can predict how your own pets will react, but if the pets are properly introduced, things usually work out fine. (And we are here to give you guidance on how to do this!) It’s best for foster homes to have a separate room or series of rooms for the foster pets– at least initially– but if everybody gets along, it’s up to you whether the foster pet is separated or not.

H.E.L.P. takes every precaution to ensure the health of our foster cats – they’re tested for Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), dewormed, deflea-ed, etc. before they go to your home. Still, there are times when a foster pet brings in a contagious illness – rarely serious. Usually, these are easily treated at HELP’s expense, but we recommend that your pets are up to date on their shots and healthy before you bring a foster animal into your home

Dog Question
Do I get to choose which dogs I foster?

Yes. We call or email with needy dogs and information about them and it is up to you whether you want to foster them. We don’t always know about a dog’s background before they go into their foster home, but they are examined by a vet and tested for temperament.

Do I have to know how to screen potential adopters?

H.E.L.P. phone and web site volunteers initially screen all potential adopters and a completed application must be submitted before you’re even involved. After that, we will guide you in making good decisions, but knowing your foster animal is the most important part – would my foster dog be safe and happy living with this particular person or family is the most important screening question you need to know.

How long does it usually take for a foster dog to be adopted?

It depends on the age and the personality of the dog, and on you. We rely on you to provide a good description of the dog and photos for our web site (a volunteer can take photos if you don’t have a camera). Some dogs are adopted within a couple weeks; for others it takes longer. The more you try, the greater your success.

How many dogs would I have to foster?

Most of our foster homes foster one dog at a time or one litter of puppies.

How much money will it cost to foster a dog?

Nothing. Vet care is billed directly to H.E.L.P. We also provide a crate, food, toys, treats, and other supplies.

How will fostering affect my own pets?

No one can predict how your own pets will react, but if the pets are properly introduced, things usually work out fine (and we are here to give you guidance on how to do this). We make every effort to ensure there is a good match between the foster dog and the foster home.

H.E.L.P. works hard to ensure the health of our foster dogs. Still, there are times when a foster pet brings in a contagious illness. On the rare occasion that this happens, the illness is treated at H.E.L.P.’s expense. Nevertheless, we recommend that your pets be up to date on their shots and healthy before you bring a foster animal into your home.

Have a Question?

Have a question that was not addressed in our FAQ section? Use the form below to send a quick email to our staff.