Sometimes, animals aren’t yet ready for our adoption program—like puppies or kittens under eight weeks old. Sometimes, animals get sick or injured and need special care. And other times, our shelter is simply filled to capacity.

That’s when our Foster Care program volunteers swoop in to save the day.

How it works:

• We receive a dog or cat that, for some reason, can’t be immediately placed up for adoption. Our clinic staff will evaluate each animal to determine their individual care requirements.
• Foster homes are called. The first willing foster home will come to AHS and pick up the animal—along with all available information and supplies.
• The animal goes to the foster home until they are ready for adoption. You may need to bring the animals back to the shelter periodically for medical check-ups.
• The animal is returned to the Austin Humane Society and placed up for adoption.
• The animal gets adopted.
• The animal lives happily ever after.

Becoming a Foster Volunteer

First, you need to attend a Volunteer Orientation. The orientation will allow you to learn everything you need to know about caring for a foster animal, while meeting our staff and getting an up-close look at what AHS does. If you are already a volunteer and are interested in fostering, please contact fostercare@austinhumanesociety.org.

Upcoming Foster Orientations:

• Saturday, January 7th 1:00pmThursday, January 19th, 5:30pmSaturday, January 7th 1:00pm
• Thursday, January 19th, 5:30pm

SIGN UP NOW!

Things to Consider Before Becoming a Foster:

• Will you have time to spend with the animals? Most of them will be in need of your time, compassion, and trained handling. Expect to spend 1-2 hours per day (minimum!) with each animal. Socializing is vital to an animal’s success in being adopted.
• Do you already have animals? If so, you’ll need to keep your foster animals separated from your pets. Even vaccinated, young dogs and cats are still vulnerable to illness. Keeping them in a separate room with no carpeting is best, but they can’t be left in garages or patios.
• Do you have time to clean up after your foster animals? Puppies and kittens are always doing one of five things: eating, sleeping, playing, peeing or pooping.
• Will you be emotionally prepared to return them to AHS when they’re ready for adoption? Usually, this is the most difficult part of the process. It’s easy to become attached to foster animals. But (a) you can always foster another animal, and (b) your work is critical to these animals finding permanent, loving homes.