Become a Foster
We offer a Foster Program to provide temporary care for animals not yet ready for adoption. Each year, around 1,500 animals benefit from loving foster homes. Fostering is rewarding and helps prepare animals for forever families.
Who Needs Foster Care?
- Kittens and puppies too young for spay/neuter
- Animals relinquished before weaning
- Recovering animals after illness or injury
- Animals needing socialization
- Mothers with their babies
Goals of Fostering
- Prevent euthanasia by caring for special-needs animals
- Provide a low-stress recovery environment
- Ensure kittens/puppies are weaned, vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and socialized
- Increase adoptability of animals with unknown histories or behavioral concerns
How Foster Care Works
- Animals stay in foster homes until the date on their contract. Every two weeks, fosters bring animals to the shelter for check-ups, weighing, and deworming if needed. Phone/email updates are welcome, but in-person check-ins every few weeks are required.
- Animals return to the VBSPCA when ready for adoption or on the contract date. The shelter may request early return if there are health concerns.
Foster Application Process
- Review Foster Home Responsibilities to ensure eligibility.
- Fill out the registration form and pay the fee. You’ll receive a confirmation email with the Foster Application link.
- Complete the application, electronically sign policies/waivers, and complete a background check.
- Receive your acceptance decision via email.
- Accepted fosters get a welcome letter with orientation instructions.
We offer a Foster Program to provide temporary care for animals not yet ready for adoption. Each year, around 1,500 animals benefit from loving foster homes. Fostering is rewarding and helps prepare animals for forever families.
Who Needs Foster Care?
- Kittens and puppies too young for spay/neuter
- Animals relinquished before weaning
- Recovering animals after illness or injury
- Animals needing socialization
- Mothers with their babies
Goals of Fostering
- Prevent euthanasia by caring for special-needs animals
- Provide a low-stress recovery environment
- Ensure kittens/puppies are weaned, vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and socialized
- Increase adoptability of animals with unknown histories or behavioral concerns
How Foster Care Works
- Animals stay in foster homes until the date on their contract. Every two weeks, fosters bring animals to the shelter for check-ups, weighing, and deworming if needed. Phone/email updates are welcome, but in-person check-ins every few weeks are required.
- Animals return to the VBSPCA when ready for adoption or on the contract date. The shelter may request early return if there are health concerns.
Foster Application Process
- Review Foster Home Responsibilities to ensure eligibility.
- Fill out the registration form and pay the fee. You’ll receive a confirmation email with the Foster Application link.
- Complete the application, electronically sign policies/waivers, and complete a background check.
- Receive your acceptance decision via email.
- Accepted fosters get a welcome letter with orientation instructions.