Welcome to the Humane Society for Southwest Washington

Foster Care Programs Updated: July 7, 2010 2:31 PM


Want to learn more about the Foster Care Program? Attend an upcoming Foster Care Orientation class and learn about the basics of the program and everything you need to know to get started.
The next class will be held on: TBA
Please RSVP to 360.213.2626 or email us .

Open your heart and your home... During the spring and summer months it isn’t uncommon for us to take in over 80 animals every day. Our Foster Care program helps saves thousands of lives and with your help, we can save even more. Animals too young for surgery or those who are sick or injured are placed with compassionate and caring foster families until they are ready to find a loving, forever home. Being a Foster Care Volunteer takes dedication but can be an extremely rewarding experience.

Is the Foster Care program right for me? Being a foster care parent is more than just providing a place to sleep at night. There are many things to consider before taking home your first foster animal.

	Are you ready to commit to fostering for a period that suits the animal’s needs? Fostering lengths can vary from a few weeks to a few months depending on the needs of your foster animal. You can choose which type of foster animal best suits your life style and we understand that unforeseen circumstances may disrupt your fostering period, but it is imperative that you only take on foster animals with the understanding that you will see them through to the end.

	Are you ready for the clean-up factor and risk of damage to your home? As with most pets, foster animals can be very unpredictable - especially puppies and kittens. If not supervised properly, foster animals can ruin drapes, chew on furniture, claw at carpets and dig up your garden. Not to mention the whole potty training thing...

	Are you able to spend quality time with your foster animal? There is more to fostering than providing shelter and three square meals a day. Many foster animals are in need of socialization and that may even be the primary reason they were admitted to the foster care program. As a foster parent, you should be prepared to welcome your foster animal into not only your home, but your life. Foster animals that are used to people adjust better and faster to a new family making the transition from foster home to forever home even easier.

	Have you considered the well-being of your own pets? Fostering can take away a lot of time and attention from pets that you may already have in your home. It may also be necessary to separate your foster animals from your pets because of medical or behavioral issues. Have you considered the impact that bringing a foster animal into your home might have on your own pets?

	Are you financially able to take on a foster care animal? The Humane Society has limited funding and we rely on our foster care families to pick up the cost of caring for a foster animal. When supplies are available, the Humane Society may be able to provide you with limited supplies to get you started but the daily costs of caring for your foster animal will be your responsibility. Because the Humane Society for Southwest Washington is a nonprofit animal shelter, money spent on caring for your foster animal is tax-deductible.

	Are you emotionally ready to take home a foster animal? It can be difficult to let go of your foster animal at the end of the fostering period. You need to be sure that you will be able to bring your foster animal back to the Humane Society when requested. Although it is very rare, as a foster parent, you need to be emotionally prepared for the possibility of a foster animal dying while in your care.

Ready to take on a foster animal? If you are ready to become a foster parent and help us save thousands of lives every year, please download the foster care volunteer application, fill it out and return it to the shelter. Once your application is received, you will be contacted to arrange a time for you to attend the next foster care training class. If you have additional questions regarding the foster care program, please contact our Coordinator of Volunteer Services at 360.693.4746 x 326 or by email.