Provide pets with a loving, temporary home while they’re waiting to be adopted.
Become a Pet Foster Parent!
Fostering is a rewarding and enriching experience that offers a great opportunity for families or individuals who love animals, but cannot commit to having a full-time pet.
Time commitments for foster care can range from a couple of days to several months. You can foster as much or as little as you like for a wide variety of animals including kittens, puppies, cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and other small critters. All you need is a little extra space and some spare time. We provide all supplies, full medical care and behavioral support if needed.
Want to learn more about our current foster parents? Check out our Foster of the Month!
Interested?
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, our foster program is not currently accepting new volunteers. Please submit the Volunteer Interest Form and select the checkbox indicating that you are interested in the Foster Program. Once our applications reopen, a member of our Foster Program team will reach out to you with details and next steps.
Yes! In fact, most of our fostering families work full-time jobs! While some of our animals may need more round-the-clock care or mid-day medications, most of them will be just fine while you're away for the day. If you have any time restrictions, we encourage you to tell us. We are happy to find the match who’s best for your home.
How much time do I need to spend with my foster animal?
The amount of time an animal needs each day will vary depending on their energy level, and medical or behavioral needs. You should be prepared to spend at least one hour a day a day socializing, playing, feeding and caring for your foster pet.
What supplies will Seattle Humane provide?
Seattle Humane is typically able to provide you with all the supplies necessary for fostering an animal. However, keep in mind that many of our supplies are donation based and of limited quantity. Therefore, if you are able purchase your own supplies, our program will be able to reallocate supplies to other families that may not be able to purchase their own.
Can I foster if I have my own resident animals?
Yes! However, we encourage you to keep your resident animals separate from your fostered animals.
Can my fostered pet interact with my resident animals?
Seattle Humane's official recommendation is that you keep your foster animals and resident animals separate from one another. This is the safest option for preventing the spread of disease and for reducing the chances of any personality conflicts. However, we do understand that it is often difficult to keep animals totally separate from one another. Decide what is best for your home. Should you choose to integrate your foster animal into your own home, please talk to us to discuss appropriate introduction techniques.
How long will my foster animal stay in my care?
An animal's length of stay is totally dependent on their reason for being in foster care. Typically, we should be able to give you a time estimate. If you have any time restrictions or preferences, please let us know and we will pick an animal that best aligns with your schedule.
