Fostering is a rewarding and enriching experience that provides pets with a loving, temporary home while they’re waiting to be adopted. Time commitments for foster care can range from a couple of days to several months. To learn more about our current foster parents, check out our Foster of the Month.
Become a Pet Foster Parent!
We’re currently looking for new Foster Parents! If you’re over 18 and would like to get started fostering, check out the details below to learn more about the kind of foster homes we’re looking for and how to apply.
Before You Apply
At this time, we are only in need of foster homes for pets with medical or behavioral health needs (sometimes both). Healthy pets with no behavioral quirks don’t often need to spend time in a foster home, as they are usually adopted within a few days of arriving at the shelter.
Some examples of the kinds of pets who need foster the most:
- Underage kittens with diarrhea who need supplemental syringe feeding and multiple oral medications.
- Large dogs who are reactive to other animals, who need a home without children or other pets, and a foster parent willing to follow a behavior management plan.
- Animals with ringworm who need regular lime dip treatments and frequent sanitizing of their living space.
We are most in need of foster parents who have experience or are willing to learn to medicate animals and work with medical and/or behavioral issues (our staff are happy to teach!).
If you are not interested in fostering these types of animals we suggest you look into fostering with other rescues or shelters, as Seattle Humane is unlikely to have pets available for you to foster. If you are interested in fostering these types of pets, we could really use your help!
Interested?
If you would like to join our community of foster parents, be sure to visit our Volunteering page to apply!
Questions?
Please email [email protected] or call (425) 649-7557.
FAQs
Can I foster even if I work a full-time job?
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.
