Hello
We want every animal brought to us to have a chance for a long and happy life. Shelters can be very stressful places for pets, and that stress can weaken immune systems and increase vulnerability to illness. Foster homes provide a less stressful housing option that can often speed recovery, minimize behavioral deterioration and increase chances of adoption. Because of our limited resources and personnel, we are not able to care for the many sick, injured and very young but otherwise adoptable animals as we would like to. Foster care will allow some of the young ones to grow and the sick and injured to heal. In addition, utilizing foster homes for any eligible animals exponentially increases the capacity of our shelter. The foster care program brings caring individuals and animals in need together, providing care in a home setting until the animals are ready for adoption.
Foster Program
Foster homes play an incredibly important role in helping us care for animals who need a little extra time, attention, or a quieter environment outside the shelter. By opening your home temporarily, you help create space in the shelter and give animals the individualized care they need while they prepare for adoption.
All foster volunteers are recruited, onboarded, and supported by HSBC staff. When an animal is identified as a candidate for foster care, we work with approved foster volunteers to determine the best placement for that animal.
Because we operate as a Fear Free Shelter, all volunteers who will have direct interaction with animals—including foster volunteers—are required to complete Fear Free Shelter Certification before fostering. This training is completed online and typically takes five to six hours to complete. The certification helps ensure consistent handling, and that animals in foster homes receive care that minimizes stress and supports their emotional wellbeing.
Foster Care Expectations
Foster homes provide daily care, monitoring, and a safe environment for the animals placed with them. However, it is important for foster volunteers to understand that HSBC maintains oversight of all care decisions.
This includes:
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Decisions about medical care and treatment
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Decisions regarding diagnostics, medications, or surgery
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Determining the best outcome for the animal based on prognosis and available resources
HSBC provides foster volunteers with a designated contact for medical questions or emergencies.
Foster parents should not take animals to an outside veterinarian without authorization from the shelter. Veterinary visits, diagnostic testing, or treatments performed without prior approval will not be reimbursed.
Animals Eligible for Foster Care
Many different animals may benefit from foster care depending on their needs and the availability of foster homes. Animals that may be placed in foster homes include:
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Very young kittens or puppies, when approved by the veterinarian and shelter manager
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Animals with a treatable illness that would benefit from recovery in a home environment
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Animals recovering from a treatable injury that requires time and supportive care
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Adoptable animals who may benefit from time outside the shelter environment
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Animals with minor behavioral challenges, placed with experienced foster volunteers and approved by the shelter leadership
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Other animals as recommended by the veterinarian and shelter leadership
Interested in Becoming a Foster?
Fostering can be one of the most rewarding ways to help animals in need. If you are interested in opening your home to a shelter animal and becoming part of the HSBC foster network, we would love to hear from you.