Our Initiatives
Join Us to Make a Difference
RESCUE
Devotion to saving the lives of companion animals in need, especially when it seems there is nowhere to turn
LOVE
Reinforcing Our Commitment with kindness, compassion, and generous care
REPEAT
Step-by-Step conquering invidividual challenges so companion animals can reach their forever family
There's a Fit for Every Foster!
Unweaned Kittens and Puppies
Weaned Kittens and Puppies
Moms with a Litter
We often receive puppies and kittens that require bottle feeding, weight gain, and care in a safe location removed from the illness and stressors that may be present in any animal care facility. These babies receive feedings based on nutritional guidelines for the ages. The foster assists them as they grow and often helps them to wean in place of their mother.
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TIME COMMITMENT: 4 to 8 Weeks
Weaned kittens and puppies are almost ready to make their mark on the world and in the home of a new family. To follow veterinary guidelines for safety during spay and neuter these babies are generally over 1LB but under 2LBS. They move into foster for temporary placement until they have reached 8 weeks of age and the appropriate weight for spay and neuter surgery.
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TIME COMMITMENT: 2 to 4 Weeks
At times the shelter will intake a mom with very young babies who still need to be with her. As both puppies and kittens always thrive best with mom, puppies and kittens will move to foster to remain with their mother until they are weaned.
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TIME COMMITMENT: 2-8 Weeks
Socialization
Some puppies, kittens, cats and dogs may come to the shelter with basic behavioral issues that require additional help prior to adoption. Many times, animals arriving from hoarding cases, for instance, will require time in care to become more comfortable with people and other pets. This category also includes animals who become distressed when kenneled, require enrichment, or cats arriving from an outdoor environment who are over 2 LBS but still to young to live a life outdoors.
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TIME COMMITMENT: 3 Weeks to 2 Months
Medical and Recovery
Basic medical cases are always best served in a foster home, due to shelters having many animals and an environment that may create stress and lower health. Fosters take basic medical cases that involve administering basic medications to animals and these animals remain in the home until they are medically cleared and ready to return to the shelter for adoption.
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More complicated medical cases may require long-term weight loss, physical therapy or rehabilitation after cruelty or neglect.
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TIME COMMITMENT: 10 Days to 3 Months
Kids With a Cause
Kids with a Cause allows children under the age of 16 to learn to foster in the home and receive volunteer hours for their community while fostering with their parents.
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This program also allows parents an opportunity to determine if they feel their children are ready to have a permanent family pet in the house.
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Kids With a Cause is a wonderful program to help children become stewards for companion animals.
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TIME COMMITMENT: 3 Days to 8 Weeks
Protective Custody Foster
Protective Custody is a foster program that is critical for long-term cases but is also the most uncertain regarding timelines. Protective Custody cases are legally required to remain under shelter care until certain legal proceedings have been completed. All fosters joining protective custody programs must have been a foster for a month prior to the request, and they must be willing to allow a home visit to ensure the home complies for these cases, often legal in nature. Often, these cases may involve animals who may not have received adequate care.
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TIME COMMITMENT: Special. Until Case Completion.
Puppy Love Link-Ups
The doggy day trip allows dogs to adventure with community members outside of the animal shelter. These breaks are much needed for animals to maintain good health, enrichment, and comfort.
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TIME COMMITMENT: Less than 8 hours. Families pre-schedule with the foster coordinator the night before and come visit the shelter the following morning. The foster chooses a dog for an adventure and returns him or her to the animal shelter by 4:30 PM the same day!
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Sleepovers
Adoption sleepovers are a fantastic way for shelter animals to practice their skills at home. This provides animals the opportunity to leave the shelter and spend time with a friend or with a family to help prepare them for adoption. This is a much-needed opportunity to relax and unwind!
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TIME COMMITMENT: 24-72 Hours
Adoption Ambassadors
An adoption ambassador befriends an animal in shelter care, either a dog or cat in need and allows the foster to complete their shelter stay inside the home. Adoption Ambassadors work hard marketing their fosters through social media, time outside of the house with the foster pet, as well as with their friends and family who may be interested in adoption.
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TIME COMMITMENT: Until Adoption or a Predesignated Time Given at Pick-Up
