Foster Care: Help Us Help Them

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Foster Care: Help Us Help Them

Foster care volunteers provide temporary care for kittens, puppies, dogs and cats. Some animals may only need a home for several days, while others may need several months of care. By offering your time, energy, and home to an animal in need, you prepare an animal for adoption into a permanent home as well as prevent overcrowding in our shelter.

The Sacramento SPCA is always looking for foster families. Learn more by watching the short video and reviewing information found below.

Foster care choices

Foster candidates are carefully matched with foster homes according to the candidate’s special needs and the foster parent’s abilities. Whether you work full time or you spend most of your time at home, we’ll help match you with a foster animal that fits your lifestyle.

*** We’re currently in critical need of volunteers who will foster
large dogs with kennel cough.***

We recommend that foster parents with their own companion animals keep them isolated from their fosters. A separate room or enclosed area with no carpet works best. For example, a warm spare bedroom or laundry room is an excellent place to foster a cat or kittens.

Support and resources to help you

The Sacramento SPCA will offer as much training as needed as well as supplies to ensure your success as a foster parent. Our foster parents are each given a foster care manual and a 24-hour emergency phone number. Help is always available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What animals need foster care?

Hairless puppy in sweater

  • Kittens or puppies that are too young to be adopted
  • Nursing cats and dogs
  • Animals awaiting adoption
  • Ill or injured animals that may need regular medication or medical attention
  • Animals susceptible to stress from a shelter environment

What are the requirements to be a foster parent?

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Fill out and sign a foster care application
  • Attend a foster parent training session

Are there any expenses incurred by foster parents?

Foster parents receive all the supplies necessary to care for their foster animal, including food, bedding and crates as well as any medicine needed. Our veterinary staff is also readily available to provide any medical care the animal may need while in your care.

Why should I become a foster parent?

A foster parent has one of the most important jobs in animal welfare. Foster parents allow our animals to receive the proper care and attention they deserve as they wait for adoption.

As a foster parent you’ll not only save the lives of animals in your care, but you’ll give other animals coming into the shelter who may not need the same level of medical attention a space on our adoption floor to find their own loving homes.

Ready to be a foster parent?

Fill out the application online!