Foster
Many of our animals have special needs that make shelter living particularly hard on them. Animals that are very young, sick, injured, or those that are terribly shy often fare better in a home environment. Foster parents take these animals into their homes and care for them until they are ready to return to the shelter or a permanent home.
We also have a new Sleepover Foster program which pairs adoptable dogs that are having a hard time finding homes with foster parents willing to take them home for a short stay. It can be a few hours to a few days, so we can see how they are in a home. We ask that the foster parents take pictures, fill out a short behavior survey, and send us a write-up that we can use to promote the dog and find them their best adoptive home.
The goal of the Foster Care Program is to improve the adoptability of these animals and ultimately help them find permanent loving homes.
As a Foster Care provider, the time and love you offer provides the animals in your care with the nurturing they desperately need. The positive influence you will have will help instill and intensify the animal-human bond that is essential in a well-adjusted pet. Your influence may be the key element to helping these animals become suitable for adoption.
We welcome foster parents from other counties and states, as long as you're able to get your foster animals to the shelter for both routine medical care (every 2-3 weeks) and if any emergencies crop up.
How can you become a Foster Care provider?
If you have more questions, please review the FAQ about Foster Care.
When you're ready, please fill out the Foster Care Application located below the video. Once you have watched the video and submitted the application, you will receive a welcome email within 15 minutes that will give you some additional information, and will tell you how to go to “On Deck” to get your first fosters!
Filling out the form does not commit you to being a foster parent. If you have questions not covered in the FAQ or the video, please contact our Foster Care team at FosterCare@hswcmd.org.