Foster Volunteer Program
Foster volunteers play a huge role in helping save the lives of the animal that come to the shelter, ranging anywhere from kittens to horses. Our foster volunteers provide safe, clean, temporary homes for the animals waiting to become adopted! As a foster volunteer you help socialize, train, and love the fosters in your care! Fostering animals can be one of the most rewarding and exciting volunteer experiences!
Foster Care Programs
Click on a program to learn more about it!
As a kitten foster, you open your heart and home to kittens and mother cats in need when they are the most vulnerable and allow our organization to save cats and kittens that we otherwise might not be able to due to the limited resources of our organization. Without our valuable foster homes, many of the cats and kittens would not survive. Foster homes also free up space within the shelter, which means more lives are saved! Fostering is a messy, rewarding, stinky, adorable, and sometimes heartbreaking job with much to do from socializing young kittens, providing space for mother cats to raise their young, and caring for sick or injured cats as they heal. Foster animals have varying needs, so whether you work full time or spend most of your day at home, we’ll ensure that our foster animals are matched to your home and abilities.
Specific goals of the Kitten Foster Program include:
- Providing a safe, healthy, nurturing environment for kittens that come to the shelter with or without their mothers.
- Socializing shy or timid mother cats and/or kittens.
- Allowing mother cats to recover in a relaxing and uplifting environment.
As a puppy foster, you open your heart and home to puppies and mother dogs in need when they are the most vulnerable and allow our organization to save those that we otherwise might not be able to due to the limited resources of our organization. Without our valuable foster homes, many of the puppies would not survive. Foster homes also free up space within the shelter, which means more lives are saved! Fostering is a messy, rewarding, stinky, adorable, and sometimes heartbreaking job with much to do from socializing young puppies, providing space for mother dogs to raise their young, and caring for sick or injured puppies as they heal. Foster animals have varying needs, so whether you work full time or spend most of your day at home, we’ll ensure that our foster animals are matched to your home and abilities.
Specific goals of the Puppy Foster Program include:
- Providing a safe, healthy, nurturing environment for puppies that come to the shelter with or without their mothers.
- Socializing shy or timid puppies.
- Allowing mother dogs to recover in a relaxing and uplifting environment.
More information coming soon! Please call us at (360) 577-0151
As a Livestock foster, you open your home to different livestock in need when they are the most vulnerable and allow our organization to save those that we otherwise might not be able to due to the limited resources of our organization. Without our valuable foster homes, many of our livestock would not have as much room to roam and get the one-on-one care they need. Foster homes also free up space within the shelter, which means more lives are saved! Fostering is a messy, rewarding, stinky, adorable, and sometimes heartbreaking job with much to do from feeding and caring for animals of all ages, providing space for some animals to raise their young, and caring for sick or injured animals as they heal. Foster animals have varying needs, so whether you work full time or spend most of your day at home, we’ll ensure that our foster animals are matched to your home and abilities.
Specific goals of the Livestock Foster Program include:
- Providing a safe, healthy, secure environment for Livestock that come to the shelter.
- Socializing, feeding, and caring for livestock of all ages
- Allowing livestock to recover in a relaxing and uplifting environment where they will have the care they need, and the space to roam safely.
More information coming soon! Please call us at (360) 577-0151
Before you can foster, you must…
Be at least 18 years old
Be a resident of Cowlitz County
Interested in becoming a Foster Volunteer?
Click HERE to fill out an application. Paper applications are available at the shelter.
Questions? Contact us at volunteer@cowlitzhumane.com
FAQs
How long do animals stay in foster care?
Animals can stay in foster care for as little as a day or two, to an extended period, depending on the needs of the animal in your care and the time commitment you are interested in making.
Can I still foster if I have pets of my own?
Yes, depending on the animal you are fostering. Some animals may need to be kept in separate rooms (pregnant animals, kittens/puppies). Keep in mind that there is always the possibility of a health risk when exposing your pets to other animals in any setting. However, if your pets are in good health and current on vaccinations, the risk in minimal.
What expenses are involved in fostering an animal?
HSCC covers all medical care for animals in foster homes, including vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries and medications. As a foster volunteer you are responsible for the food, housing, and any other supplies acording to your foster group. We may be able to provide food and supplies, if needed.
What are your greatest foster needs?
Kittens! During kitten season (Spring through Fall) pregnant cats or young feral kittens that need to be bottle fed, are often brought into the shelter. Fosters are needed to raise and socialize these kittens until they are old enough to be adopted or placed at the shelter. Temporary medical care after surgical procedures and special needs pets.