Foster Care
Not ready to adopt? Consider becoming a foster parent. You can make an immediate and lasting impact on an animal’s life as a foster parent. Foster parents provide crucial loving care and housing for animals in need of a quiet space and individual attention. Our program finds temporary and long-term homes for animals that might need extra time and a chance to thrive before finding their forever homes. Animals get one-on-one attention in the comfort of your home, which can be just what they need to relax and heal. Fosters also provide hospice care to animals that have a limited time left due to age or medical issues.
What are foster parents?
Foster parents are volunteers of La Plata County Humane Society who temporarily host animals with medical or behavioral needs, mothers nursing their litters, underage animals that need special feeding and socialization, or elderly animals.
Animals may need foster care for many reasons, primarily if the animal is:
- Too young
- Pregnant
- Injured
- Recovering from illness
- Senior animals
- Animals that need socialization
- Animals waiting to be transferred
- Animals transferred into La Plata County Humane Society from surrounding areas and other shelters
Foster Policies
- Must be 21-years of age or older
- Have consent from your landlord, if renting
- All household pets must be up-to-date on their vaccinations
- Have a dedicated space where foster pets an be isolated from other pets and which can be sterilized
- Understand fosters must be isolated from other pets for at least 7-10 days
- Inform Foster Coordinator if you move to a new residence
- Understand young fosters have not been fully vaccinated and need to be kept on a clean surface. We prefer animals are not brought outside, bur if you must, please keep them on a sterile surface outside.
- Have adequate transportation to and from the shelter, while foster animals(s) are in your care
- Allow LPCHS team member to inspect the area of the home in which the foster animal(s) will be kept
Join The “Buddy” Program!
What is the “Buddy” promise?
Buddies, commit to one dog in the kennel and agree to spend time with that dog, at least once a week, until they are adopted. Individuals, families and businesses can become a “Buddy”!
What can a “Buddy” do?
Buddies can take their shelter dog on walks, hikes, car rides and even overnight.
How do I become a “Buddy”?
Complete the Foster Application.
How to Apply
Complete and submit a Foster Care Application. You may also fill out an application at our shelter. If you have any questions or concerns prior to completing your application, please call (970) 259-2847 x109 or speak with a team member on duty.
Download and carefully read the Foster Care Handbook & Quick Guide.
After your application has been submitted and reviewed, you will be contacted by our Foster Coordinator to schedule an interview and a home visit. La Plata County Humane Society and state law require a home visit for all new foster parents. During this visit, our Foster Care team will come to your home to get to know you and your family.
Congratulations on becoming foster parent!
As animals become available for foster, you will receive communication with details about the pets available and you may choose to foster as you prefer. You will receive support from our Foster Care team and Medical Services team.
Questions?
Contact our Foster Care team by email at foster@lpchumanesociety.org or by phone at (970) 259-2847 x109.
