Humane Society of St. Lucie County
Foster Care Program
About our Foster Care Program
Fostering at the Humane Society of St. Lucie County is a vital part of our mission and lifesaving efforts. The shelter’s most vulnerable pets can benefit greatly from time spent away the shelter with special, individualized care. Our foster program matches people with pets in a variety of circumstances. As a foster you may care for:
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- Orphaned puppies or kittens
- Pets recovering from surgery
- Moms and their litters
- Pets in need of extra love and care
Fostering provides us with better insight into a pet’s personality, needs, and gives you the opportunity to snap amazing candid photos! All of this is used to increase a pet’s chances of adoption.
All of the pets in our care are eligible for foster. To view foster-ready pets, please click here.
Becoming a Foster
To be a foster, you must meet the following criteria:
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- Be at least 18 years old
- Have safe housing for your chosen foster pet
- Be able to transport them to and from appointments
- Compassion in your heart
Yes, that’s really it! We’ve made fostering an easy and accessible process for those who are looking to help. We’re committed to providing all necessities for your foster pet including, food, litter, medication, setting up appointments, and even guidance and training when necessary.
Ready to become part of our lifesaving mission? Click here or the button below to fill out our Foster Program Application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligible fosters are notified via email when we have:
- A pregnant mother
- A litter of orphaned babies
- A pet that needs medical support best provided in a home
- A pet that needs individualized behavioral support
- Any pet that may be struggling in a shelter environment
The email received by the Volunteer & Animal Resource Coordinator will contain the following information:
- Pet name, age, weight, and our best observation of personality
- Reason for foster, including medical concerns or requirements
- Approximate length of stay, including pickup and drop-off dates
If the pet sounds like a good match, you’ll be asked to reply to the email and follow the instructions provided by the Volunteer & Animal Resource Coordinator.
Absolutely! We work hard to match you with a dog or cat that is best suited to your environment. Please bring your dog, kiddo, or a blanket / toy that smells like your pet to your appointment.
You will not be required to complete a formal training course prior to fostering. All levels of experience are welcome and we will support you in learning!
Your foster pet cannot be placed in a boarding facility, cannot spend that time with friends or family, and they cannot be brought with you on a vacation. If you are going out of town, even if unexpectedly, inform our Volunteer & Animal Resource Coordinator know as soon as possible. From there, we will make arrangements to have the pet stay at the shelter. In some circumstances, we may allow the pet to stay with a sitter or rescue partner.
Let our Volunteer & Animal Resource Coordinator know as soon as possible! We can begin making a plan for the pet’s return or transition into another foster home with more notice.
Without a doubt, 100% yes! We know that sometimes the journey you embark on with a shelter pet results in a new chapter. And we support you all the way! There are no “foster fails” with us; only lifesaving decisions. If you would like to adopt your foster, notify our Volunteer & Animal Resource Coordinator as soon as you know.
We offer bottle-feeding training at the shelter with our Cat Care Team! To get more information, please send an email to our Volunteer & Animal Resource Coordinator.
We provide all the necessities for our fosters, including food, litter, and medication. You can shop our Foster Wishlist to hep bolster our reserve of supplies.
Have further questions? Get in touch with our Volunteer & Animal Resource Coordinator
Erin Sugrue | [email protected] | (772) 238-5631 ext. 7