Foster a Pet

Why Foster

Fostering saves lives. Whether you volunteer to care for a litter of orphaned kittens or give an adult dog a break from the kennel, you are making a difference in the life of an animal in need. Fostering fills a critical gap. Young kittens need more care than can be provided in the shelter environment. Scientific studies have shown that adult animals are adopted more quickly after a break from the shelter. 

We provide all the training, supplies, veterinary care and support. You provide a temporary safe and loving home.

If you can’t foster but still want to support our program, consider donating an item off our wishlist.

I want to foster!
Dog

Large Dogs

Currently, we are most in need of foster homes for bigger dogs. By providing a minimum two-week commitment to foster a large dog, you’ll be giving them a break from the shelter and providing us with important information about what that dog is like in a home environment, which will help us find them a forever home.

I want to foster!

Dogs, Cats & Critters

Shelter Break

You can make a difference in the life of a homeless pet by temporarily opening up your home to a dog, cat or rabbit. Fostering gives our longer-term residents a welcome break from the kennel and provides prospective adopters with helpful information about how that pet behaves in a home. We provide you with all the supplies you’ll need to care for your foster pet. Foster a pet for as little as a couple of days or as long as a few weeks.

Medical

We regularly need foster parents to help animals recover from injury or illness in a home environment. Our foster coordinator and medical team will work with you to ensure you are comfortable with the at-home care your foster pet needs. We will provide all the supplies and medical treatments for your foster pet. Recovery time varies on the needs of the individual animal.

Behavior

The shelter environment can be a stressful place, and for some pets this means they develop behaviors that stand in the way of adoption. With the help of our training team, behavior foster parents provide a structured home environment to help pets thrive while they look for a new home.

I want to foster!

Kittens & Puppies

Each year, Pasadena Humane takes in hundreds of kittens in need of foster care. Orphaned kittens under two months old and nursing moms with litters spend 2 to 8 weeks in a foster home before they are ready to be placed for adoption.

Many of the foster kittens are already eating solid food on their own. We also need foster parents who can care for bottle babies, as these most fragile kittens need round-the-clock feeding and care that we are unable to provide at the shelter.

We also occasionally need foster homes for underage puppies and nursing cat and dog moms with litters.

I want to foster!

Dog Fieldtrips & Sleepovers

Looking to give a dog a break from the shelter, but can’t commit to a long-term foster? Pasadena Humane offers two short-term foster opportunities that have proven to reduce stress in dogs and help them find new homes more quickly.

Foster Sleepover

Invite a shelter pup over for sleepover! Just two nights away from the shelter is scientifically proven to substantially reduce stress levels in dogs, making them more adoptable when they return to the shelter. Sleepovers can be as short as one night or as long as a few nights. We provide all the supplies and support, you provide the fun!

Foster Field Trip

Take a shelter dog on a short adventure! Visit a local hiking trail, visit a pet-friendly business, or take an afternoon stroll at the park. Our staff will provide you with training and all the supplies you’ll need, including harness, leash and “adopt me” accessories for the pup. Foster Field Trips are offered by appointment only.

I want to foster!

Upcoming Foster Events

Foster Kittens 101

Learn all about fostering neonatal kittens at our Foster Kittens 101 workshop on Saturday, September 21! During this FREE 45-minute session, our foster team will teach you the ins and outs of caring for bottle babies and demonstrate proper bottle-feeding technique. All ages are welcome to attend.

Workshops will run every 45 minutes throughout the duration of this event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Click here to RSVP for your preferred time slot.

Foster FAQ

  • The main foster volunteer must be at least 18 years old and complete foster training.
  • You must be able to follow rules and guidelines provided in the foster handbook and/or by shelter staff. 
  • You must have reliable transportation for bringing your foster animal(s) to the shelter for regular appointments and to the vet in case of emergency.

How long you keep your foster pet depends on the needs of the animal and your availability. Our foster team will match you with a pet that fits your availability and lifestyle.

Yes. If you fall in love and want to keep your foster pet, you will have the first chance to adopt. We also encourage foster parents to find adopters for their foster pets. Let our foster team know if you have a friend, neighbor, family member, etc., who wants to adopt your foster animal.

Yes! Depending on the type of animal you foster, we may ask you to keep your foster animals separate from you resident pets. This is especially true for unvaccinated kittens & puppies with developing immune systems. 

Yes, we provide everything you need for your foster pet. This includes food, bowls, bedding, toys, crates, litter, litter pans, etc. All routine medical care, except in cases of emergency, will be done at Pasadena Humane. If you’d like to purchase your own supplies, the foster team can provide you with a list of what to buy. 

Yes, we have a 24-hour emergency hotline for foster parents.

No, we welcome foster parents from throughout the Los Angeles area. But please note, all appointments are done at Pasadena Humane.

Donate an item off our Amazon Wish List!

Sign up for our email newsletter

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Questions? Contact us at foster@pasadenahumane.org