Foster Volunteer
Saving Lives in Your Spare Room
Why should you foster a pet? Foster “Parents” provide temporary care for cats, kittens, dogs and puppies in their own homes around the Hampton Roads area. Some animals need as little as two weeks of care, while others may need care for up to three months.
Your volunteer contributions allow HHS to continue to save as many animal lives as possible. We THANK YOU for your compassion and commitment and welcome you to our foster family!
Pets are placed into foster care for many reasons. They may be too young, they may be sick or injured, or they may need socialization or training. HHS also sends pets to foster care to help open up kennel space so more pets can be pulled from area shelters.
Animals that Need Foster Help
Cats & Kittens
Care for orphaned kittens, pregnant cats, and nursing mothers with their kittens. Orphaned kittens come to the shelter at different ages. Some still need to be bottle-fed (additional training required), and some are weaned and need a foster home until they are old enough to get spayed/neutered. The foster program also helps cats and kittens needing to go into foster homes for medical or socialization reasons. Our busiest time at the shelter is during “kitten season” which typically runs from May to October. This is usually when we are need of the most foster volunteers.
Dogs & Puppies
Care for puppies without a mother, pregnant dogs, and nursing mothers with their puppies. The foster volunteers also helps dogs and puppies needing foster homes for medical or socialization reasons.
Small Animals
Small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs benefit in a foster home where they are provide with more socialization time to prepare them for adoption.
Relief Care
Dogs, cats, and small animals who need a break from the shelter. Relief care is usually at least a two week time commitment.
How to Become a Foster Volunteer
Be of age. The primary caregiver of the foster animal(s) must be at least 18 years old.
Be in the area. Foster volunteers must be able to get to our shelter on a regular basis for check-ups.
Apply online. Submit our online application (see below).
Attend the foster orientation. Once you submit the online application a staff member will contact you via email with information about our upcoming foster orientations. New foster volunteers are required to attend the orientation prior to becoming an active foster volunteer.
Start saving lives. A staff member will contact you when a foster animal that suits your lifestyle is in need of help.