Foster
Each year, the amazing fosters at Operation Kindness care for nearly 1,500 animals. Pets are placed in foster homes to help them grow, get socialized, and thrive.
FOSTER
Get Started
You can start fostering today with no experience necessary!
Fosters receive around-the-clock support from Operation Kindness staff members and all medical needs are taken care of at our on-site animal hospital.
To sign up, please submit the foster application.
Foster Opportunities
Puppies, Kittens, and Nursing Moms
Too young and vulnerable for the shelter environment, fosters keep pregnant and nursing moms, and newborn puppies and kittens in their home until they are old enough for adoption.
Bottle Babies
Bottle fosters are puppies and kittens 2-3 weeks old who are without their mother. They require bottle feeding for two weeks before transitioning to soft and solid food.
Adult Animals
Not every pet is ready for adoption when they arrive at Operation Kindness. Help an adult cat or dog by providing a temporary home before they become available for adoption.
Medical Animals
Provide care for animals recovering from medical treatment or surgery. All medical treatments take place in our on-site medical hospital or in partnership with another veterinary resource. We provide all needed supplies and medicine; you provide a quiet environment for the pet to recover in.
Behavioral Animals
With the training and guidance of Operation Kindness’ behavior team, assist dogs and cats who need a little more help before finding a loving home.
Shelter to Service Dogs
Operation Kindness and Dogs for Better Lives are partnering to train future assistance dogs.
Assistance dog fosters at Operation Kindness help shelter dogs have a second chance at a life-changing career as a service dog for someone in need. Dogs will be trained to serve as hearing assistance dogs across the United States.
Total fostering commitment is up to 7 months and fosters must commit to:
- Be willing to support the dog’s training.
- Communicate with the trainer how the dog is doing.
- Be open to training tips (positive reinforcement only).
- Have well-behaved dogs at home, or no dogs.
- Provide a loving home-life for the dog while in foster care.
- Build the dog’s confidence.
- Expose the dog to new experiences and sounds.
Interested? Complete the foster application to get started!
FOSTER
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do animals need to stay in foster care?
The typical foster stay is two weeks to two months, depending on the needs of the individual animal(s) in your care. The time frame of each foster situation will be discussed with you ahead of time.
Can I become a foster volunteer if I have pets of my own?
Yes, we welcome pet owners as fosters. With some fosters, specifically puppies, kittens and nursing mothers, we recommend keeping shelter animals separate from your pets. This helps prevent stress and the spread of illness. The risk of spreading illness is greatly reduced if your animals are current on their annual vaccines.
What costs are involved in foster care?
Operation Kindness provides all medical care and all supplies such as food, crate, kitty litter and toys. Foster families provide housing and a safe place to stay. They also provide exercise, socialization, and lots of love!
THEY FOUND LOVING HOMES
Success Stories
Our greatest joy is pairing pets with loving homes. While we love every single animal in our care, we hope to see them leave one day. The way we see it, animals don’t belong in a shelter – they belong in a home.