Foster Care Program
Our foster families provide life-changing support for our special needs companion animals. Our program places especially young, frightened, undersocialized, or special medical needs companion animals into short-term homes to receive individualized extra care until they are ready for adoption. We provide the veterinary care, behavioral support, foster training, and anything else our animal may need - you provide the safe, caring home environment.
We are actively recruiting temporary foster homes. If you are interested in participating, or if you have questions, please contact Julie Herman, Foster Care Coordinator, at foster@escondidohumanesociety.org. She will send you more information and talk with you about our life-changing foster program.
What animals qualify for the program?
Stressed
Animals: Animals who have been at the shelter and show signs of behavioral
or physical changes due to the stress.
Young Animals: Puppies and
kittens less than 8 weeks of age. This also includes nursing mothers
and her puppies or kittens.
Injured or Sick Animals: Animals with
temporary but treatable health problems, such as those with fractures,
wounds, or are under-weight or emaciated.
Under-socialized Animals:
Young animals who have not been socialized well to people or
other animals.
Animals for Overpopulation: Healthy animals for whom
there is no space in the shelter. This also includes animals going
to breed rescue.
Other animals: Any other animal deemed appropriate
by shelter management.
For the safety of our foster families, animals who show aggressive behavior toward people do not qualify for our foster care program.
Who does the Foster Care Program benefit?
The animals: Foster care for shelter animals has a direct impact on the number of homeless animals saved each year. Animals that otherwise may have been euthanized can be adopted into permanent, loving homes. These animals also start out with a stronger training background and wider socialization, which will help them become the best possible pet.
The volunteers: Although foster care can be difficult, it is an incredibly rewarding experience. Each time a foster animal is adopted, you gain the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped another animal find a lifelong home when it may have otherwise been euthanized. This is a great opportunity for people who want to help, but don't have the time to spend at the shelter. It is a flexible volunteer position that allows you to choose the type of animal you are comfortable sharing your home with.
The community: Foster care provides the community a larger segment of healthy, socialized animals. In addition, as a result of foster care by volunteers the public becomes more educated on animal health and care issues.
What are the Requirements to become an EHS Foster Care Volunteer?
To become a volunteer, you must first:
Fill out a foster care application and have it approved by the program
coordinator.
Attend a foster care volunteer orientation.
Attend training
based on the animal you foster (kitten, puppy, adult dog).
Have landlord
approval if necessary.
Host an annual home visit completed by EHS
staff.
Have adequate space and time to care for foster animals.
Be
willing to spend a large amount of time and energy with an animal
that will be returning to the shelter for adoption.
Responsibilities of an EHS Foster Care Volunteer
Provide food, water, socialization, training, exercise, and administer
medication for foster animals
(The Escondido Humane
Society provides all food and medication.)
Provide a secure home for
the animal(s). This may include isolation from household animals.
Ensure that all household animals are healthy and current of vaccines.
Observe foster animals and report any problems or questions to the
foster care program coordinator. Also, understand that veterinary
care cannot be sought without receiving the express approval of EHS
managers beforehand.
Return all animals to EHS as scheduled or requested
by EHS management.
Comply with EHS's philosophies and policies, and
act as a representative of EHS.
Make a commitment to the foster care
program and the animals it helps. Although the length of foster care
will vary according to the animal's need, volunteers are asked to
commit to caring for one foster care case per year to remain active.
Three Golden Retriever sisters play in an EHS foster home. These sisters were recuperating from abandonment and, after a few weeks in a safe and loving home, were happily adopted!
Young animals, like this kitten, greatly benefit from round-the-clock TLC in foster care.
Please fax completed foster care applications to (760) 653-4923
or e-mail Julie Herman at foster@escondidohumanesociety.org.
Featured foster
Name:
Vitals:
ID #:
Sera
11-year-old female pit bull mix
45495
My story:
Please contact foster care coordinator Julie Herman at julieh@escondidohumane
society.org to learn more about me.
Sera likes to take it easy and lounge in the shade. Sera is as easy and pleasant as a summer breeze. She will be sure to put a smile on your face and be your best buddy. She's one of our sweetest seniors, and we would so love to find her a home with a sunny backyard and a soft cozy dog bed to nap in.
Escondido Humane Society | 3450 East Valley Parkway, Escondido CA 92027 | (760) 888 - BARK / (760) 888-2275
Adoption Center open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week; Animal Control open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week
Sign up for
eNews and alerts
