Who Can Be a Foster Care Volunteer?

Our foster care volunteers come from all walks of life! No experience is necessary; we will train you! This program is perfect for families, college students seeking hands-on animal experience, busy professionals who can’t commit to pet guardianship, and senior citizens looking to put their experience to work. Foster volunteers must be willing and able to drive foster animals to the shelter at least weekly for regular health and behavior checkups.

How Do I Become a Foster Care Volunteer?

Anyone interested in becoming a foster care volunteer for Larimer Humane Society must attend one of our monthly volunteer orientations and the subsequent volunteer animal training (VAT) and foster care training classes. For more information on our volunteer orientation, and the dates of our upcoming volunteer orientations, please visit our volunteer information page.

Do I Need to Provide Any Supplies?

No. The shelter will provide you with all needed supplies including food, leashes, litterboxes, etc.; however, we do appreciate it if you are able to provide some supplies such as litter, leashes, etc. All items you purchase for foster animals are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. We do ask that you provide a spare bedroom or bathroom for your foster animal to live in. The shelter provides all veterinary care for foster animals.

Do I Need Special Skills or Training to Become a Foster Care Volunteer?

Our program is designed to suit your experience and interest levels. Some animals require medications and veterinary treatment and some just need a warm place to stay. We’ll work with you and your comfort level, provide you with necessary training, and we’re always available to answer your questions. All new foster volunteers start with fairly low-maintenance foster animals and work their way up to the more time-intensive foster experiences, if they wish.

What Types of Animals Need Foster Care?

Our most common foster animals are kittens with nursing queens, or weaned kittens and puppies that need a few weeks to grow strong before placement. We often have homeless adult cats and dogs suffering from treatable illnesses such as Upper Respiratory Infection or Kennel Cough, or animals recovering from surgery. On occasion, the foster animal may have been the victim of neglect or abuse and emotional as well as medical care will be needed. On occasion, we are in need of foster homes who can care for undersocialized small mammals (rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, etc.). Larimer Humane Society may also call upon foster volunteers to help reduce over-crowded conditions at the shelter.

How Long Will I be Fostering an Animal and What Type of Care is Involved?