Family Crisis Pet Foster Program
Sometimes keeping a family together means keeping their pet safe until they can come home.
A family crisis should not have to end with the loss of a beloved pet.
Hospitalization. Domestic violence. House fires.
Temporary homelessness. Natural disasters.
Family emergencies.
When life suddenly falls apart,
families may have nowhere safe for their animals to go.
Temporary foster homes can give them something incredibly important:
time.
Family Preservation
Safety
Compassion
Reunification
Second Chances
Why This Program Matters
The animal is not always homeless.
Sometimes the family is simply in crisis.
People love their animals during difficult times
just as much as they do during good ones.
But emergencies do not always leave time
to make arrangements.
A person may suddenly be hospitalized.
A family may lose its home in a fire.
Someone escaping domestic violence
may discover that emergency housing cannot accept animals.
A senior may enter rehabilitation unexpectedly.
A family may be displaced
while trying to find stable housing.
Temporary foster care can keep
a temporary crisis
from becoming a permanent separation.
Keep The Pet. Protect The Bond.
These are family pets waiting for their families to recover.
This program is different from traditional animal fostering.
The goal is not to prepare an animal for adoption.
The goal is to provide safe temporary care
while the pet’s family works through an emergency —
and then help reunite them.
Temporary
Placements may range from a short emergency stay
to several weeks or longer,
depending on the family’s circumstances
and the foster home’s availability.
Safe
We work to match animals with homes
that can safely accommodate their species,
size, temperament,
household animals, and individual needs.
Reunification-Focused
The goal is to return the animal
to the family that loves them
when the crisis has stabilized
and reunification is appropriate.
When A Family May Need Temporary Pet Care
Crisis can happen to anyone.
MEDICAL
Hospitalization
Unexpected hospitalization,
rehabilitation,
surgery, illness,
or another medical emergency.
SAFETY
Domestic Violence
A person may need to leave quickly
for safety while facing limited
pet-friendly emergency housing options.
HOME
Fire Or Disaster
House fires,
severe weather,
natural disasters,
or another emergency
can suddenly make a home unlivable.
HOUSING
Temporary Displacement
Families experiencing temporary homelessness,
eviction, relocation,
or unstable housing
may need time to regain stability.
SENIORS
Senior Pet Owners
Older adults may suddenly need
hospitalization, rehabilitation,
caregiver support,
or temporary placement themselves.
CRISIS
Family Emergency
Sometimes circumstances do not fit
neatly into a category.
Families can still need temporary help.
One Spare Room Can Change The Outcome
You do not have to foster forever to make an enormous difference.
Sometimes a family needs seven days.
Sometimes they need a few weeks.
Sometimes one foster home gives a pet’s family
just enough time to leave the hospital,
secure housing,
recover from a disaster,
or make the next safe decision.
A short commitment for you
can prevent a permanent loss for someone else.
Become A Crisis Foster Home
Give a family time to recover without wondering whether they will ever see their pet again.
Foster homes provide temporary,
safe, humane care
while the family works toward reunification.
Provide A Safe Home
Provide appropriate shelter,
supervision, routine,
exercise, affection,
and everyday care
based on the animal’s needs.
Communicate
Keep us informed about
the animal’s health,
behavior, adjustment,
concerns, and changing needs
during the placement.
Help Us Reunite
Remember that the goal is
to safely return the animal
to the family when their
emergency situation has stabilized.
You Are Not Doing This Alone
Foster care works best when expectations are clear.
Before placement whenever circumstances allow,
we work to gather information about
the animal, household,
care needs, medical concerns,
foster availability,
expected length of placement,
and reunification plan.
Veterinary responsibility,
emergency authorization,
supplies, expenses,
transportation,
communication,
and other placement details
should be clarified for each individual case.
Applying does not obligate you to accept every animal.
Matching matters.
A Good Match Matters
Every foster home does not have to be able to foster every pet.
Tell us what you can realistically accommodate.
A useful foster network includes many different kinds of homes.
Dogs
Small dogs,
large dogs,
seniors,
puppies,
or dogs with specific household needs.
Cats
Adult cats,
kittens,
bonded animals,
or cats needing
a quiet temporary space.
Other Animals
Other family pets may occasionally need help
when an appropriate and experienced
foster resource is available.
Short-Term
Even a foster home
that can only help
for several days
can be valuable.
Longer-Term
Some foster homes may be able
to provide several weeks
of temporary care.
Emergency Backup
Some people cannot foster regularly
but may be available
for a specific emergency
when circumstances fit.
Do You Have A Plan For Your Own Pets?
The best emergency foster placement is sometimes the one arranged before the emergency happens.
One of our goals is to encourage families —
especially seniors and people with limited support networks —
to create an emergency pet-care plan before it is needed.
Decide who could care for your animals.
Keep veterinary records accessible.
Write down medications,
feeding instructions,
behavior information,
veterinarian contact information,
and emergency contacts.
You do not need to expect a crisis
to be prepared for one.
Foster Home Application
Tell us what kind of temporary placement you may be able to provide.
Completing an application does not guarantee placement
and does not require you to accept an animal.
We reserve the right to approve or decline foster applicants
based on safety,
household circumstances,
animal needs,
program requirements,
and available resources.
The right foster home at the right time
can keep a family from losing someone they love.
Can’t Foster Right Now?
You can still help keep a family and their pet together.
Donate
Help cover food,
supplies, transportation,
veterinary needs,
and other costs
connected with temporary crisis care.
Sponsor
Businesses and individuals
can help underwrite crisis pet care,
supplies, veterinary services,
transportation,
or other family-preservation needs.
Volunteer
Foster care is only one way to help.
Volunteers may assist with
transportation, rescue,
events, outreach,
supplies, and other needs.
Keep A Pet Out Of The Shelter During A Family Crisis
Sometimes helping the animal means helping the family hold on long enough to get through the crisis.
Foster a pet.
Support a placement.
Share this program.
Help us build a larger network of people
willing to say:
“Your family is going through enough. We can keep your pet safe.”
Temporary care.
Permanent impact.