Become A Foster Today

Foster Care Volunteers

Every now and then, one of our animals is in need of a foster home.  This could be for a variety of reasons including stress, illness, or age.  BFHS is always in need of more foster homes. 

Foster Homes Are Shelters Without Walls

Foster volunteers help our cause by caring for animals offsite, which frees up space at the shelter for animals who may desperately need it. Temporary fosters are also needed in case foster homes are full and we need temporary placement for animals on a short-term basis or to relieve a foster volunteer. Foster homes provide love, care, socialization, and also actively help find homes for their foster friends. Foster homes also protect those animals who may be too young for vaccination or too old to fight illness from spending time in a high-traffic shelter environment.

Types of Animals Fostered

For adults dogs and cats, during their stay at BFHS it sometimes becomes apparent they are not thriving in the shelter environment.  Fosters can help these animals by opening their homes and providing a more relaxing situation that lowers their stress level and increases their adoptability.  For puppies and kittens, sometimes they just need a place to grow and express themselves before they are ready for adoption.  Animals who are in need of TLC while recovering or those who are ill are in need of a foster home, as are those animals who may just need a little more socialization before being placed for adoption.  

Time Commitment

We appreciate fosters for any length of time, but each animal has their own individual needs. Some animals will benefit from long-term foster placement until they are adopted while others may only need a brief recovery period in foster. Newborn puppies and kittens need approximately 9-10 weeks to allow them ample time to reach 2 lbs and 8 week spay/neuter qualification. Foster litters are first come/first serve with pre-screened fosters having priority placement.  The greatest need for kitten foster is March – October.

Other Considerations

Foster cats/kittens must be kept indoors at all times. Most foster animals have limited immunity, so it’s best if they remain separated from your own animals (in a separate room). When outdoors, dogs and puppies must be supervised in a fenced area and/or on a leash. Please contact Natalie H. via email at NatalieH@bfhs.com to express interest or with any questions.