The goal of the Dumb Friends League Homes with Hearts foster care program is to rehabilitate as many animals as possible in order to make them available for adoption. With the help of our dedicated volunteers, more than 3,500 animals entered the program during our 2008 fiscal year. Cats, kittens, dogs, puppies and a variety of small mammals were included in this number. The Dumb Friends League is proud to have had this life-saving program for more than 20 years.
What is a foster parent?
A volunteer foster parent assists in the rehabilitation of an animal by providing in home care.
Foster Parents are either:
- Adults age 18 and older
- Youth from age 12-17 (Junior Foster Parent program) The Junior Foster Parent program provides an opportunity for young people to gain hands-on experience with the responsibilities that come with caring for animals.
An animal may need a foster home for a variety of reasons including age, illness, injuries, and socialization, or to help provide needed space at the shelter for incoming animals. Foster parents provide a clean, safe, loving environment for the animals in their homes.
How long is the foster care commitment?
The length of foster care for each animal varies depending on its needs. Fostering may last from two weeks to several months. We have a need for foster parents throughout the year. Our greatest need is from the spring through the fall.
What are the expenses for a foster parent?
The Dumb Friends League furnishes all of the supplies needed to care for foster animals. This includes food, litter, bedding, toys and enrichment items, and medical care. Foster parents incur their own expenses traveling to the shelter for medical care and foster care appointments as necessary. Appointments vary depending on the reason and animal is being fostered.
What are the requirements for foster parents?
Prospective adult foster parents complete an application and a personal interview with our volunteer services manager. Prospective Junior Foster Parents register first with our volunteer services manager (303) 751-5772, Ext. 7246. Home inspections are conducted next. All approved foster parents attend an orientation class (subsequent training is required to remain active in the program.) Following the initial orientation, you will receive a call from a foster coordinator inviting you to pick up your first foster animal.
Things to consider
Are you able to separate the foster animals from your own animals? Because most foster animals have limited immunity, it is best to keep them in a spare bedroom or backroom for the duration of their time
in your home. When outside, puppies and dogs must be supervised in an enclosed yard or on leash. Kittens and cats much be kept indoors at all times.
To support our foster volunteers, we provide classes on caring for kittens, cats, puppies and dogs. Mentors are provided for interested foster volunteers.
In addition to in-home foster parents, we need help at the shelters with medicating, cleaning and feeding the foster animals in our care. If you are interested in our Homes with Hearts foster program, please fill out our application.
Fostering is one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have. With your help, we are able to save thousands of lives.
Important numbers
- Foster coordinator: (303) 751-5772, Ext. 7228 (appointments)
- Foster care associate manager: Ext. 7291
- Volunteer services manager: Ext. 7246
Click here for more general volunteer information and to print out an application.
If you are unable to open your home to an animal at this time, you can still make a difference by making a donation to the Homes with Hearts foster program today.