 Each year, the Larimer Humane Society receives hundreds of animals
too young to be placed up for adoption. Fortunately, LHS foster
care volunteers are available to provide the love and nurturing these
animals need to grow strong. In addition to young animals, Foster Care
Volunteers open their homes and hearts to ill animals and animals
recovering from surgery. By providing foster care, volunteers save the
lives of the special-needs animals and help alleviate over-crowding at
the animal shelter.
Larimer Humane Society foster care volunteers provide an invaluable
service that allows LHS to save thousands of lives each year
and we are always welcoming new volunteers to our program. In 2007,
foster volunteers cared for 809 animals!
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Frequently Asked Questions |
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- Who can be a foster care volunteer?
- How do I become a foster volunteer?
- Do I need to provide any supplies?
- Do I need special skills or training to become a foster care volunteer?
- What types of animals need foster care?
- How long will I be fostering an animal, and what type of care is involved?
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 home for the Larimer Humane Society must attend our volunteer orientation and the Foster Care training class within the same month.
At the orientation, you will have the opportunity to sign up
for an interview with the Foster Care Coordinator. Following the
interview, you will be signed up to attend our Foster Care
Introductory Training; this introductory training class will allow you
to be added to the list of foster care volunteers.
For more
information, please email our Foster Care Coordinator at
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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.). The 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?
The average stay for a foster animal is three weeks, but some foster
animals can require up to 3 months to recovery from injury or illness.
Some foster animals, like newborn kittens, require round-the-clock
care. Puppies and kittens need structured socialization and basic
manners training. Others, such as hamsters or birds, simply need daily
attention. We’ll arrange a foster care time commitment around your
lifestyle, work schedule and vacation plans. The foster care department
offers periodic educational seminars relating to many aspects of animal
care including but not limited to cat enrichment, puppy raising, and
rabbit care. |
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Get Involved 