Our foster families provide life-changing support for our special needs companion animals. Our program places especially young, frightened, undersocialized, or special medical needs companion animals into short-term homes to receive individualized extra care until they are ready for adoption. We provide the veterinary care, behavioral support, foster training, and anything else our animal may need - you provide the safe, caring home environment.
We are actively recruiting temporary foster homes for our adult dogs. If you are interested in participating, or if you have questions, please call (760) 888-2247 or e-mail [email protected]. Completed foster care applications can be faxed to (760) 888-2222.
What animals qualify for the foster care program?
- Stressed Animals: Animals who have been at the shelter and show signs of behavioral or physical changes due to the stress.
- Young Animals: Puppies and kittens less than 8 weeks of age. This also includes nursing mothers and her puppies or kittens.
- Injured or Sick Animals: Animals with temporary but treatable health problems, such as those with fractures, wounds, or are under-weight or emaciated.
- Under-socialized Animals: Young animals who have not been socialized well to people or other animals.
- Animals for Overpopulation: Healthy animals for whom there is no space in the shelter. This also includes animals going to breed rescue.
- Other Animals: Any other animal deemed appropriate by shelter management.
For the safety of our foster families, animals who show aggressive behavior toward people do not qualify for our foster care program.
Who does the Foster Care Program benefit?
The animals: Foster care for shelter animals has a direct impact on the number of homeless animals saved each year. Animals that otherwise may have been euthanized can be adopted into permanent, loving homes. These animals also start out with a stronger training background and wider socialization, which will help them become the best possible pet.
The volunteers: Although foster care can be difficult, it is an incredibly rewarding experience. Each time a foster animal is adopted, you gain the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped another animal find a lifelong home when it may have otherwise been euthanized. This is a great opportunity for people who want to help, but don’t have the time to spend at the shelter. It is a flexible volunteer position that allows you to choose the type of animal you are comfortable sharing your home with.
The community: Foster care provides the community a larger segment of healthy, socialized animals. In addition, as a result of foster care by volunteers the public becomes more educated on animal health and care issues.
What are the requirements for becoming a foster care volunteer?
- Fill out a foster care application and have it approved by the program coordinator.
- Attend a foster care volunteer orientation.
- Attend training
- Have landlord approval if necessary.
- Host an annual home visit completed by EHS staff.
- Have adequate space and time to care for foster animals.
- Be willing to spend a large amount of time and energy with an animal that will be returning to the shelter for adoption.
Responsibilities of an EHS Adult Dog Foster Care Volunteer
- Provide food, water, socialization, training, exercise, and administer medication for foster animals (The Escondido Humane Society provides all food and medication.)
- Provide a secure home for the animal(s). This may include isolation from household animals.
- Ensure that all household animals are healthy and current of vaccines.
- Observe foster animals and report any problems or questions to the foster care program coordinator. Also, understand that veterinary care cannot be sought without receiving the express approval of EHS managers beforehand.
- Return all animals to EHS as scheduled or requested by EHS management.
- Comply with EHS’s philosophies and policies, and act as a representative of EHS.
- Make a commitment to the foster care program and the animals it helps. Although the length of foster care will vary according to the animal’s need, volunteers are asked to commit to caring for one foster care case per year to remain active.