Foster Program

At any given time, there are between 200 and 250 Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits in the LCHS Foster and Adoption Program. It is one of the largest foster programs in the State of Florida. Our Foster and Adoption program is the Leon County Humane Society’s most extensive program and it lies at the very heart of our rescue mission.

LCHS takes in animals from area shelters and places them in temporary foster homes, where they receive needed veterinary care (including spay or neuter), training, socialization and love. Some LCHS animals were once beloved pets who lost their homes due to a family crisis. For others, the foster family provides their first experience in a caring home. Living in the foster home environment allows the animal to relax and reveal his or her true personality and foster families can provide potential adopters with critical insights into what living with their particular foster pet is really like. Is Max a leisure loving couch potato or an Olympic-class sprinter? Is Velvet a gregarious socialite or a quiet, contemplative soul? The foster family’s knowledge is invaluable in helping the animals find well-matched permanent homes.

Fostering is your chance to make a difference in the life of a companion animal. Although we place hundreds of animals every year, we turn down many more because of lack of space. The more foster homes we have, the more animals we can save.

If you would like to learn more about becoming a foster parent, please call the Leon County Humane Society at 224-9193 or email us at info@LCHS.info

DON’T DELAY–SAVE A LIFE TODAY!

How do I become a foster?

We are always looking for pet lovers to share their homes with a foster pet. The process is simple:

1. Be an LCHS member in good standing.
2. Be at least 18 years old.
3. Review our Frequently Asked Questions about Fostering (.pdf file).
4. Fill out and submit our Foster Application (.pdf file).
5. Attend a foster parent orientation to learn about our fostering program.
6. Select the pet you would like to foster.
7. Pass a home visit so that LCHS can be assured that the foster animal will live in an appropriate environment.
8. Volunteer at a foster booth to see firsthand what is involved in fostering an animal. This is a great opportunity to meet current fosters, ask questions, and see how potential adoptors are reviewed.

Note: The above files are in .pdf format. You must have the Adobe Reader installed on your computer in order to view these. If you do not have Adobe Reader, you may download and install a free copy from Adobe's web site.

What does the Foster Program provide?
LCHS values its foster families. We provide:

• All necessary veterinary care, including spaying or neutering of foster pets
• Food, bowls, collars, and obedience training (if necessary)
• Vouchers for boarding
• Anything else a foster might need during the foster pet's stay.

• Provide a loving home for a foster pet.
• Work with the foster pet to improve his/her chances of being adopted (e.g., housebreaking, obedience training).
• Socialize your foster pet by providing him/her with situations where s/he is around other adults, children, noises, and other pets.
• Monitor your foster pet's behavior and health.
• Keep your foster pet under supervision, either on a leash, in a crate, in the house, or in a fenced-in area.
• Assist in getting your foster pet adopted.

For more information on the Foster Program, please call us at 224 9193.