Fostering/Voluntering

If you have a place in your heart and home for animals—but you’re not prepared to adopt—consider fostering for The SPCA of Tennessee. Our foster care program lets animal lovers bring pets from shelters into their homes on a temporary basis to prepare them for adoption. We know it can sometimes be a challenging experience – in the love you invest, the commitment it takes, and, eventually, in saying goodbye to a pet that you’ve nurtured for an extended period of time. But know that what you do matters. Every pet that’s fostered has a better chance at a happier and healthier life ahead with a forever family. As a foster parent, you may give a mother dog/cat and her kittens/puppies a place to live until they are old enough for the entire family to return to the shelter for adoption. You could care for a cat with an upper respiratory infection until he feels better, or help rehabilitate a dog with a broken leg that is healing. We might have sometimes animals that need your care, especially older animals who truly benefit by spending time away from the shelter before they find their forever homes.

Foster parents are responsible for traveling to and from the shelters for medical care appointments. The frequency of appointments varies depending on the reason an animal is being fostered. We are trying to put together supplies that a foster might need to start. We provide food depending on the donations we receive. We are structuring our program to be more beneficial for everyone.

Foster homes are a vital part of our organization that has a no kill philosophy and because we don’t have a facility at this time, good foster homes are always at a premium. Foster homes provide a valuable service, not only to temporarily house an animal, but also to assess any behavior issues, socialize, train and otherwise prepare an animal for adoption. It can be very rewarding to know that you have helped save an animal’s life.Foster parents are responsible for traveling to and from the shelters for medical care appointments. The frequency of appointments varies depending on the reason an animal is being fostered. We are trying to put together supplies that a foster might need to start. We provide food depending on the donations we receive. We are structuring our program to be more beneficial for everyone.  Foster homes are a vital part of our organization that has a no kill philosophy and because we don’t have a facility at this time, good foster homes are always at a premium. Foster homes provide a valuable service, not only to temporarily house an animal, but also to assess any behavior issues, socialize, train and otherwise prepare an animal for adoption. It can be very rewarding to know that you have helped save an animal’s life.

Foster parents are responsible for traveling to and from the shelters for medical care appointments. The frequency of appointments varies depending on the reason an animal is being fostered. We are trying to put together supplies that a foster might need to start. We provide food depending on the donations we receive. We are structuring our program to be more beneficial for everyone.  Foster homes are a vital part of our organization that has a no kill philosophy and because we don’t have a facility at this time, good foster homes are always at a premium. Foster homes provide a valuable service, not only to temporarily house an animal, but also to assess any behavior issues, socialize, train and otherwise prepare an animal for adoption. It can be very rewarding to know that you have helped save an animal’s life.Foster parents are responsible for traveling to and from the shelters for medical care appointments. The frequency of appointments varies depending on the reason an animal is being fostered. We are trying to put together supplies that a foster might need to start. We provide food depending on the donations we receive. We are structuring our program to be more beneficial for everyone.  Foster homes are a vital part of our organization that has a no kill philosophy and because we don’t have a facility at this time, good foster homes are always at a premium. Foster homes provide a valuable service, not only to temporarily house an animal, but also to assess any behavior issues, socialize, train and otherwise prepare an animal for adoption. It can be very rewarding to know that you have helped save an animal’s life.

The decision to become a foster home should be undertaken thoughtfully. It’s not always easy to take abused or neglected animals into your home, watch them blossom under your care and then let them go. People often become so attached to their foster pet that they can’t give them up. Good for the animal, but in the process our organization may lose a valuable resource. 

Usually the animal’s needs are simple, but occasionally there may be more involved. Some animals could have health problems and require medication or special diets. An animal lacking in social skills must learn to be a companion. An animal that’s been abused or neglected for a long time has to trust again. These pets are given up or abandoned because their previous owner was unable or unwilling to provide the necessary time, training or care.

If you think you may be up to the challenge to change an animal’s life, please complete the foster application form. This information will enable us to place an animal in a home that best meets the animal’s needs and that is best suited to the time, schedule, lifestyle and talents of the foster family. 

How much you choose to spend on your foster pet is up to you. Some foster families want to assume full responsibility for care, but it’s certainly not a requirement. We can provide necessities like crates, litter boxes, toys, beds, etc. and food if needed. Generally, any medical care including testing, vaccinations, or worming will be done prior to placing the animal in foster care, except when not advisable due to age or condition. Additional veterinary care will be paid by TN SPCA and must be approved in advance by a foster coordinator, who will also schedule appointments. Foster families may be asked to transport an animal to the vet for spay/neuter surgery or other treatment.

Tennessee has come a long way for animal cruelty and helping more animals in need but we still have a long way to go in some counties in the state. Your Donation help us continue helping get every animal a second chance. Help us continue donating to our cause.

What does fostering a dog involve?
When you foster, you agree to take a homeless dog into your home and give him or her love, care and attention, either for a predetermined period of time or until the dog is adopted.

Why do adoption groups need foster homes?
There are many reasons a dog might need foster care. Some of the most common include:

• A rescue group doesn’t have a physical shelter and depends on foster homes to care for dogs until suitable homes are found.
• A puppy is too young to be adopted and needs a safe place to stay until he or she is old enough to go to a forever home.
• A dog is recovering from surgery, illness or injury and needs a safe place to recuperate.
• A dog is showing signs of stress such as pacing or hiding in the shelter.
• A dog has not lived in a home before or has not had much contact with people and needs to be socialized.
• The shelter is running out of room for adoptable dogs.

Why should I foster a dog?
Fostering a dog is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have (other than adopting, of course). By taking an animal in need temporarily into your home you’re:

• freeing up a spot so the shelter or rescue can take in another dog.
• giving your foster dog the time he needs to be ready for adoption.
• helping the shelter or rescue learn more about the dog so he can end up in the best home possible.
• socializing the dog to a home environment and possibly getting him used to being around other pets and different types of people.