Home | Volunteer | Foster Care Program
Foster Pets at the AHS
At any given time at the Atlanta Humane Society there are many cats, dogs, puppies, and kittens that, for whatever reason, cannot be put up for adoption. In many cases, the foster pets just need to go into a foster home for a short time, and then can go back to the shelter and be adopted to a loving home.
Foster pets situations that come up frequently are: 1) upper respiratory infections, common in shelter animals, 2) pregnant dogs or cats or ones with newborns, and 3) kittens and puppies that are too small to go up for adoption. Sometimes these animals are brought in by individuals or other rescue groups and shelters, sometimes they are abandoned animals, and some come in as the result of a rescue operation (most recently, 130 dogs were rescued from a puppy mill in Cherokee County, and last summer, we evacuated many animals from New Orleans and Galveston before the hurricanes hit).
We like to put these foster pets in foster care because they generally recover faster and better in a home environment, plus they are not as exposed to disease as they would be in the shelter. The length of time required in foster care is usually short, from a week to two months, depending on the animal and the situation.
The AHS will supply food, cat litter for cats, medicine, and of course, veterinary care for any animals you foster. We can usually also supply you with things like crates, litter boxes, toys, etc., but what is available depends on what has been donated.
When the foster pets have recovered and are ready to go up for adoption, the foster parent brings the animal back to the AHS. It will be checked out by a vet, spay/neutered if needed, vaccinated, etc., and put up for adoption.
The AHS Foster Care Program
To join the foster pets program, you will need to meet with our Volunteer Foster Care Coordinator to see what kind of animals you would be suited to foster and to answer any questions you might have. There's a short application to fill out, and at some point, a home check, as required by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Periodic emails are sent to Foster Parents to let everyone know what dogs and cats need fostering. You will be added to the list and, if you see an animal you would be interested in fostering, just reply to the email!
If you think this is something you would like to pursue, please contact Katie Black, our Assistant Director of Animal Admission. The best time to meet with her is 9am - 3pm Wednesday - Saturday. If you have specific questions, feel free to email her at the following: fostercare@atlantahumane.org. If you're unable to foster pets in your home, please consider donating to help others become a loving foster to pets in the Atlanta, GA area.