We are seeking dedicated foster parents for shelter animals that are not quite ready for adoption or require medical treatment due to upper respiratory infections. We provide the supplies, you provide the love!
FOSTER PARENT REQUIREMENTS:
- You must be a Palm Beach County resident and able to show proof of residency.
- You must be able to provide current rabies vaccine certificates and Palm Beach County license tags for ALL cats and dogs in your home.
- Your community/HOA/Landlord must allow you to have animals (breed/size) in your home.
- You must keep your personal pets separate from your foster pet.
- You must be willing to make a minimum 3-week commitment to foster.
- You must be willing to commit and be on time for weekly foster re-check appointments.
- You must have access to email as this is our primary means of communication.
- You must be able to pick up your foster within 24 hours of confirmation from the foster team.
- You must report medical and behavioral issues to the foster and/or clinic staff immediately. **Foster pets often have a history of which Animal Care & Control is unaware.
#HealthyHome Foster
What is a #HealthyHome Foster?
Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control (PBCACC) is seeking caring foster parents for shelter animals. A #HealthyHome Foster is a human who chooses to care for a shelter animal to increase their chances of adoption. Due to overcrowding at the shelter, PBCACC is seeking foster homes for healthy dogs in our adoption program.
How much does it cost to become a #HealthyHome Foster?
It's FREE! PBCACC supplies medical, food, collar, leash and a crate. You supply the #Love!
What if I have pets at home?
It is important to keep your #HealthyHome Foster separate from your personal pets in your home. Please remember that we do not know the full history or behavior of our shelter dogs as most arrive at the shelter as strays. It is also crucial to keep your #HealthyHome Foster separate from your personal pets since they can be incubating canine infectious respiratory diseases.
How long will a #HealthyHome Foster need fostering?
We are asking #HealthyHome Fosters to commit to a minimum of two (2) weeks of love, cuddles, happy faces and wagging tails.
What if I fall in love with my #HealthyHome Foster?
We would LOVE if your #HealthyHome Foster found their #FureverHome with you! Great news – as a #HealthyHome Foster, you get first dibs on adoption! You won't even have to come back to the shelter! Just send us an email to PSD-ACCSupport@pbcgov.org letting us know you want to adopt your #HealthyHome Foster!
How can I help?
We are so happy you asked! Please visit our SNAP adoption website by clicking here to view our dogs in need of a #HealthyHome Foster! (If you see *** next to a dog's name, it means they are currently in a #HealthyHome Foster). Once you have chosen a dog, fill out the adoption application here and email it to our team at PSD-ACCSupport@pbcgov.org. Please be sure to check the Healthy Home Program at the very top! Shelter staff will contact you once your application had been approved! Or, come in during our normal business hours to meet and choose your #HealthyHome Foster in person!
Fostering Kittens
In most states, kitten season begins in spring and lasts through early winter. In sunny South Florida, it can last almost year round. Cats start reproducing and continue to have several litters during this time causing a massive influx of kittens in shelters. Kittens need loving foster homes to care for them until they reach 2 lbs at which they can be spayed/neutered and adopted into their forever home.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE FOSTERING KITTENS:
- Are you willing to spend quality time with your foster kittens?
- Are you willing to monitor your foster kittens closely for any medical issues that may arise?
- Are you willing to monitor your foster kittens closely to ensure they are eating and gaining weight?
- Are you willing to weigh your foster kittens daily and keep a daily weight journal?
- Are you willing to keep your foster kittens in an enclosed space like a small bathroom?
- Are you willing to thoroughly disinfect this area to prevent cross-contamination between foster kittens?
- Are you willing to keep your foster kittens separate from your personal pets in your home?
- Are you emotionally prepared to return your foster kittens once able to be adopted into their forever homes?
- Are you emotionally prepared if your foster kittens become ill?
- Are you able to contact our clinic in the event of a medical emergency with your foster kittens?
Fostering Dogs
We are also in need of medical fosters for large dogs that have come down with CIRD/Kennel Cough (Upper Respiratory Infection aka Doggie Cold). The most common symptoms of CIRD are dry cough, hacking, and discharge from eyes/nose. CIRD is highly contagious to other dogs. Typically, the treatment is for 10 days and dogs recover better when outside of the shelter environment.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE FOSTERING A DOG WITH CIRD:
- Are you willing to keep your foster dog separate from your personal pets in your home?
- Are you willing to keep your foster dog separate from other dogs in your neighborhood during walks?
- Are you willing to provide oral medication daily?
- Are you willing to monitor your foster dog closely to ensure they are responding to their medication?
Ready to make a difference? Please click the PAW below to sign up!
