Foster

Have a heart for animals? Consider opening your home to a foster pet!
The more fosters we have in our program, the more often we can say "YES!" to pets in need!

Foster Application - Dog

Foster Application - Cat

Become a Foster Hero

Our foster caregivers play a vital role in our work to save lives and complete families. By opening your home to an HSMC pet, you provide them with a safe and loving environment, something many of them have never experienced. Your temporary care makes a world of difference in their journey to a new beginning!

Interested in joining our foster team? Please submit an application and a member of our foster team will reach out to go over your application details and next steps. If you are open to fostering either dogs or cats, please complete the dog application.

Fostering FAQs

Click on the questions below for answers

What kind of animals need fostering?

HSMC primarily works with dogs and cats, though we have small animals, such as rabbits and guinea pigs, in our care on occasion. We house a small number of cats at our facility in Belfair, but all of our other animals need foster placement. This means, that if you have a heart for dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, seniors, pets with special needs (medical or behavioral), or moms and babies, there is a place for you as a foster with us!

Can my Children foster with me?

Fostering is a wonderful family experience and help teach children to be compassionate and caring towards animals. Plus, it's a great way for children to learn age-appropriate responsibility. It's important to select a pet that is a suitable match for your children, and our team will help with that!

As a general rule, children under 16 years old should NOT be left alone, unsupervised with any dog. You'll need to be diligent about providing guidance, instructions and rules to your children about safe interactions with and proper care for pets. Kittens are very fragile and must be closely monitored around small children.

if i have my own animals, can i still foster?

Yes! Many of our foster pets can live with other dogs, cats, or critters. We do our best to provide guidance on a given animal's level of compatibility with other animals, and conduct a meet and greet between dogs if you have a resident dog at home. We also have tips on how to best introduce a new animal to the home and ensure all animals remain safe during your fostering experience.

Note that there is always a small health risk when you expose your animal to other animals, whether walking at parks, visiting the vet, or fostering. The health risk is minimal if your animals are current on their vaccinations, maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, and are not elderly or very young. We encourage you to talk to your vet about any questions or concerns you have.

what supplies are needed to foster?

HSMC will provide all the basic supplies you will need, including food, litter, bowls, toys and medical supplies, if applicable. Of course, you may want to spoil your foster friend with some extra treats and toys, but we’ve got you covered for the basics.

How much time is needed to foster?

Some animals need frequent care, whereas others really only need a cozy place to hang out for most of the day. Consider the time you're able to commit and discuss it with our team. We'll match you with animals who are a fit based on your availability and interest.

The length of stay for each animal can vary quite a bit. Some pets only need a foster for a couple of weeks, while others need more time, especially if they are very young when they come into care, have medical needs, or have behaviors we're working on. Let our team know any timing restrictions you might have so we can plan ahead.

Can i adopt my foster animal?

Of course! After your foster pet is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped, they'll officially be available for adoption. Make sure to let your foster coordinator know if you're interested in adopting! You will be asked to submit an adoption application, and then pay the adoption fee for your pet to cover the services provided.

CAN I FOSTER A DOG IF I LIVE IN AN APARTMENT? Is A FENCED YARD required?

We have foster dogs that can be successful in a variety of living situations and will work with you to select a dog who is a good match for your home environment. Most importantly, you'll want to select a dog who is a match for your lifestyle, and feel confident you can commit to providing them with the physical and mental stimulation they need. While a fenced yard is nice to have for those early morning potty breaks and for a game of ball, it is not a requirement.

Dogs need focused physical activity, mental stimulation and socialization. Simply letting the dog out into the yard does not accomplish this. Instead, the best way to give them the exercise they need is by walking or running them on leash, along with playing active games. You can provide mental stimulation by working on training together, nosework and other enrichment options.

Please note that regardless of your living situation, if you do not own your dwelling you will need landlord approval and must abide by any weight or breed restrictions.