Though the investment of time, effort and love is extensive, many volunteers find fostering to be the most satisfying, direct way to help animals. Fostering provides an avenue to increase one's knowledge of animal health and behavior issues.  In addition, there is the heartfelt gratitude of the shelter staff ... and the animals!

Animals sent to foster homes come from unique and special circumstances.  They may need medical care, additional socialization and handling, or just a place to grow up healthy and strong.  These especially vulnerable pets need a safe home environment until they’re ready for adoption. Our foster care volunteers are responsible for saving the lives of hundreds of shelter animals each year by caring for them temporarily in their homes.

Our most common foster animals are kittens with nursing queens, or weaned kittens that need a few weeks to grow strong before placement. We may have homeless adult cats and dogs suffering from treatable illnesses such as Upper Respiratory Infection or Kennel Cough, or animals recovering from surgery. On occasion, the foster animal may have been the victim of neglect or abuse, and emotional as well as medical care will be needed. The Society may also call upon foster volunteers to help reduce over-crowded conditions at the shelter. As a foster volunteer, you select the type of foster care you want to give. If you foster only one animal a year, that’s one more saved!

Our foster care volunteers come from all walks of life. No experience is necessary; we will train you. We’ll help you prepare, give you training and staff support, and provide you with all needed veterinary services for your foster “kids.” There is also 24-hour staff availability for emergencies. The requirements (facilities, supplies, family involvement, etc.) vary depending on the kind of fostering you are doing. The period of time fosters are in your home may be as short as a week or as long as several months, with the average length of stay being between 3 to 4 weeks. 

How to become a foster care volunteer: 

Anyone interested in becoming a foster volunteer for the Longmont Humane Society must attend a volunteer orientation as well as a foster volunteer training class. At the volunteer orientation, you will have the opportunity to sign up for the foster parent training class. Following the training class you will be added to the list of foster care volunteers.

Next Volunteer Orientation:  

February 9, 2010 (Tuesday) at 6:30 p.m. at LHS


Next Foster Training:

February 17, 2010 (Wednesday) at 6:00 p.m. at LHS

At the volunteer orientation you will be notified of future foster volunteer training classes.  Please complete this form and bring it to the training. (Forms will also be available at the training).

For any questions about foster care please contact Andrea Lawless, Foster Care Coordinator, at foster@longmonthumane.org or 303.772.1232 ext. 234. 

Current foster care volunteers can download the Foster Care Manual here.