Thank you for your interest in fostering a pet in need of a temporary home! Fostering is a very generous way to help an animal from a shelter. By welcoming a cat or dog into your home for a temporary stay, you are removing him or her from a stressful environment that quickly takes a toll on the animal’s health. Your personal care at home will greatly improve the cat or dog’s mental AND physical well-being while workers find a forever home for the pet. Although each situation varies, a foster may be needed for a matter of days, or for months until a suitable home is located for the cat or dog. If you are interested in fostering an animal, please send us an email to britton@friendsofkcanimals.org.


The Mission of the Foster Program:

The foster program's mission is to serve the Kansas City community by providing homeless animals with the care needed to lead a healthy life, and a home where they will thrive. Friends is committed to the idea that involving foster care volunteers in its operations is an essential part to carrying out this mission for the community.

Foster homes allow extra attention and time to pets most in need. Foster care truly saves lives. 

Foster homes provide a vital link between the shelter and the community. 

A successful foster program requires that staff and volunteers work as a team to implement the mission and goals of the shelter.

 

Requirements:

To become a foster parent, you must

  • Be eighteen (18) years of age or older

  • Own your residence or have permission to foster pets from the landlord/homeowner

  • Openly and accurately communicate the foster pet's condition to shelter representatives

  • Actively work to find an adopter or rescue placement for the pet

  • Comply with all state, county and municipal animal regulations and ownership restrictions

 

Types of Fostering Opportunities 

Friends is looking for the following types of foster homes:

  • Short Term Foster- These foster families generally have the pet for 1-2 weeks at a time or less. The pets entering this program have commitments from a rescue group but need short term placement until the rescue group has room to take them in.
  • Long Term Foster- These foster families commit to the pet they foster until he/she is adopted. We ask that these pets not be returned to the shelter unless there is a true emergency situation. The dogs remain on Petfinder.com and interested adopters will be sent to you for information. Fosters follow up with potential adopters and set up meetings with them. This type of foster care asks for a commitment to pursue all potential adoption leads, and to provide a home for the pet until permanent adoption is secured.
  • Medical Foster- Many dogs that come into the shelter are heartworm positive or have other medical problems. These foster families need to administer prescribed medications and care for the pet in accordance with veterinary instructions. This type of foster care is more involved and requires a commitment to returning the dog to health.
  • Momma and babies- Occasionally the shelter gets moms in with their babies- sometimes, just the babies. The shelter is not a place for puppies or kittens. Foster homes are needed to care for puppies/kittens until they are old enough for adoption. This is the most time consuming type of foster care, but also extremely rewarding.

Friends recognizes the tremendous contributions made by foster parents.

We thank you for considering the foster program! Should you choose to participate, thank you for your very selfless commitment.