Foster for PALS

Fostering saves lives, and PALS’ foster families are a vital extension of our shelter operations. Foster care provides a temporary home for cats and dogs who need special attention or time away from the shelter. Foster stays may last for a few days, a few weeks, or a few months, depending on the needs of the animal and the availability of the foster parent.

PALS works with foster homes to determine which animal(s) will be the best fit, and we provide support, supplies (including a crate, food, and litter), and all veterinary care we deem necessary.

Some common situations in which animals may require foster care include:

• Bottle babies: orphaned and not yet weaned kittens/puppies who need round the clock care and who have a higher risk of contracting an illness in the shelter due to their age and vaccination status

• Mother cat/dog and her nursing kittens/puppies: the shelter is a stressful environment for a mother animal to raise her babies in; also at higher risk of contracting an illness in the shelter due to their age and vaccination status

• Young kittens/puppies: eating on their own but not yet old enough to be spayed/neutered; also at higher risk of contracting an illness in the shelter due to their age and vaccination status

• Unsocialized kittens/puppies: stray kittens/puppies who have previously had limited contact with humans and need special attention to become comfortable around people

• Stressed animals: animals who are stressed out by shelter life and who need a calmer environment in which to wait for their forever homes; this includes dogs who need one-on-one behavioral training

• Medical issues: animals who are recovering from an injury or medical procedure, or who have an infectious disease or chronic illness

• Fospice: animals diagnosed with a terminal condition who are unlikely to be adopted but who still have a good quality of life

Apply to be a foster today to make a meaningful difference in the lives of PALS animals.