Follow These Simple Steps:

1. Complete the foster care application:
   Foster Care Application-PDF
   Foster Care Application-WORD
2. E-mail, mail, fax or drop off at the shelter (info below).
3. You must be 21 years or older.
4. Applications are reviewed by our shelter staff.
5. An in-home visit will be required for first time fosters.
6. Please keep in mind we have strict guidelines for the protection and welfare of these animals.
7. Questions to consider.
8. Supplies you may need.
9. The FLSPCA reserves the right to deny any applicant for any reason.

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Examples of Foster Care Needed:

• Pregnant or Nursing Cats & Dogs:
1. Pregnant cats and dogs need special attention.
2. Nursing mothers with kittens or puppies require patience, space and lots of TLC.
• Sick and/or Injured Animals:
1. Animals needing extra care during times of illness.
2. Often certain injuries require a quiet restful environment for healing.
3. Broken legs, amputations, etc. will be evaluated on an individual basis.
• Animal Socialization:
1. As a limited admission shelter, some animals reside here longer than we hope.
2. Their social skills become limited in a kenneled environment.
3. Spinning, barking, and pacing hide the true personality of many dogs.
4. A foster home can allow for an objective evaluation.
5. Added requirements may apply (training and socialization experience).

Do you have adequate space for the foster animal(s)?
Depending on the number of animals currently in your household, making room for a temporary addition is very important.

What is the temperament of your own animals?
Sometimes jealousy plays a role when a newcomer enters their territory. Depending on the foster situation, being able to seperate the foster animal(s) from your own animals may be best.

Are you prepared to clean up after the foster animal and understand in some cases there may be possible damage to your home?
Accidents can happen and your property may take some abuse. Preparing for this ahead of time can prevent these mishaps.

Are you emotionally prepared to return the foster animal to the SPCA when he/she finds a home?
One becomes easily attached after fostering for a period of time. The transition can be very difficult, especially for the first foster.

Do you feel comfortable monitoring the animals general health?
It's best if you can keep a journal of their behavior. Any changes in appetite, poop, and overall behavior of the animal should be reported immediately.

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Newspapers:
These will be useful for easy clean-up with both puppies and kittens. Place in bottom of box for kittens and use to line an area for puppies.

Cardboard box:
This makes a wonderful cozy, contained area for a mother and kittens. You can increase the size as the kittens grow larger.

Old towels and blankets:
With kittens, fold the towel somewhat neatly so they can't get caught between the layers when crawling around. Blankets can be cut in half for easier washing as puppies will soil them often.

Litterbox and non-clumping litter:
Use a shallow pan (or old cake pan) as a litter box and please only use non-clumping litter as clumping litter can cause serious health problems (sometimes fatal) when kittens ingest it. Not to mention the fact that if water is spilled, it sticks to their paws very easily.

Food bowls:
It's best to keep one for dry food and one for canned food. Shelter staff will let you know if they require a special diet. If possible please purchase a good quality food and stay away from generic or grocery store brand foods.

Water bowls:
Please have water available at all times; however, keep an eye out for spilled dishes. Also use a very shallow dish as young animals can drown.

Heating pads or hot water bottles:
Very Important...keep heating pads on the lowest setting. Sometimes you will still need to have a certain number of towels between the pad and the animal(s). Check often to make sure the animal is not too hot and always allow room for them to get away from the heat source. Another good idea is using a plastic liter bottle filled with hot water and rolling a towel around it.

Toys:
Most toys are fine; however, make sure that they're not so small that the animal can swallow it and stay away from plastic squeeky toys for puppies... they can easily be chewed into small pieces and ingested. Household items such as empty toilet paper rolls (kittens) and socks tied in knots make wonderful toys and they're free! A cat scratching post will also interest cats and kittens.