Foster To Save Lives - Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA

Become A Foster with RHSPCA

Open Your Heart & Home to Animals in Need

Each year, we take in 2,700 animals into our care! That’s over 1,000 kittens and nearly 800 adult dogs and cats each. And occasionally we take in some puppies as well. Our facility has less than 70 dog kennels and 100 kennels for cats. We could not carry out our lifesaving work without our fosters.

You can help us save more lives by temporarily opening your home and helping us help more animals.

To learn more about our foster program, watch the video below!

Our greatest needs…

Single dog homes

We are in need of foster homes that don’t have other dogs OR are able to isolate the foster dog from resident dogs. Dogs that do not get along with other dogs and dogs under medical treatment are in the greatest need of foster placement.

Bottle-fed kittens

Fosters who have experience providing care to kittens age 0-4 weeks old are desperately needed. If you do not have experience, we will provide training.

Nursing mother cats with kittens

Nursing mothers and their kittens are highly susceptible to disease due to their compromised immune systems, so the shelter environment can be high risk for them. Foster homes that can provide a separate room or isolated area where the nursing mother can care for her kittens are needed.

Email our foster team directly, using ‘Single dog home’, ‘Bottle-fed kittens’ OR ‘Nursing mothers’ as the subject line for an immediate response.

Foster In 3 Easy Steps

Prepare
Talk to your vet and make sure all of your current pets are up-to-date on vaccinations they recommend. Prepare a quiet area in the house, preferably a separate room (dogs) or a bathroom (kittens) for the fosters. The animals are likely not housetrained and the room should be secure such that the animals can’t get into anything dangerous (power cords, cleaning supplies, toilet bowls etc.) The pets will likely need baths and may have fleas. We provide flea treatment but aren’t always able to do baths here.
Apply
Fill out a foster application below to tell us about yourself and who you’re interested in fostering. Our greatest need is for single dog homes, bottle-fed kittens & nursing mothers with kittens, so placement for them is being prioritized. We appreciate you applying and will follow up as soon as possible.
Pick up your foster pet
One of our foster coordinators will schedule a foster pet pick up appointment with you. At time of pick up, you will be given all necessary supplies and any known information about your foster pet. You will meet with a few animals that will be pre-selected based on your skill set and preferences. Our goal is to send you home with an animal that is the right fit for you, so don’t be afraid to share any concerns or questions with your foster coordinator.

Apply To Foster Cats

Apply To Foster Dogs

It’s That Easy!

You’ll be added to our foster contact list for urgent needs emails. We encourage you to also join our RHSPCA Foster Facebook Group. Our staff and volunteers routinely post pets in need of foster homes in the group. Comment on a post to volunteer, or contact us at Fosterteam@rhspca.org.

We’ll provide you with all of the necessary supplies, refills, vet visits, and support should a question or emergency arise. Thank you for helping your local animal shelter!

Not yet ready to foster?

Consider making a monetary donation or ordering some much needed items from our wish list. We are able to purchase items like pet food, dog crates, exercise pens and cat litter for far less than what you would pay if you bought them for us. We can’t do the same for the items on our wish lists.

Needed Cat Supplies

Needed Dog Supplies

FAQ’S

Are there any fees or costs associated with fostering?

The RHSPCA will provide all necessary supplies for your foster pet such as bedding, food, bowls, litter, litter boxes, a crate, toys, etc. You pay no fees to the shelter for fostering. However, you can help us reduce costs by providing RHSPCA-approved materials for your foster pet, if you like. Costs incurred for fostering a pet may be claimed on your income tax returns.

Can I adopt my foster?

Nothing makes us happier than seeing our shelter animals become permanent members of families! If you’re interested in adopting your foster pet, please submit an adoption application online, and notify a member of our foster team.

Can I introduce my foster dog to other dogs?

Initial introductions with resident pets must take place at the RHSPCA in a controlled environment with trained staff. For the safety of the foster, and pet, any other introductions must be approved by a member of the foster team.

If I have to go away for a business trip, vacation, or academic break, what do I do with my foster pet?

Notify our foster team as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made to return the foster pet to the shelter. We may connect you with another foster care provider that can pet-sit while you’re away.

Can I take my foster pet along when I go out of town?

Foster pets are approved to travel with their foster care providers on a case-by-case basis. If you wish to take your foster pet along when you, you must obtain approval from our foster team. Arrangements can also be made to return the foster pet to us, if needed.

We Couldn’t Do It Without You

Your contributions make the difference for pets and people in our community.
Thank you for your support!

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Foster

Become A Foster with RHSPCA

Open Your Heart & Home to Animals in Need

Our greatest needs…

Single dog homes

Bottle-fed kittens

Nursing mother cats with kittens

Foster In 3 Easy Steps

Prepare

Apply

Pick up your foster pet

It’s That Easy!

Not yet ready to foster?

Needed Cat Supplies

Needed Dog Supplies

FAQ’S

We Couldn’t Do It Without You

Have Questions? Get In Touch:

Hours

Quick Links

Helping Pets & People

Foster

Foster For The RHSPCA

Become A Foster with RHSPCA

Open Your Heart & Home to Animals in Need

Our greatest needs…

Single dog homes

Bottle-fed kittens

Nursing mother cats with kittens

Foster In 3 Easy Steps

It’s That Easy!

Not yet ready to foster?

Needed Cat Supplies

Needed Dog Supplies

FAQ’S

We Couldn’t Do It Without You

Have Questions? Get In Touch:

Hours

Quick Links

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