Jacksonville Humane Society hours

How do I get started?

Fill out a Foster Parent Profile and return it to JHS. A team member from our foster office will contact you regarding your profile to discuss your interests, which foster animals are currently available and when you can start.

If you have any questions, contact our foster office at .

EXISTING FOSTER PARENTS with questions about your foster animals, and who to contact, click here.

Thank you for your interest in our foster program. JHS is always seeking more volunteer foster homes. Volunteer foster families help care for the animals admitted to our facility by providing temporary, in-home care to JHS animals. Fostering is a very rewarding opportunity because you get to prepare an animal for adoption into a permanent home. Plus, for every new foster family that joins our program, we add space to take in one additional animal. To become a foster family, please fill out our Foster Parent Profile.

Foster parents care for underage puppies and kittens and rehabilitate sick, injured, orphaned or unsocialized animals in a home environment until they are ready for adoption. By taking in dogs and cats that are not ready for adoption, foster parents also permit JHS to admit more animals, allowing more pets in Jacksonville to find their forever homes.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR NEW FOSTER PARENTS:

Can I be a foster parent?

Any adult with spare time and space can foster animals for JHS. Many of our foster parents are:

• Retired senior citizens
• Families learning about what type of animal they would like to adopt
• People who travel and cannot provide full-time care to a pet
• Animal lovers with extra love to give!

As with all JHS volunteer opportunities, students 16 years and older may receive service hours for foster care. Students under 18 years of age must have a parent or legal guardian’s permission.

What types of animals need foster care?

We are always seeking foster homes for:

• Underage kittens and puppies
• Nursing cats and dogs
• Ill or injured animals that may need regular medication or medical attention

Special thank you to the ASPCA for sponsoring our Promote-A-Pet program!

What pet care supplies will I need?

JHS provides all items needed to care for your foster pet, including food, litter boxes with litter, leashes and collars, bedding, newspaper, food bowls, any prescribed medication and all follow-up care.

What is my responsibility?

We request that you follow all guidelines on feeding and medicating your foster pet as given to you by JHS staff. Alert us about any medical or behavioral changes in your foster pet, and keep your scheduled appointments. Read the Foster Parent Handbook for more details.

How long can I foster an animal?

The length of foster care varies with the needs of the animal and your availability. Depending on those factors, we will determine which type of foster animal will work best for you. We will make every effort to ensure your foster pet’s checkups fit your schedule.

What if I fall in love with my foster pet? Can I keep it?

This is a wonderful dilemma! Please keep in mind that some of our foster animals have been available for adoption and may already have a family waiting for them. If this is not the case, we would love for your foster pet to find its forever home with a family it already knows… yours!