Respect. Protect. Connect.
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Foster Program
Each year, Anderson Humane cares for more than 4,000 homeless dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. With limited shelter space, we rely on the generosity of our wonderful foster families who open their hearts and homes, allowing us to care for even more animals in need.
Foster volunteers open their hearts and their homes, providing the TLC
homeless pets need to become happy, healthy and ready for adoption.
Beginning in 2022, we will expand our scope of care to include pet species such as small mammals (rabbits, mice, gerbils, ferrets, etc) and pet birds.
If you have questions about becoming a foster, email fosters@ahconnects.org
We'll provide the vet care.
You provide the
LOVE.
Is Foster Care For You?
Dogs and Puppies
We need foster homes to provide care for puppies and adult dogs transported to Anderson from our partner groups. They range in age from newborn pups who usually (but not always) have their mom with them, to weaned pups and adults who just need to stay in their foster home for 2 weeks so we can make sure they're healthy. Anderson staff will vaccinate, de-worm and provide flea/tick treatments. Once they're old enough, our veterinarian will spay or neuter them, and then they'll be ready to come back to the shelter for adoption. The more foster homes we have, the more lives we can save!
Ready to get started?
Cats and Kittens
We are often in need of fosters for adult cats and/or kittens. Each spring, summer and fall, the shelter is inundated with kittens! We call this "kitten season" and we need foster homes to care for these tiny feline babies until they are ready for adoption, usually for a period about 2 weeks. During "kitten season," we may receive more than a litter of kittens each day - we need lots of fosters!
As with all of our fosters, Anderson will provide all the veterinary care, and if you need us to, we'll also provide food and as many of the supplies as we have available.
You provide the love!
Ready to get started?
Parrots & Other
Pet Birds
Many species of birds are kept as pets. They vary from tiny finches and parakeets to much larger macaws.
Parrots are intelligent and long lived. Some of the larger species can live for 60-80 years, often outliving their owners. They can be loud and, if not handled appropriately, can become aggressive. They have specialized caging and food requirements and can be expensive to keep. They become homeless at alarming rates, yet few resources exist to help homeless birds.
Anderson Humane is seeking experienced parrot people to provide foster care in their homes.
We also need fosters for smaller birds such as finches, canaries and doves.
Appropriate caging will be provided if needed.
Rabbits, hamsters & gerbils oh my!
Anderson receives numerous calls from people who can no longer care for their "little critters." These include rabbits, chinchillas, hamsters, mice, gerbils, rats, sugar gliders, ferrets and many more species.
Thousands of these pets need assistance each year, yet few animal welfare organizations accept them. That's why we need your help.
We're looking for foster families interested in providing temporary care for these animals until their forever homes can be found.
Experienced homes are preferred, but training will happily be provided to newcomers.
Ready to get started?
"Diamonds in the Ruff"
Our Behavior Team is seeking behavioral foster families to help train dogs that are part of our Behavior Program, that need out-of-the-shelter time in a loving home. A minimum commitment of 7 days is needed. You will be matched with a dog that suits your lifestyle and you will receive training from our Behavior Team that focuses on positive reinforcement and Fear Free training methods. The Behavior Team will be there to support you all the way. Some of the more common behavior issues are fearfulness; mild resource guarding; leash reactivity; mouthing issues and separation anxiety.
If you can open your heart and home to one of these special dogs please contact our Behavior Team at (847) 697-2880, ext. 50.
