Foster A Pet
At Helping Hearts and Healing Tails, we believe every animal deserves the opportunity to heal, grow, and find a loving home. Our Foster Program connects animals in need with caring individuals who provide a safe, temporary home while they recover or prepare for adoption. By fostering, you’re not just saving one life—you’re creating space for us to rescue even more animals. If you’re ready to make a difference, fostering is one of the most impactful ways to get involved.
HHHT Foster Process
Our Foster Program is designed to provide the best care for the animals while ensuring a smooth experience for foster volunteers. Here’s what you can expect:
Apply to Become a Foster: Complete our foster application and get approved by our Director and veterinarian. Behavioral fosters may require additional approval.
Matching with an Animal: Once approved, we’ll match you with an animal that fits your home, lifestyle, and experience. We work closely with you to ensure a good match.
Foster Care: You’ll provide daily care for the animal, including feeding, socialization, and attention. All major medical decisions remain in the hands of the rescue.
Veterinary Care: If the animal needs vet care, we cover the cost as long as it’s pre-approved. Emergency contacts are provided for guidance.
Return or Adopt: When the animal is ready for adoption, they’ll return to us for placement in their forever home—or you can choose to adopt them if they’ve stolen your heart!
Why Foster?
Fostering allows us to save more animals than we ever could on our own. Many of our animals need extra care, whether they’re recovering from an illness, too young to be adopted, or simply need the comfort of a home setting to build confidence. Fostering provides a safe space where animals can heal, grow, and prepare for adoption.
For you, fostering is an incredibly rewarding way to directly help an animal in need. You’re not just giving them a temporary home—you’re helping them get one step closer to a forever family. It’s a hands-on way to make a lasting difference.
What To Expect When Fostering
Fostering is a unique and rewarding experience, but it also comes with responsibilities. Here's what you can expect:
Time Commitment: Depending on the animal’s needs, fostering can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
Day-to-Day Care: You'll provide the essentials, including feeding, exercising, and socializing your foster pet. We’ll give you clear instructions on any special care requirements.
Medical Care: We handle all pre-approved veterinary expenses and provide you with emergency contacts for any medical concerns.
Support: You’re never alone! Our team is always here to guide you with advice and support to make your foster experience a success.
Responsibilities of a Foster Home:
Fostering goes beyond providing shelter—it’s about giving the animal the care they need to thrive. Here are the typical responsibilities of a foster home:
Feeding / General Care: You'll be responsible for providing daily food, water, and love. For animals with special diets, we’ll supply the necessary food.
Socialization and Training: Many foster animals need help adjusting to life in a home. This could include working on basic commands, house training, or simply helping them feel comfortable in a loving environment.
Transportation: You may be asked to transport the animal to and from vet appointments or meet potential adopters.
Record Keeping: You’ll help us keep accurate records of the animal’s behavior, any concerns, and their progress. This helps us find the best permanent home for them.
The Impact of Fostering
Fostering is one of the most important roles in the rescue world. By opening your home to a foster pet, you’re directly saving lives. You’re giving animals the time and space they need to recover, grow, and become ready for adoption. Without foster homes, many animals would never have the chance to thrive.
Not only are you helping individual animals, but you're also making a huge impact on the rescue community. For every animal you foster, you’re freeing up resources and space to save another. The care, love, and dedication you provide changes lives—both for the animals and for the families who will one day adopt them.