Foster Program

HAHS is always looking for responsible, caring individuals willing to open their hearts and homes for shelter pets in need. Our foster care program is specifically designed to place animals who may need a little extra TLC into temporary homes while they await or prepare for adoption.

What is fostering?

When you foster a pet, you are signing up to temporarily care for a homeless animal for a period of time, until they are ready for adoption or find their own family. It’s an extremely rewarding experience, especially if you are not yet ready to adopt but still want to help pets in need. 

Why should I foster?

 Fostering can be a wonderful experience for you and your family. You can feel good knowing that you have made a positive difference in an animal’s life, and each animal fostered in a home opens up a cage or kennel space for us to save another animal! Fostering can also provide individual attention that certain special needs animals require.

Do I need to have any special training or skills to be a foster parent?

While fostering a pet, you are responsible for its well-being. Giving the pet love and affection, working on housetraining, and socialization if necessary. Foster families should also be comfortable with basic obedience training and giving pets medication—or be willing to learn.

What are the requirements to foster?

  • The primary caregiver of the foster animal must be at least 18 years old. All interactions with children must be monitored for everyone's safety and wellbeing.
  • Foster must provide a clean, safe and caring environment.
  • Fosters must provide daily care to their foster pet (food, water, exercise, socialization, and administering medication if necessary).
  • Fosters must have their own transportation available. Transportation is mandatory for vaccination booster appointments, transporting the animals for meet and greets with approved adopters and also in the case that the animal becomes ill and needs immediate medical care.
  • Fosters must have a separate area in their home for foster pets as some such as unvaccinated kittens & puppies with developing immune systems will need to be quarantined from resident pets until vaccinated.
  • All resident pets are required to be up to date on distemper and rabies vaccinations and spayed/neutered.

What are some of the reasons an animal is placed into foster care?

There are many different reasons why an animal might require foster care. Some may fall into the following categories:


  • Pregnant or nursing moms
  • Orphaned bottle babies or animals too young to be adopted.
  • Sick or injured animals who need a little extra TLC while they recover.
  • Animals who are overwhelmed by the daily stressors of shelter life.
  • Animals who need some extra socialization.

How long do animals need to be in foster care?

How long you keep your foster pet depends on the needs of the animal and your availability. Our foster team will match you with a pet that fits your availability and lifestyle.

Does the shelter provide supplies?

Yes, we provide everything you need for your foster pet. This includes food, bowls, bedding, toys, crates, litter, litter pans, etc. All routine medical care, except in cases of emergency, will be done at HAHS. If you’d like to purchase your own supplies, we can provide you with a list of what to buy. 

What happens if my foster animal needs medical care?

We will provide all medical care for the foster pet, including routine vaccinations, flea/ tick prevention, deworming, medications for illness or injury, etc. If fosters have any medical concerns or emergencies with your foster pet, they are required to contact the shelter immediately.

Can fosters adopt their foster pet?

Yes. If you fall in love and want to keep your foster pet, you will have the first chance to adopt them if they do not already have an approved adopter. All fosters must complete our standard adoption application if interested in adopting.

Please note: All animals on foster remain the legal property of The Hornell Area Humane Society and may not be taken or transferred to any other party. If you hear of a prospective adopter for an animal in your care or if you wish to adopt one yourself: an Adoption Application must be submitted and approved for adoption by an HAHS representative.

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