Become a Foster Home
Help us help the animals
Become a Foster Home
for our North Side or Fallen Timber Shelter

Complete our Foster Application online or
mail to:
 Volunteer & Foster Services
W PA Humane Society
1101 Western Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15233

FOSTERING . . .

There’s no better feeling.

Open your heart and your home

to an animal who needs you . . .

Foster animals come in many sizes and varieties and need foster homes for various reasons. Small kittens and puppies too young for adoption need “fattening up” and lots of love and attention. Mothers with nursing babies benefit from a quiet home where they can care for their little ones until they are old enough to be adopted. Animals with treatable illnesses recover more quickly in a warm and loving home environment and benefit greatly from the careful attention of a foster “parent.” When space is tight in the shelter, dogs, cats and bunnies need a place to call home until we have more room. Some animals need behavior training, and we occasionally have fearful cats or dogs who need kind and patient attention to teach them to trust. And animals who have been waiting for a home for a long time really benefit from a cage break. There are many reasons compassionate animal lovers foster. For some it’s a family affair where parents and children get hands-on experience in caring for orphaned animals and develop an understanding of pet overpopulation and its consequences. Others may not be able to commit to full-time pet ownership, but enjoy the benefits of sharing their life with an animal for a short period of time. Some pet owners just love animals and wish to give an orphaned baby the same chance for a lifelong home that their pet was fortunate enough to receive. Others love the energy and entertainment a litter of kittens brings into their lives. 

Whatever the reason, there’s one thing for sure . . . fostering saves lives.

 

What will I need to provide?
Lots of love, attention and care is of the utmost importance to your foster animals.They will need a warm, clean space of their own, separate from any family pets. We ask our foster homes to provide appropriate food, water, bowls, kitty litter, bedding and toys for their foster animals. The Western Pennsylvania Humane Society will provide any necessary medications and veterinary care for the animals.Foster dogs need regular outdoor exercise and, in some cases, potty training. Experienced foster parents may be called upon to provide training or behavior modification techniques to help an animal become more adoptable.Any family pets must be spayed or neutered and current on vaccinations.If you rent, you must provide proof that your landlord allows pets in your residence.We ask that you bring your foster animals to our clinic for a foster check-up approximately every two weeks.

How do I get started?
The first step is to fill out a Foster Application. You can fill out one online or applications are also available at the shelter,
or we will gladly send you one in the mail. Call 412.321.4625, ext. 221 to request an application.
When your application is approved, we will review our current list of available foster animals to see if any fit your
fostering preferences. We will contact you when appropriate foster animals are available, discuss the animals’ condition
and circumstances, and give you the opportunity to accept the foster. You can then come to the shelter, sign the necessary paperwork, and take your foster animals to your home. We provide you with detailed instructions on the care of your foster animals,
and we are always available to answer your questions or address any concerns you may have.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I keep my foster animal?
Depending on the reason for fostering, the duration can range from one to eight weeks or longer.

Can I choose a particular animal to foster?
In most cases, we do not send our adoptable animals to foster. Our primary goal is to find loving,
permanent homes for our animals.

If I fall in love, can I adopt my foster animal?
Yes. Many of our animals are adopted by their foster parents. You can, however, save many more lives if you are
able to return your foster animal and take another who is in need of a temporary home.

Can I try to find homes for my foster animals?
We love it when you find a home for your foster. All you need to do is bring the animal in and have the
new adopterscome to the shelter to do the paperwork.

When is the greatest need for foster homes?
Our greatest need is in the Spring and Summer, when many many litters of kittens and puppies arrive at our shelter.
But we have a year-round need for foster homes.

North Shore • 1101 Western Ave  Pittsburgh PA 15233     Kennels open weekdays 10:00 to 7:00
Saturday 10 - 5 Closed Sunday     Offices open Monday thru Friday 8:30 - 4:30       412-321-4625
Fallen Timber • 1680 Fallen Timber Rd  Elizabeth PA 15037     412-751-2010 
Sunday, Friday and Saturday 10 - 5, Tuesday and Thursday 10 - 7     Closed Monday