Fostering Program

Orange tabby kitten looking through the legs of a stoolFostering Makes a Difference

When you foster a pet, you contribute to the animal's healthy physical and physiological development. You also save lives. Our foster homes saved over 100 lives last year. We're grateful for all our foster homes. A special thank you to local charity Just Because for taking on several bottle-fed infant kittens!

Is Fostering Right for You?

Here's how you find out:

  • Email Animal Services and let us know you're interested. We will invite you for a shelter tour to meet prospective foster animals and decide which ones might fit.
  • Fill out a foster care application and sign a contract, both available via PDF
  • Provide proof of current rabies vaccinations for any existing pets

a person holding a group of kittensWe Provide Supplies

We give you everything you need to foster the animal. All you need to provide is love.

  • Food and supplies
  • Basic medical care
  • Access to a private foster Facebook group for discussion and online camaraderie
  • Resources for socializing and husbandry

Kittens

It is critical for kittens to develop in a home instead of a cage. Adjusting to human interaction this way has proven health and behavior benefits. Farmers Branch Animal Services (FBAS) often needs foster homes for the following:

  • Under-socialized kittens that need to acclimate to human handling and adoption
  • Housing underweight and orphaned kittens until they weigh enough for sterilization surgery and adoption
  • All types of cats, from easy entry-level fosters to salty ferals who need a more experienced handler

a person holding a puppyPuppies

Occasionally, FBAS will get a litter of puppies, single puppies or a mom who is about to deliver.

  • The ideal situation for wee ones is a few weeks in foster
  • The mothers are a 6-8 week commitment
  • Puppies can get pretty messy as they grow older but they're quite entertaining.

Adult Dogs and Cats

Some of our dogs could really use a weekend out of the shelter, a foster-to-adopt situation or to learn some manners. If you think this might be a good project for you and your family, please contact us!