By fostering a homeless pet, you are enabling us to have more space at the shelter to take in more animals. There are hundreds of puppies and kittens sitting at the city pound awaiting their fate. The more we can take in, the more lives we can save.
Fostering is an integral part of our organization. By utilizing a dedicated volunteer network and a home setting to get animals rehabilitated and ready to be re-homed, we can help animals that we would otherwise not be able to facilitate. It is through foster homes that more animals are given the chance at life they deserve.
One of the main reasons we need puppies and kittens in foster homes is because they have depressed immunities at young ages, and until they’re fully vaccinated, they’re more susceptible to getting sick. We also need foster homes for animals that are recovering from surgery and some that are too shy or timid to enter our Adoption Center
What would my responsibilities be?
Become a PAWS Chicago Foster Parent!As a foster parent, you would be responsible for taking a homeless animal into your home and providing him/her with food, water, toys and lots of love. We provide all medical care, and a support team to help you with any questions you may have during the foster period. Foster parents may also be required to transport their foster animals to scheduled medical appointments or adoption events. In some instances the foster parent may be asked to administer medications or special diets. Foster parents should be committed to the animal/s that they are fostering for the agreed foster period.
The Emergency Network
Occasionally there is an emergency situation where in order to rescue a particular animal we need to have a foster home already “on-call”. Our On-Call Emergency Network lets us take in orphaned neo-natal kittens, nursing mothers, animals with medical conditions and senior animals by having a foster home ready on the other end. Emergency Network fosters may have to be home longer periods of time and have experience with animals. Having any special skills, vet tech experience, or neo-natal experience are helpful in candidacy for The Emergency Network. The Emergency Network is a major part of PAWS Chicago’s dedication to no-kill. We are always in need of foster homes to be part of this network. For more information on this program please contact the foster hotline at 773-475-9464.
How do I Become a Foster Parent?
We recommend attending a PAWS Chicago Volunteer Orientation. If you are currently an active volunteer and would like to become an Approved Foster Parent, complete the Foster Care Application online by clicking the button above.
If you would like more information on the Foster Program please contact us at 773-475-9464 or email foster@pawschicago.org. Please note that in order for you to become a PAWS Chicago foster parent, you must be 21 years of age or older.
