Foster Care
Foster Care
Foster care provides temporary homes for animals in need until they are ready for adoption. Some animals require extra time, medical care, or socialization before they can find their forever homes. By opening your home to a foster pet, you are giving them the best chance at a happy, healthy future.
Who Needs Foster Care?
Many different types of animals benefit from foster care, including:
- Puppies and kittens too young for adoption
- Animals recovering from illness, injury, or surgery
- Pets needing socialization and confidence-building
- Senior animals who thrive in a home environment
- Shelter pets needing a break from the kennel setting
Our greatest need for foster care is for newborn bottle babies. These kittens (or puppies!) are the most vulnerable animals in our care and require around-the-clock support, including bottle feedings every 2-3 hours, a constant heat source, and assistance with relieving themselves after each feeding.
Foster Family Qualifications
To become a foster, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a separate space to house foster animals away from household pets
- Have access to email or a cell phone for communication with shelter staff
- Live within one hour of the shelter for easy access to medical care and check-ins, especially in case of emergency
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do animals stay in foster care? Foster durations vary depending on the animal’s needs. Some may only need a couple of weeks, while others require a few months.
What does the shelter provide? Our shelter provides food, medical care, and supplies like bedding, crates, and toys. Foster families provide love, care, and a safe environment.
Do I need experience to foster? No prior experience is required! We provide training and support to ensure you and your foster pet succeed.
What if I work full time? Many of our foster families work full-time jobs! We help match you with an animal that fits your schedule, and most pets are comfortable being alone during the day. Puppies, bottle babies, or medical cases may need extra care, but we provide guidance and support to make fostering manageable.
The Rewards of Fostering
Fostering animals has benefits for both the animals and the people involved:
For the Animals:
- Increases adoption chances – Animals in foster homes get more socialization and one-on-one care, making them more adoptable.
- Provides medical recovery – Sick, injured, or post-surgery animals get the rest and care they need to heal.
- Gives young animals a chance – Puppies, kittens, or orphaned animals get the nurturing they need to grow strong.
- Reduces stress- Shelters can be overwhelming, but a home environment helps animals feel safe and relaxed.
For the Foster Family:
- Enjoy companionship without long-term commitment – Perfect for people who love animals but can’t adopt permanently.
- Helps save lives – Providing a temporary home directly contributes to an animal’s well-being and future.
- Feels rewarding – Seeing an animal grow, heal, and find their forever home is an incredible experience.
Fostering truly changes lives—both for the animals and the people who open their homes to them.
Ready to get started?
All that’s left to do is fill out an application by clicking the link below! Completed applications can be mailed to 693 Mount Hope Ave, Bangor, ME 04401, or emailed to [email protected]. After your application is reviewed and approved, you will attend an in person orientation. Foster care orientations typically take 30 minutes to complete, and involve watching a brief slideshow, filling out paperwork, and receiving your foster care handbook.
