With the help of an amazing group of foster volunteers, the ASPCA Foster Care Program gives animals who are not yet ready for adoption a chance to live and be loved in foster homes. Through this exciting partnership between our staff and NYC-area volunteers, the ASPCA is able to:
- Reduce the amount of time an animal lives in the Adoption Center
- Accept more animals into our Adoption Center
- Increase adoptions by better preparing animals to become beloved family members
By becoming a volunteer foster caregiver to ASPCA animals, you’ll get the chance to spend QT with some tiny kittens, teach a dog how to love and be loved, or watch an injured kitty get back on her feet thanks to your care and attention. It’s an immensely rewarding experience you’ll never forget, and it saves animals’ lives in a very direct way.
If you live in the New York City area and you think you’ve got what it takes to become an ASPCA volunteer foster caregiver, read on!
Meet the Candidates
Which four-legged friends do we send home with foster caregivers? Foster candidates are animals who aren’t quite ready for adoption—usually mothers with newborn litters, young kittens and puppies, and recovering sick or injured animals. Some simply need an attentive foster caregiver to help socialize them so they’re completely ready to be successful family members.
Before entering foster care, all animal candidates are reviewed by ASPCA veterinarians and behavior counselors.
Supplies
The ASPCA provides our foster caregivers with all the food and supplies they need to take care of their foster animals, and we cover all medical expenses for foster animals, including medication.
You need only provide your home—and attention and love for your foster animals!
Training
The ASPCA provides training classes to prepare you to care for a foster animal. Whether you plan to foster cats or dogs, you'll need to take our two-hour Foster Care Orientation Class. Dog fosterers must also take our two-hour Dog Foster Class.
If you run into questions, our Foster Care Management Team will be there to support you every step of the way. And when it comes time, we’ll help you prepare to say goodbye to your foster charges as they head to our Adoption Center to find loving forever homes.
Getting Started
Ready to enroll? Follow these simple steps to becoming an ASPCA foster care volunteer:
- Contact either Ben Li'Gon at Benjamin.Ligon@aspca.org, Bridgett Knote at Bridgett.Knote@aspca.org or Stephen Cameron at Stephen.Cameron@aspca.org if you live in the NYC area, and let them know you want to become a foster caregiver for the ASPCA.
- The Foster Care Management Team will send you additional information and guidelines. Attached will be a foster care questionnaire that you must complete before you can be enrolled in the Foster Care Program.
- Sign up for orientation!
Please note: We require foster caregivers to be at least 21 years old. If you are not 21 years old, you’ll need a guardian to attend the Foster Care Orientation Class with you.
But what’s fostering really like? Check out a few foster caregivers’ stories about the magic of fostering for the ASPCA!
Foster Stories
It’s A Family Affair
Longtime volunteer Andrea explains why fostering has brought her family together and brought out the best in her kids.
Canine Kindergarten
Foster mom Marisol has cared for cats and dogs of all ages, but she currently specializes in providing socialization and love to puppies.
Ruffian Rehab
Staten Island native Donna Marie is a lifelong animal rescuer who became a foster parent to get her "kitten fix." Now she's hooked!
Kitten Conundrum
A true ASPCA hero, Suki has provided a foster home for more than 80 cats and kittens since 2008.
Kitten Bed and Breakfast
Tarlan, one of our busiest foster caregivers, gushes about the joys of fostering kittens.
The Missy Chronicles
Leslie shares stories—and video—from her summer caring for pregnant Missy—her sixth summer with ASPCA kittens!
From Foster Caregiver to Adopter: One New Yorker’s Story
One month with Taylor was all Amish needed—this hip hop-loving kitty danced her way right into his life.
Fospice Stories
Sometimes shelters receive animals who are not medically healthy enough for adoption, but still have the right to live out their golden years in loving homes and with proper medical treatment. For these pets, the ASPCA supports finding homes that are part foster, part hospice—or "fospice." Are you ready to open your heart and home to a fospice animal?
Chelli Shuffle
After two years as a fospice pet parent for Michelle, a senior with a history of neglect, Jenifer K. wants potential foster parents to know just how rewarding fospice care is.
Guardian Angel and “Fospice” Caregiver
Vanessa, Bolo and Sophie each touched Kathy in their own way—they also taught her neighborhood a lesson or two.
Dena, “Fospice” Caregiver
While searching for a perfect foster home for Blaze, we introduced her to Dena. Blaze gave Dena one gaze, and it was love at first sight.