Foster

Volunteer foster families help JHS by providing temporary, in-home care to JHS animals who are underage, sick, injured, in need of socialization, or simply in need of a break from the shelter.

I Want to Foster Cats or Kittens

I Want to Foster Cats or Kittens

I Want to Foster Dogs or Puppies

I Want to Foster Dogs or Puppies

Resources for Current Foster Parents

Resources for Current Foster Parents

Fostering FAQ

Yes! Any adult or family can foster animals for JHS. Fostering is a great family activity – adults can supervise kids and teens while they practice their animal care skills!

There are no housing requirements. If you have pets at home, you must be able to separate your foster animal from your pets.

We are always seeking foster homes for:

  • Underage kittens and puppies
  • Nursing cats and dogs
  • Ill or injured animals that may need regular medication or medical attention
  • Kittens and puppies in need of socialization
  • Adult dogs and cats in need of a break from the shelter

To sign up to foster underage kittens OR adult cats in need of a medical foster, complete our foster application and then take a look at all the kittens and cats in need of foster homes.

To sign up to foster underage puppies OR adult dogs in need of a medical foster, complete our foster application and then take a look at all the puppies and dogs in need of foster homes.

If you’re interested in temporarily fostering an adult dog or cat in need of a break from the shelter, you’ll want to try out our Shelter Staycation program!

Shelter Staycations give our adult dogs and cats a much-needed break from the shelter and help us learn all about their personalities. While hosting a dog or cat for a Staycation, you can help them find a home by promoting them online and telling your friends and family all about them!

To get started, simply stop by our Adoption Center at 8464 Beach Blvd. during our hours of operation: Monday-Friday from 12-7pm and Saturday-Sunday from 10am-5pm. Ask our team at the front desk for a list of dogs and cats eligible for a Staycation or explore and look for dogs and cats with a Staycation suitcase tag hanging from their kennel!

If you have any questions about our Shelter Staycation program, please email our team at [email protected].

To see all pets who currently need a foster home, visit: jaxhumane.org/fosterneeds

The pets listed at jaxhumane.org/fosterneeds will typically be either underage kittens and puppies OR adult pets in need of a medical foster.

If you’re interested in temporarily fostering an adult dog or cat in need of a break from the shelter, you’ll want to try out our Shelter Staycation program! To see pets eligible to go on a Staycation, stop by the JHS Adoption Center at 8464 Beach Blvd. during our hours of operation: Monday-Friday from 12-7pm and Saturday-Sunday from 10am-5pm. You can ask our team at the front desk for a list of pets eligible for Staycations or you can explore the Adoption Center and look for pets with a Staycation suitcase tag hanging from their kennels.

JHS provides on-site veterinary care and all medication for foster pets during posted business hours. In addition, we strive to supply each foster parent with a two-week supply of wet/dry food, non-clumping litter, etc. since all underage animals will need to return to the shelter for bi-weekly preventative care (vaccines, deworming, etc.). Please note that the distribution of supplies is subject to availability. JHS greatly appreciates the generosity of foster parents who purchase supplies for their foster pets, which helps us to save even more lives!

We request that you follow all guidelines on feeding and medicating your foster pet as given to you by JHS staff. Alert us about any medical or behavioral changes in your foster pet, and keep your scheduled appointments.

Foster care length varies with the needs of the animal and your availability. Based on those factors, we can help determine which foster pet will work best for you. Some foster parents are only able to foster for 1 – 2 nights at a time, others provide foster care until the animal(s) are of adoptable age. All time frames are appreciated and lifesaving!

Our staff is here to guide you – we periodically offer bottle feeding classes either in-person or virtually. You can always start with puppies or kittens who are eating on their own and work your way up to bottle feeding. There are also excellent resources online. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

Foster parents are welcome to adopt in most cases. Remember that some pets may already have a home lined up before you take them to foster care. Foster parents who adopt must complete all adoption paperwork and fees may be included.

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