Fostering a Pet through Pottawatomie County Humane Society

Fostering is a very rewarding experience for everyone involved. Not only do foster parents nurture and care for their charges; they really "share" the experience with the animals, receiving lots of nurture and care right back!

Many people faced with homeless animals tell themselves, "It's so sad, but there's nothing I can do." Well, fortunately, there is something you can do without making a lifetime commitment.

People who choose to foster do so because they feel good knowing they are making a difference, every minute and every day, in the life of an innocent soul; that a few months of inconvenience turns quickly into a rewarding, educational, challenging, and fun experience they will never forget. Many families foster as a way to teach their children about compassion and responsibility in a creative and collaborative way. While it's true that fosters do get very attached to their animals, they also find a special joy in sending a pet to a wonderful new family.

Commonly Asked Questions about Fostering Dogs

Do I get to choose which dog I foster?
Yes, as long as the dog is a good fit for your household. You will be asked to complete a
foster home application (PDF). If you prefer, we can also email you the application. This helps us recommend which dogs might best suit your home. In addition, the State of Kansas requires all of our foster homes be licensed. To get a license there is a short form you will need to complete that we will submit for you.  

How much will it cost to foster a dog?
PCHS pays the cost of all veterinary care, food, and other supplies the dog may need.

What will I be expected to do as a foster parent?
You will be asked to provide a safe and loving home environment for your foster pet. Whenever possible we encourage you to bring your foster dog to adoption events. These are normally held at Petco in Manhattan the first and third Saturday of the month. As you get to know your foster dog we ask that you email us information that we can include in the dog’s biography on Petfinder.com. If you have a digital camera, any photos you provide are helpful. A good picture can make a huge difference in the amount of interest a dog generates on Petfinder.

How long does it take for a dog to get adopted?
There is no set time on how long a particular dog will be in your home. It may range from a few weeks to a few months for a dog to find a permanent home. Since we do not discriminate on what dogs come into our shelter some of our dogs are special needs and may require more time in a home environment before they are adopted. We may have senior dogs or dogs with health issues that also need foster homes.

What if I need to leave town?
We are always available to take your foster dog back while you are gone.

Will I be involved in choosing the dog’s new owner?
Yes. Our foster homes are involved in the screening process of potential adopters, in order to find the best home for the dog.