Kitsap Humane Society

Any Home Can Be A Foster Home!

We need foster volunteers! Any amount of time an animal spends in a foster home is beneficial, whether that’s an overnight sleepover or until they are adopted! Even if you can’t commit to something long-term, you can make a positive and lasting impact on an animal’s life. Learn more and get started below!

Foster Update:

Our largest foster need is for people who are able to care for ill or injured animals, animals who are stressed by being in a kennel, or underage puppies and kittens who come to the shelter with or without a mom.

If you are interested in becoming a member of our foster team long-term, please email a foster care questionnaire to foster@kitsap-humane.org.

A member of our team will get back to you to provide all the details you need to become a foster parent, as we have transitioned to a virtual orientation!

Kitsap Humane Society needs Foster Care Volunteers year round! Join us in saving lives.

Why Foster?

Foster homes are needed to provide temporary homes for animals whose current medical or behavior conditions are not manageable in a shelter setting. By taking a foster animal into your home on a temporary basis, the animal is given the opportunity to adjust to a home environment, given additional time to find a permanent home and recover from any current medical conditions in a comfortable setting, and provides more room at the shelter for another animal in need. Foster care is needed year-round for:

Kittens and puppies
Adult cats and dogs
The Pet Protection Program – offers a temporary safe haven for cats belonging to victims of domestic violence, people experiencing job loss, homelessness, or other unexpected life changes. Learn more about the Pet Protection Program here.

How it works

What it takes

Fostering a shelter animal is a wonderful, rewarding experience, but can also be time-consuming and hard work.

Although previous fostering experience is not required, the ideal foster parent will have basic knowledge of animal care and training, as well as a desire to find their foster animal a safe, loving forever home.

As a foster parent, you will provide your animals with care, including food, water, shelter, litter, training, and trips to Kitsap Humane Society for medical treatment when necessary.

The length of foster care commitment varies widely based on each animal. Some animals may only need a couple weeks of foster care; other animals may need many months of foster care. The length of time can depend on the animal’s age, medical issues, or adoptability.

What you get

Kitsap Humane Society provides Foster Parents and their foster pets with pet food, basic vet care, and behavior training resources and support as needed. If requested, we can pair new Foster Parents with an experienced Foster Mentor who can provide one-on-one support.

Donated treats, toys, and litter are also available for Foster Parents when available.

Become a Foster Parent!

To join Kitsap Humane Society’s Foster Care Program, please:

Complete the Foster Care Questionnaire and email it to foster@kitsap-humane.org. You can also submit it at the KHS customer service desk during business hours or mail it in.

Attend Virtual Foster Care Orientation! The Foster Team will email you within 1-2 weeks after submitting your application to take you through our virtual orientation.

If you would like more information before attending Orientation, review the Foster Program Manual and Kitten or Puppy Manual.

Once you’ve attended Virtual Foster Care Orientation, you’ll be added to our email list and contacted when we have pets in need of placement!

Requirements for the KHS Foster Care Program:

Foster Parents must be at least 16 years old. Foster Parents ages 16 and 17 must have written approval from a parent or legal guardian.
All resident dogs and cats must be up to date on vaccines.
If interested in fostering a dog and have dogs at home, you must bring resident dogs into the shelter with you to meet with each potential foster dog to avoid any major personality clashes.