SPCA Tampa Bay’s Foster Program

Our Foster Program is a vital component of SPCA Tampa Bay’s mission to save lives and find loving homes for the animals in our care. The program provides temporary homes for animals recovering from surgery, pets that need some socialization, or those who will simply thrive better in a home environment than in a shelter setting. To apply to become a Foster volunteer, please CLICK HERE.

Our Foster Program allows volunteers and employees to temporarily care for animals in their homes, helping us alleviate overcrowding at the shelter and giving the animals a comfortable environment to thrive in. By fostering, volunteers play a crucial role in the rehabilitation of these animals, allowing them to adjust to home life and increasing their chances of a successful adoption.

Key Benefits of the Foster Program include:

  • Saving Lives: Fostering allows us to make room in the shelter for more animals in need, directly saving lives by increasing our capacity.
  • Enhanced Animal Care: Foster homes provide a less stressful environment for animals, which can lead to improved behavior and health.
  • Community Engagement: This program offers a unique way for community members to support our mission by caring for animals in need.
  • Space and Resources Management: By reducing the number of animals at the shelter, we can better allocate our resources and focus on those with urgent needs.

To apply to become a Foster volunteer, please CLICK HERE.

FAQs

Who Can Be a Foster? Anyone 18 years or older with reliable transportation and time to dedicate can be a foster parent! Whether you’re interested in helping kittens or puppies grow, nursing sick animals back to health, or assisting with recovery after surgery, there’s a place for you in our foster program at SPCA Tampa Bay. Everyone has something valuable to offer an animal in need.

How Do I Become a Foster? Becoming a foster parent is a simple process designed to set you up for success. Here’s how to get started:

  1. Submit an Application: Start by completing the foster application through our volunteer portal.
  2. Watch Orientation Videos: After submitting your application, you’ll receive an introductory email with links to our foster orientation videos.
  3. One-on-One Meeting: Once you’ve watched the videos, reach out to our Foster Coordinator to schedule a one-on-one meeting to complete your onboarding.

What Animals Are Available for Foster? Our foster animals are pre-selected by the foster team and will not be available for adoption at the time. Most of the animals needing foster care are:

  • Kittens or puppies that need to reach a certain weight before spaying or neutering
  • Mother cats or dogs nursing their litter
  • Sick animals in need of extra care
  • Animals recovering from surgery
  • Respite care for older or stressed animals

Please note, these animals may have internal parasites, illnesses, or diarrhea. While we can’t guarantee that an animal will be 100% healthy, we will provide foster parents with all known information.

How Will I Know if Animals Are Available to Foster? Once you’re an approved foster, you’ll be added to our weekly email list. Each week, you’ll receive a link to our Trello board, where available foster animals are posted. Each animal will have an information card with details to help you determine if they’d be a good fit for your home.

Foster placements are made on a first-come, first-served basis, so the first email we receive will be the first opportunity to foster that animal.

How Long Will I Foster an Animal? The length of time you’ll care for your foster depends on the animal’s needs. For example, puppies and kittens typically stay in foster care until they’re around 8 weeks old and ready for spaying/neutering and adoption. Animals recovering from surgery or with special needs may stay longer. We’ll always try to match you with a foster that fits your schedule and lifestyle, though timelines can vary.

What If Someone Wants to Adopt My Foster? If an adopter expresses interest in your foster animal, just let our Foster Coordinator know! We’ll work with you to arrange a time for the adoption to take place, making sure the transition is smooth for both you and the new family.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

  • Medical Care & Supplies: SPCA Tampa Bay provides all necessary medical care and supplies, so you won’t incur any out-of-pocket expenses.
  • Emergency Care: For after-hours emergencies, you can take your foster pet to one of our approved emergency clinics, and we’ll cover the costs.
  • Resident Pets: To ensure the health and safety of all animals, we require that your resident pets are up-to-date on vaccinations and have a current rabies license. Additionally, foster pets should be kept separate from resident pets for a 14-day quarantine period.

How Do I Get Started? It’s easy to become a foster parent! Just complete the online application through our volunteer portal, and our Volunteer Coordinator will reach out with the next steps. You’ll be glad you did—and so will the animals in need!

If you have any questions about our foster program, please let us know!

Phone: (727) 586-3592 ext. 131

Email: Foster@spcatampabay.org