Foster Care FAQ

What is fostering?
Fostering means taking an animal into your home until it is ready to be adopted. 

What animals need fostering?
Animals that are not yet ready to be adopted need fostering. This could mean that the animal is not old enough to be adopted, sick or injured, pregnant, a mom with puppies/kittens, or needs socialization. Rabbits, dogs and cats are animals that are eligible for fostering.

Can I foster if I have pets of my own?
Yes. We ask that your pet be up to date on vaccinations, spayed or neutered, and kept separated from the foster animal. QHS offers food, medication and veterinary care for the foster animal, but NOT your own. 

What if I only want to foster one type of animal, such as kittens?
Volunteers may specify what type of animal best suits their lifestyle and home situation. 

I work outside the home during the day. Can I still foster?
Being away from the foster animal for a reasonable amount of time is fine. Some fosters require more attention, however, such as orphaned kittens that need to be bottle fed every 2-3 hours. 

How do I start?
Call the Quincy Humane Society at (217)223-8786 and a staff person will ask you several questions about your home situation and what you are looking to foster. Further information will be given at that time.

When will I get my foster animal?
You will get your foster animal as soon as one that fits your situation needs a foster home. For example, if you would like to foster a mom with kittens, you would have to wait until that situation happens.

What does it cost?
QHS will provide the food and medical bills for the foster animal ONLY. Your resident animals are still your financial responsibility. You may choose to purchase your own food if you would like (which is considered a QHS donation and is tax deductable), but the food you purchase must be the same or better quality of food that the shelter gives the animals. 

What do I do if the foster animal would get ill?
If your foster animal came down with an illness, contact QHS and ask what should be done. Staff may say to bring the animal in to the shelter to be looked at, or may tell you to take the animal to Katherine Road Animal Hospital, our approved veterinarian. All trips to the veterinarian must be approved by shelter staff. If you make the decision to go to the veterinarian without speaking to staff or choose to take the animal to your personal veterinarian, you will be responsible for the bill.

Things to Consider Before Fostering:

• Am I capable of getting emotionally invested in an animal and then giving it up for adoption when the time comes?
• Do I have the time to devote to an animal that may need a lot of attention and care?
• Do I have the space this animal would require?
• How would my family and pets feel about a new, temporary addition to the family?
• If the foster animal should happen to pass away, would I be able to cope?

Objective: To provide a temporary, caring environment in the privacy of your home for a sick, injured, newborn, or otherwise needful animal. The goal is to return the animal to the shelter as a healthy, socialized, adoptable companion animal.

Responsibilities: Responsible to feed, groom, socialize, house, and medicate animals while in your home environment. It is also important to ensure the animal’s safety and to respond to his/her immediate needs. 

Foster Parents MUST read, sign and comply with the Foster Care Agreement.

Foster animals must be isolated from other resident animals in your home. Also, make sure that your resident animals are current on all vaccinations.

The Volunteer Coordinator should be provided with regular updates on the animal(s)’ health, temperament, and behavior. Return the animal to the shelter at the needed times. 

Required Orientation and Training: Complete a Foster Care Application, allow staff to complete a home visit, and obtain a Foster Care License from the Department of Agriculture.

Supervision: The Foster Caretaker will be supervised by The Quincy Humane Society staff

If you have questions about the QHS Foster Care Program, please email Sue at animals@adams.net or (217) 223-8786.