A foster home is a temporary home where dogs and cats can live while in the adoption program. Placing pets in a foster home, as opposed to a shelter, helps to socialize and prepare the animal for its future family environment.
Homeward Bound provides the supplies necessary to properly house and nurture the foster pet while it is in foster care. Vaccinations, health exams, food and spaying or neutering are provided at no cost to the foster parent(s).
Our team of volunteers is available to answer questions and provide support to make this experience enjoyable for the parents and the foster pet until the animal is adopted. The foster provider provides the love and special attention, works with the animal on basic obedience skills and shares with the Homeward Bound staff any behavioral or emotional problems the animal might be experiencing. Addressing these problems during the foster care period, enhances the chances for adoption a hundred-fold!
The program is designed to be completed within 4-12 weeks and a foster must be made available for our monthly Open House at the kennel in Gilmer County. If the foster is not adopted, the provider may pick up the fostered animal at the end of the event. During the fall season especially, we are active with off-site locations. The foster will be advised of the times and locations.
Anyone wishing to become an approved Homeward Bound Foster Care Provider should complete this Foster Care Application.