Foster Parent Online Application

Calgary Humane Society often receives animals that require just a little bit of extra care. Whether they are too young for adoption, ill, injured or ill-mannered, they require temporary homes to grow, recover and learn. Temporary homes are also needed for animals admitted to the shelter for safe-keeping while their owners are escaping domestic violence situations and our emergency boarding program. You can help us save lives by becoming a foster parent.

Interested in becoming a CHS Foster Parent? It’s just three easy steps!

  1. Please take a look at the details below to help you understand what exactly being a foster parent at CHS entails.
  2. Fill out our online application.
  3. If we would like to move forward with your application, we will schedule an interview/orientation at your earliest convenience.

Every year, over 1100 animals are cared for through Calgary Humane Society’s foster program – making the animals more adoptable and giving each a second chance to find happy homes. We particularly need foster homes that can care for mom dogs with puppies, dogs with behaviour concerns, (our Behaviour Department staff would work closely with fosters) and mother cats with their litters of kittens. These animals tend to be longer term foster animals.

Foster parents take animals into their own homes, providing basic care which includes exercise, food, grooming and love, as well as special care such as medications, socializing or training. All types of animals are involved and parents can choose which types of animals they would prefer to foster. All supplies and vet care are provided by CHS. Foster time is generally two to four weeks, after which the animals are returned to the shelter and placed in adoptions.

Potential foster parents must attend a Foster Parent Information Session (held at CHS) and go through an interviewing and screening process followed by an orientation. A basic knowledge of animal care and behaviour along with a willingness to attend further training is required. A home where pets are allowed is also a must and medical knowledge or pet first-aid is an asset.