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Get Involved Foster Program

Foster a Pet

Foster Pets

Every year, over 1100 animals are cared for through Calgary Humane Society’s foster program—helping the animals become more adoptable and giving them a second chance to find happy homes.

Become a Foster Parent

We rely on foster parents to care for the animals at Calgary Humane Society who need just a little bit of extra care. Whether they are too young for adoption, ill, injured, or ill-mannered, foster pets require temporary homes to grow, recover, and learn. Temporary homes are also needed for animals admitted to the shelter for safekeeping while their owners are escaping domestic violence or using our emergency boarding program. You can help us save lives by becoming a foster parent.

To foster a pet, complete the application form below.

Complete the Application Form

How It Works

How to Foster a Pet

Interested in becoming a foster parent? At Calgary Humane Society, there are three essential steps.

  1. Review all the information on our website to understand what exactly being a foster parent involves.
  2. Fill out our online application.
  3. If we would like to move forward with your application, we will schedule an interview/orientation to discuss the next steps.

What do Foster Parents do?

Foster parents are essential partners of Calgary Humane Society, and they fill an important role for pets who need additional care beyond what we can offer in a shelter setting. Successful foster parents understand the importance of this role and the additional work that foster pets require beyond what an ordinary pet needs.

Foster parents take animals into their own homes and provide primary care, including exercise, food, grooming, and love. They also provide special care such as medications, socializing, or training. All types of animals are involved in the foster program and parents can choose which types of animals they would prefer to foster. CHS provides all supplies and vet care.

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. For all foster animals, supplies and vet care are provided by Calgary Humane Society.

How do I become a Calgary Humane Society Foster Parent?

Once you complete the three steps above and your application meets all requirements, you must attend a Foster Parent Information Session held at Calgary Humane Society. You’ll also need to go through our screening process, followed by an orientation. Basic knowledge of animal care and behaviour and a willingness to attend further training are required. A home where pets are allowed is also a must and medical knowledge or pet first-aid is an asset.

Apply to be a Foster Parent

A brown tabby cat squints with an open mouth.