You must be at least 18 years old to participate in our foster program. If you are under 18, you are welcome to foster alongside a parent or guardian. Please have them complete our foster on-boarding process below.

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Keep in mind that kittens thrive in groups. Litters of 3 or less will be placed together. Litters of 4 or more can be fostered out in pairs, but we do not separate kittens into single kittens.

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Please describe the pets you live with, including species, ages, and type. Include any foster pets you have.

I work full time (gone 8 hours or more each day), I work part time (out of the house for 4-6 hours each day), I stay at home most days, I travel frequently for work, etc.

We believe that all pets should be spayed or neutered whenever possible. Spayed and neutered pets live longer, healthier lives! If you need assistance with spaying or neutering your pet, please contact one of the following low cost clinics in Houston: Emancipet, Texas Litter Control, Mercy Pet Clinic or SNAP. If you need additional information about spay / neuter services in Harris County, please email houstonvolunteer@bestfriends.org

A fully vaccinated pet should have received the following : FVRCP for cats, DHPP and Bordetella for dogs, Rabies for both. Shelter pets are exposed to a variety of illnesses, and vaccines are the best prevention against these illnesses. If owned pets are not vaccinated, or you aren't sure when they were last vaccinated, we strongly recommend that your pets are up-to-date on vaccines before bringing home a foster pet. If you need assistance with vaccinating your pet, please contact one of the following low cost clinics in Houston: Emancipet, Ready Pet Vet Clinic, SNAP, or Thrive. Please contact houstonvolunteer@bestfriends.org if you have questions about vaccines.

We rely on donations for foster supplies, so please ensure that crates, carriers and other reusable items are returned to a Best Friends Representative after fostering!

Please understand that if you're fostering for an animal that is slated for transport that the animal is not available for local adoption. If you think that you're looking for a new family member a better option would be to foster for local adoptions so you have the choice to adopt them.

Your foster will require TWO vaccines before being able to be transported or be adopted. Generally, vaccines are done at 6 weeks of age and 3-week intervals after 1st vaccine. This means that each foster will require extra vetting trips outside of spay/neuter surgery or any illnesses that may arise.

Fosters are required to get a Health Certificate the week before transports and Surgery or age appropriate vaccines for foster pets prior to local adoption. Fosters are required to schedule appointments with our medical team and give rides to local clinics for medical needs.

I understand that my household cannot foster multiple animals or litters of animals without the prior approval of the Foster Coordinator. This includes not fostering for multiple agencies at the same time, not fostering multiple unrelated animals from Best Friends, and multiple people within a shared living environment fostering different animals without the Foster Coordinator’s prior knowledge and approval. 

I agree to the following terms regarding my participation as a Foster Parent for Best Friends Animal Society: Volunteer foster care structure. a. Subject to the remainder of the terms set forth herein, I agree to provide a temporary home for any animals Best Friends entrusts into my care for the agreed upon foster period. Any identification tags will remain on the foster animal for the entire foster period. I understand that I am responsible for the care (food, water, exercise, socialization, shelter) of my foster animal(s) as long as they are my foster animal(s). b. I understand that any Best Friends foster animal in my care is owned by Best Friends and can be removed from my care at any time by Best Friends, at its sole discretion, for any or no reason. I agree to surrender my foster animal(s) to Best Friends upon receiving notification of the termination of the foster agreement. c. I understand that my household cannot foster multiple animals or litters of animals without the prior approval of the Foster Coordinator. This includes not fostering for multiple agencies at the same time, not fostering multiple unrelated animals from Best Friends, and multiple people within a shared living environment fostering different animals without the Foster Coordinator’s prior knowledge and approval. d. By signing this agreement, I consent to home checks before and while I foster animals for Best Friends. I understand that Best Friends staff may choose to not perform home checks, and that Best Friends staff will provide 24 hours’ notice prior to any home check. I also understand that I can request a home check prior to or during a Best Friends foster experience. Routine care of foster animal(s). e. I understand that I can choose to provide food and appropriate toys for my foster animal(s). If I’m unable to do so, Best Friends will provide food for me to feed my foster animal(s). If necessary, Best Friends will also provide non-clumping litter for kittens and cats. f. I will not allow others to care for my foster animal(s) unless I have received approval from the Foster Coordinator. I am responsible for the well-being of my foster animal(s) at all times. g. If my foster animal becomes lost, I will IMMEDIATELY text Best Friends (713-542-1756). With the assistance of the Foster Coordinator, I will actively search for and post missing pet signs about the missing foster animal. h. Foster dogs should be allowed indoors/outdoors but must be provided with a secure fenced area when outside, including shelter from the elements. If you do not have a fenced area, you must take your foster dog on leashed walks. Foster dogs will always be under my control either on leash or within the confines of my property. i. All foster kittens and cats must be kept INSIDE ONLY. j. I understand and acknowledge that Best Friends requires resident pets to be kept separate from foster pets when not supervised. This is a definite requirement with foster kittens and resident cats. If my pet becomes ill, I understand that Best Friends will not provide medical care for my pet. Best Friends will provide all medical care for foster animal(s). Medical and behavioral care and concerns. k. In the case of a medical emergency for dogs and cats, I will immediately text Best Friends (713-542-1756). If it is determined that immediate medical care is required, I will bring my foster animal to the veterinary clinic specified by Best Friends. I understand that if I choose to seek off-site veterinary care for my foster animal(s) without the authorization of Best Friends, I am responsible for any costs incurred. l. If I encounter behavioral concerns with my foster animal(s), I will contact the Foster Coordinator. I understand that foster animals often have unknown medical and behavioral histories and may show novel behaviors once in foster care. I agree to work through these issues to the best of my ability with the assistance of Best Friends’ staff by only using their training and behavior methods. If concerns are beyond my ability to manage, I will notify the Foster Coordinator and the foster animal will return to Best Friends. Promoting foster animal(s) for adoption. m. If my foster animal is ready for adoption, I understand that part of the responsibility of a foster volunteer is to feature my foster animal(s) for adoption in my neighborhood and with my friends and family. Because I have experience with my foster animal(s) in a home environment, I’m able to answer questions for potential adopters. I will make my foster animal(s) available to meet potential adopters and understand that the final decision of adoption is up to Best Friends’ adoption staff. If my foster animal isn’t ready for adoption, I understand that I can promote my foster as a future candidate for adoption and understand that if I am wanting to adopt the animal myself, I must complete the appropriate paperwork before a potential adopter is found. n. For all foster animals, as soon as I identify an appropriate potential adopter, I will contact the Foster Coordinator. I will coordinate with Best Friends and any approved adopters to transfer my foster animal(s) into the adopter’s care as soon as the animal is eligible for adoption. Liability and assumption of risk. o. I understand that any animal, including foster animals, may pose a risk of injury, death, illness or damage to me, my family, other persons, other animals or to personal property. I voluntarily and knowingly assume any and all risks associated with my agreement to act as a foster parent, including the risk of injury, death, illness or damage. p. I hereby waive and release Best Friends Animal Society, its board members, directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors and volunteers, from any claims, causes of action or liability for any injury, illness or damage to self, other persons, animals or property once the animal is in my foster care. q. I have read this Release Agreement and fully understand that I will relinquish all claims or actions known now or in the future against Best Friends Animal Society, its board members, directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors and volunteers. I am of legal age and legally competent to sign this agreement. I am signing this agreement of my own free will without the influence of a Best Friends Animal Society staff member. The Foster Parent agrees that he/she is legally competent to enter into this agreement and this agreement is binding upon the heirs, assigns, successors, personal representatives, and executors of both parties. Sign your first and last name on the line below to indicate your acceptance of these terms. Please Type Full Name: