Our Foster Care program truly saves lives! Pueblo Animal Services receives many healthy animals under the age of eight weeks, as well as older animals with injuries.

Since we shelter more than 23,000 animals a year, space is limited for keeping these animals until they're old enough or well enough for adoption. To meet this need, our Foster Care Program temporarily places these animals in private homes until they may be adopted. This volunteer-based program provides a nurturing environment for animals so they may mature, heal, socialize and become adoptable.

While we always need general foster homes for the plethora of underage kittens and puppies the shelter receives annually, there are also specific needs that can be challenging to accommodate:

Large-breed pregnant dogs, who usually have litters of 8 - 10 puppies on average
Medical cases needing follow-up care such as vet checks at the shelter or at a local clinic
Dogs and cats recovering from kennel cough, a minor respiratory infection that is much easier to treat and has a faster recovery time in a home environment than in the shelter
Behaviorally challenged dogs, specifically toy breeds, that don't adjust to the shelter environment. These foster homes need to be quiet homes without small children.

Interested in being a Foster Parent? While this is a very flexible volunteer position, it requires a great deal of dedication and time. The benefits can be extremely rewarding. You'll receive unconditional love from your foster pet, and the joy of knowing your foster pet has found a permanent, loving home. This is an ideal volunteer opportunity for anyone willing to make a short-term commitment to helping an individual pet.

If you considering becoming a Foster Parent, here are few things to remember:

All animals must be returned to Pueblo Animal Services at the end of the foster period.
Animals brought into your home may have a contagious disease that can infect your own animals if exposed. We thus recommend current vaccinations for all animals in your home and, when appropriate, a separate room for fostering. You should expect to treat foster pets through upper respiratory infections, which are common in animal shelters; Pueblo Animal Services provides all medication and supplies needed and shelter staff can train you on the simple administration of the medicine.
Most often these are young animals that enjoy chewing and scratching and may be destructive if not adequately supervised or confined when supervision is not possible.
We will need frequent updates throughout the foster period.
Your work schedule must allow you to take home animals that may need medication during the day or follow-up veterinarian care for those with injuries.

If you are interested in becoming a Foster Parent please email or call Foster Care Coordinator Janet Neales at 719-544-3005, extension 105 for more information.