Henrico Humane Society Foster Parent Program

Henrico Humane Society (HHS) does not have a shelter facility. Instead, we keep animals in temporary foster homes until permanent loving homes can be found. "Foster parents" provide love and attention, and HHS provides the food, support and medical care. Being a foster parent is a lot like being a grandparent!

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, please send an email to adopt@henricohumane.org. The greatest joy of being a foster parent is knowing that you saved the life of an animal that will be able to live the rest of it's days with a loving family.

Testamonials	Commonly Asked Questions about Fostering

Here are some "testimonials" from current foster parents:

The thing that I tell everyone when they ask me how I do it is..... how can I not? Many say "oh, I could never do that - I'd get too attached". That is true, you do get attached, but you realize very quickly that you can't keep them all so this is the next best thing. I almost always shed a few tears after each one leaves, but when I get those follow up emails and pictures from the new owners telling me how happy they are, it makes it all worthwhile. If I hadn't put myself through the physical and emotional inconvenience, where would they be instead of in this happy home being cared for and loved?
Cloresa, proud (and often tired!) foster mom

Helping four legged friends become a new family member sums it all up. That is what our jobs are all about. Getting dogs ready to become part of a family. Teaching them tricks like "sit" only helps my dogs become better. That want to prove themselves and not be out done by some new dog in the house. Teaching house breaking for the little ones, and reminding older ones what they need to do. It is time consuming, some are harder than others, but in the end you know you have done a good job because that dog has a new family.
Anne

I started fostering as a way to find a "friend" for my own dog, kind of as a way to take them out for a test drive while providing a home as well. I was scared to death to take my first foster, and made up excuses for a couple of months before I finally brought "Buddy" home. Now I'm on my 137th foster dog, and I truly can't imagine my life without my fosters. They absolutely know that you saved them, and are thankful in so many ways. An animal's capacity to forgive, even when they come from horrific situations, is endless, and I know I'm a better person for learning that lesson firsthand.

There are literally hundreds of animals each week that need rescue to avoid euthanasia, so I think I'm just a landing spot for them until "their" family comes along. Then they move on and make way for another lost animal waiting to go home.
Mary Beth

Not only is being a foster rewarding, but it's also a wonderful learning experience. You are able to help a dog learn new behaviors to enable them to become a treasured family member. Seeing their instincts and observing how they communicate with people and other animals is very special. It's great fun to watch as their personalities come alive and with that knowledge, you can place each animal in the best possible home. It just doesn't get any better than that!
Lynn

Commonly Asked Questions about Fostering

What do foster parents do?
Foster parents take care of the animals that HHS rescues until permanent homes can be found. Sometimes it takes a few days to find the right home, but sometimes it takes months or even years. HHS covers all of the expenses, and foster parents provide the love and attention that these animals so desperately need.

Can I safehouse more than one animal at a time?
If you can do so within the guidelines set by HHS, please do!!

What if I get an animal that has behavioral problems?
We try to match fosters with animal(s) that meet the description of the type of animal(s) they are willing to foster. Unfortunately, some animals come straight to your home, and we don't know about behavioral problems beforehand. Please don¹t give up right away. Contact your chairperson and see what can be done to correct the behavior. If you can't take on the problem, that doesn't mean you should not foster at all. You may need a different animal. HHS will, under certain circumstances, arrange to have a trainer work with you and the animal to try and correct the behavioral issues. If you can't take on the problem, that doesn't mean you should not foster at all.

How do I know what vet to go to?
The chairperson will authorize treatment at a vet when needed and will tell you which vet to go to. You may be asked to take an animal in your care to different vets due to the cost of different veterinary services. The more we keep our costs down, the more animals we can save. If the vet is inconvenient for you, please let the chairperson know and we will do our best to work with you.

What do I do in an emergency?
In an emergency, use your best judgment. Contact the chairperson as soon as possible, but not at the expense of the animal. If it's during business hours, take the animal to whatever vet is closest (if there is a choice, one that you know we use). If it's after business hours, call the Veterinary Emergency Center (located on Cary Street) at 353-9000 or the Veterinary Referral and Critical Care (located in Manakin-64 west) at 784-8722 and get directions and instructions. If you do not reach a chairperson before discharge, you may need to pay for the visit, and HHS will reimburse you as soon as possible. If a poisoning or medication overdose happens and the animal is not exhibiting emergency symptoms, please call the National Animal Poison Control Center at 1-900-680-0000 for instructions. A service fee will be attached to your phone bill. Submit a copy of the bill, and HHS will reimburse you.

How do I prepare for the adoption stand?
The animal should come to the adoption stand clean and with the appropriate collar, leash, or carrier. The animal's folder should be current and brought with the animal. Attach the crate card to the crate, and if you are not staying, give the folder to the coordinator.

Do I have to stay at the adoption stand?
No. You do not have to stay; however, we do request that you drop off and pick up animals on time because our workers have a long day and cannot stay late. It is important that you leave your contact info with the stand coordinator in case there is an issue with your foster or the stand ending time changes (usually due to extreme weather conditions.) It is strongly recommended that you accompany your foster to stand as often as possible. We find that you can help get your animal adopted because a safehouser knows many wonderful stories that potential adopters love.

Can I meet the adopters?
If you are present at the stand or the animal is adopted out from the home, you may meet the adopters. If not, we do have to preserve the privacy of the adopters and not give out their personal information.

Can I call the adopters after the adoption?
HHS conducts a follow-up call to adopters after an adoption occurs. However, this is a responsibility of people trained to do so. If you are trained, or are interested in becoming trained and would like to do the follow-up call, please let the chairperson know.

What if I am going on vacation?
We certainly don't expect you to provide pet-sitting for your foster animals while on vacation; however, you are welcome to include them in arrangements you may make for your own pets. If you prefer, we will provide in-home care for the animal (if available), another foster home, or boarding for your foster animals. Please let your chairperson know of your travel plans at least two weeks prior to your vacation. If you must leave town unexpectedly, please let the chairperson know as soon as possible.

What if I decide I don't want to foster anymore?
Please give the chairperson at least two weeks to arrange for alternative placements for whatever fosters you may have.

What if I want to adopt an animal?
You are welcome to apply to adopt any animal you are fostering.