Charlottesville365 | Foster a Dog (or Cat) from the Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA (CASPCA)

If you’re an animal lover, and have a little bit of room in your heart and home, the Charlottesville/Albemarle SPCA (CASPCA) has an exceptional animal fostering program that is a really great fit for lots of families. If you would love to have another pet but just can’t commit to one full-time due to a busy schedule, demanding work, or too much travel, the Charlottesville SPCA foster program may be a perfect fit!

The foster program begins with an online application, and then explores your ability to foster (i.e. do you rent or own? If you don’t own, are animals allowed? Do you have enough room? Are you away from the home too much to care for a foster pet?). After the qualification process is set up, a home visit may be schedule and then you’re up and running and ready to foster.

Fostering is extremely rewarding. It is a very flexible process. You will be called occasionally with foster opportunities, where you’ll be given information about the number and type of animals they needs fostered (i.e.- litter of 3 puppies, a shy adult dog that needs socialization, etc) and the length of time they need coverage. Based upon your availability you are free to say either yes or no, with no pressure in either direction. It is entirely at your discretion and flexible to work schedules, travel plans and other commitments, as you can always say no if the time frame doesn’t work. In addition, if you agree to foster an animal but have an emergency arise or a late change in plans, the SPCA will always set up another arrangement for the animal, whether in the shelter or at another foster home.

John and I foster primarily young puppies. These puppies are occasionally sick or being fostered in an attempt to keep them away from all of the germs in the SPCA and becoming sick, or sometimes they aren’t able to be put up for adoption yet because it is still within the claim period for their owner, or because they haven’t yet been neutered or spayed. Puppies can be a challenge, as they aren’t trained in any way and can sometimes be a mess, but they are truly enjoyable nonetheless. There are also many older dogs that need fostering prior to becoming available for adoption, or because they need socialization or treatment. A crate, food, toys, and any medications are all provided for the animals, so the only cost to the foster parent is in time, patience, and a little extra love!

John and I fostered about 15 dogs in 2009- here is just a quick look at a few of them! Please contact me if you have any questions about fostering or if you think you might like to get started!