Fostering Saves Lives

Why Foster?

Because it saves lives.

The Humane Society for Hamilton County is one of the only open-admission, truly no-kill shelters in the country. We are taking in both stray and owner surrendered animals every day–regardless of available space. 

We have been operating in a capacity crisis for over a year now, especially with dogs. We have dogs in our offices, visiting rooms, and even crates, because of the rising number of abandoned dogs in Central Indiana finding their ways here.

If you can’t ADOPT, please consider FOSTERING. Thousands of lives are depending on it.

There’s no cost to you as we are willing to give our fosters everything they need.
You just have to open your heart and your home.

Complete Foster Application

Urgent! Pets in Need of Foster

  • Ziggy (Bonded with Smalls)

    Ziggy and Smalls are a senior, bonded pair who need a foster home in order to give them the care and quiet they deserve as senior pets.

    Apply to Foster Ziggy & Smalls!
  • Smalls (Bonded with Ziggy)

    Ziggy and Smalls are a senior, bonded pair who need a foster home in order to give them the care and quiet they deserve as senior pets.

    Apply to Foster Smalls & Ziggy!
  • Royal

    Royal is terrified in a shelter environment and needs a foster who can help him relax and come out of his shell. Do you have a quiet home for Royal?

    Apply to Foster Royal!
  • Sandor

    From losing his tail to falling into depression, Sandor needs reprieve. Can you give him a vacation from the shelter stress?

    Apply To Foster Sandor!
  • Chibi

    Chibi is a scaredy cat who needs a quiet home where he can stay until he finds a loving family. Please help him!

    Apply To Foster Chibi!
  • Ellie Mae

    Ellie Mae is depressed at the shelter and needs an experienced cat foster to help her learn that people are good. Is that you?

    Apply To Foster Ellie Mae!
  • Estelle

    Estelle needs a quiet home to rest while she undergoes heartworm treatment. Couch potatoes encouraged!

    Apply To Foster Estelle!
  • Gilly

    Gilly has had a rough start to life. He needs a foster home so that we can see his personality flourish!

    Apply To Foster Gilly!
  • MoMo

    MoMo needs help with socialization in a foster home with no dogs or kids. Is your slow-paced lifestyle ready for this cutie?

    Apply To Foster MoMo!
  • Nala

    Nala is loving and playful, but also incredibly shy and anxious. She would LOVE a fosster home with other dogs to help her come out of her shell!

    Apply To Foster Nala!
  • Nioh

    Nioh has succumbed to the stress of the shelter since arriving in March. he urgently needs a foster home where he can find peace.

    Apply To Foster Nioh!
  • 01.

    How to Become a Foster

    Simply fill out an application and note your areas of interest.  Some fosters require more time, and experience, than others.  We will review your application and let you know when we have a match.  Feel free to contact us any time at fosters@hamiltonhumane.com for more information or questions on an animal we have posted in need of foster care.

    Complete Foster Application
  • 02.

    Animals in Need of Fostership

    We need foster homes for nursing mothers, animals under eight weeks of age, and those recovering from injury and illness.  And, we always need foster homes who can give those emotionally declining a respite from shelter life.

    Some of our more urgent foster needs include:

    • Felines suffering from upper respiratory infections
    • Motherless kittens who need to be bottle fed to survive
    • Pregnant animals
    • Cats and dogs with serious injuries
    • Heartworm positive dogs
    • Seniors who are depressed and stop eating in a shelter environment
    • Long-time shelter residents who are beginning to decline physically or mentally
    • Opening up space during high-capacity times
    • Dogs in need of rehabilitation for behavior challenges (seasoned fosters only.)

    Complete Foster Application
  • 03.

    We've Got it Covered

    HSHC will pay for all associated foster care expenses if that’s what it takes to get an animal into a healthier environment. This includes everything from medical care to general supplies like food, litter, toys and crate.

    Now don’t get us wrong, we certainly appreciate our fosters who are willing to cover the basics like food, litter, and grooming.  Some of our fosters go all out and even help us cover medical care.  That extra support means we can help more animals get into foster homes.

    And if you do help with foster care expenses, it’s considered a tax-deductible contribution!

    Complete Foster Application
  • 04.

    When Resistance is Futile

    Sure, you set out to be a temporary foster … but then you fell in love. It happens. We call it a foster failure when fosters decide they cannot part with their foster animal. And for those who foster nursing litters, you will always get first dibs on the puppy or kitten of your choice. You know, just in case resistance is futile 🙂

Foster Testimonial

About Lisa's Experience

“Some dogs don’t adapt well to the shelter environment. They become anxious, depressed, withdrawn, and some completely shut down and stop eating. Fostering these dogs is life-saving. Once they are in a loving home environment,  you can see their fears subside over time and their personality starts to bloom.”

  • Sometimes through fostering you fall deeply in love and realize an animal’s forever home is actually yours.

    Lisa Wiley Rodriquez

  • We have loved fostering with the HSHC as it allows us to get our “fix” of extra fur while also feeling useful and helpful to an animal in need.

    Christy Baugh

  • I like fostering because it’s my personal way of giving back to the animals who haven’t had the opportunity to find their forever homes.  I like working with HSHC because they are flexible with my schedule and make the responsibility of fostering very simple.

    Alex Patten

  • Extra love is sometimes all it takes to make a big difference to the health of an animal both mentally and physically.

    Christy Baugh

Love & Let Live

Every animal deserves a second chance at love — and life. We invite you to be part of the solution and give back to the animals who give us so much.

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