Open your heart House How to become a foster

Not ready to adopt but still want to help? Fostering is a powerful way to make a difference. When you foster a dog, cat, or even a litter of kittens, you’re giving them a safe, loving place to grow and heal until they’re ready for adoption. Our team provides the supplies, support, and vet care, you provide the TLC.

We now have a Foster Program!

HSCI is excited to announce the launch of our brand-new Foster Program! This program expands our ability to care for animals by placing them in loving temporary homes until they are ready for adoption.

Who can you foster?

  • Moms with babies
  • Bottle-fed kittens
  • Older dogs
  • Long-term shelter dogs needing a little extra TLC

Fostering helps us provide individualized care in a home environment, reduces shelter stress, and opens up space for more animals in need.

If you’re interested in making a direct impact on an animal’s life, consider becoming a foster!

Complete a foster application right here, or stop by our shelter to fill out a form in person. Please allow 24 hours for processing, as the approval process is similar to adopting.

Let’s get this party started and help even more fur babies find their forever homes this year!

Young boy with curly brown hair and a soft purple-blue (#7a76d1) t-shirt playing on the floor with a tabby kitten. The boy is smiling and holding a string toy as the kitten reaches out to catch it.<br />
Smiling woman holding a mixed-breed foster dog in her arms. The dog looks calm and relaxed while the woman looks down at it with a warm expression. A comforting image used to show the bond between foster pets and caregivers.

Applications

You can submit your application online or print, complete, and bring a paper application to the Pet Adoption Center.  Foster applications are also available at the Pet Adoption Center.

Complete a foster application!

Apply to foster a pet

To be considered for fostering, you must:

  • Be at least 21 years of age.
  • Have the knowledge and consent of all adults living in your household.
  • Have a valid ID with your current address.
  • All currently owned cats and dogs must be spayed/neutered.
  • All current pets must be up-to-date on required vaccinations (i.e. rabies vaccination).
  • Be in compliance with local animal ordinances in regards to number of pets within a household

Understand that completing this application does not guarantee you can foster, and that the Humane Society of Central Illinois must approve your application.

Failure to provide all requested information on the form will cause delays in processing your application.