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Foster Program
Fostering a pet is an extremely rewarding and fun experience for everyone. If you are looking to make a difference, but can’t make the commitment to adopt, fostering may be the answer.
The Loudoun County Animal Services (LCAS) foster program focuses on providing temporary housing for shelter animals in need! Foster volunteers open their homes and hearts to animals who require extra attention and care, including those who are too young for adoption, require socialization and/or need medical care.
How Do I Become a Foster?
Our fosters help us save lives every day! Foster orientations are held throughout the year. Foster orientations are open to anyone interested in fostering animals however our highest needs are fosters for adult dogs (40lbs+), kittens with and without moms, fearful adult cats, pregnant small animals and pregnant cats.
Foster orientation is held at the shelter (42225 Adoption Drive, Leesburg, VA 20175).
Upcoming Foster Orientations:
- Cats & Kittens | Saturday, August 12, 2023 | 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Dog Fosters
We are always looking for dog fosters! The majority of our dogs in need of foster are 40+lbs and would prefer to be the only pet in the home. We do on occasion need fosters for medical care dogs, senior or smaller dogs and/or puppies. Please fill out the interest form below to be added to our foster list.
Yes! Becoming a foster care provider is a big decision, but a very rewarding one. From full-time students to working parents to pet owners and more, everyone can be a foster! As you look at your lifestyle and home, ask yourself some of the following questions to help determine what type of fostering might be a good fit:
- What does my schedule look like? While in your home, foster animals become a part of your daily routine. You will spend time feeding, cleaning and socializing. You will also need to be able to make trips to and from the shelter and/or the shelter's contracted veterinarian's office. If an emergency should occur, you must be able to promptly transport the animal to a designated veterinarian for treatment.
- Am I able to separate foster animals from my own animals? For the health of all animals, it is best to keep your pets separate from shelter pets. Think about where in your home you might house your foster pet!
- Do I love talking about animals? Some animals might be able to get adopted right from foster! Consider if you are comfortable talking with people or having virtual "meet-and-greets" with potential adopters to help get your fosters find homes. Staff will help guide you through every step in the adoption process.
- Am I interested in something specific? From bottle babies to shy, adult cats, from puppies and mom to energetic, young dogs. There are lots of different types of animals that need foster homes! Consider the above questions, along with your own interests and knowledge and then click on the next tab to see what types of animals we need foster homes for!
The staff of LCAS assesses the needs of shelter animals and determines who would benefit from time in a foster home.
Cats & Kittens
Care for pregnant cats, nursing feline mothers and their babies, young kittens who need to be bottle-fed (additional training required), and weaned kittens less than eight weeks old who are not yet ready for adoption. The program also helps cats and kittens needing to go into foster homes for medical reasons or socialization. The shelter receives many kittens during "kitten season" May to October.
Dogs
LCAS primarily needs fosters for adult, 40lb+ dogs with behavior needs. Occasionally fosters are needed nursing mothers with puppies or puppies without a mother that are too young to adopt. The LCAS Training and Behavior Specialist works with the foster care program to assist canines in need.
Small Animals
Such as rabbits and guinea pigs, benefit from time in a foster home where they are provided with one-on-one care and socialization to prepare them for adoption.
How Do I Become a Foster?
Our fosters help us save lives every day! Foster orientations are held throughout the year. Foster orientations are open to anyone interested in fostering animals however our highest needs are fosters for adult dogs (40lbs+), kittens with and without moms, fearful adult cats, pregnant small animals and pregnant cats.
Foster orientation is held at the shelter (42225 Adoption Drive, Leesburg, VA 20175).
Upcoming Foster Orientations:
Fall 2023 sessions TBD
Contact
Thank you for your interest in our foster program! If you have any questions, please email us.