FOSTER PROGRAM
Foster families provide temporary homes and care to shelter animals, offering a loving, enriching, and calm environment where they can grow and thrive while awaiting adoption. By fostering, you not only provide your foster animals with essential care and support, but you’ll allow NAHS to serve even more animals by opening up space in our facility.
Our fosters play a crucial role in our Life Saving Programs and mission of improving the lives of animals and promoting their humane treatment.
Intrigued? Read below to discover more about fostering animals in need!
"Fostering through NAHS is not just about giving animals a home—it's about making a lasting impact on our community, helping those in need, and knowing you're supported every step of the way. With Nicole’s guidance and the help of dedicated trainers, it’s a rewarding journey where every act of care makes a difference."
- Jaime S.
COMPLETE THE FOSTER APPLICATION:
HOW TO BECOME A FOSTER:
FOSTER ELIGIBILITY:
-
Complete the Foster Application on our website
-
Our Foster Coordinator will follow up on your application via email
-
Our Foster Coordinator will communicate any additional steps, provide you with animal care information, and suggest available foster animals, thus ensuring that you will have what you need for a successful fostering experience
-
Come to NAHS and pick up your foster animals(s) & supplies!
-
Must be at least 18 years of age
-
Have reliable transportation
-
Have pet friendly housing
FOSTER FAQ:
Please read through our FAQ to learn more about fostering animals from our shelter! If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact us directly at foster@naperhumane.org or call the shelter’s foster line at 630-420-8989 x 1008.
WHAT KIND OF ANIMALS CAN I FOSTER?
Our fosters can foster adult dogs, pregnant dogs, pregnant cats, moms with litters, orphaned puppies and kittens, and animals requiring special medical or behavioral support.
HOW LONG WILL I HAVE MY FOSTER ANIMAL(S)?
It varies and depends on the animal's needs. The foster period can be as short as a few days or as long as a few months. To accommodate vacations and other plans that might take you away from home for a period of time, long-term care animals might reside in several foster homes until their time in foster care is complete. The Naperville Area Humane Society's team works with you to coordinate a schedule around your needs.
HOW LONG WILL I HAVE MY FOSTER ANIMAL(S)?
When you pick up your foster animals at the Naperville Area Humane Society, we aim to provide you with all needed supplies (food, toys, medications, etc). We do not require our fosters to purchase any supplies; however, if you would like to purchase additional supplies, it would be greatly appreciated! Any expenses fosters incur toward the care of Naperville Area Humane Society foster animals can be declared as a tax-deductible donation.
Any medical care or visits to the veterinary hospital are paid for directly by the Naperville Area Humane Society. Foster parent volunteers must, however, use Naperville Area Humane Society partner hospitals.
I HAVE MY OWN PETS. MAY I STILL FOSTER?
Yes, yes, yes! Many of our foster parents have their own pets, but you will need to provide proof that your own pets are up to date on core vaccines and spayed/neutered. It is best, though, to keep your foster animals separate from your own animals. If you would like to introduce your foster animals to your own pets, we ask that you speak with a Naperville Area Humane Society staff member first.
WHAT IF IT IS NOT WORKING OUT?
We want to ensure our animals and our foster parent volunteers are happy. If an animal is not working out for you, we will work with you to overcome the problem, or we will search for another foster home where the animal might be a better fit.
CONTACT US ABOUT FOSTERING:
We had a very special young man, Isaac, stop by our shelter! Isaac's family adopted Daisy (now Penny) from us in 2024, and have recently started fostering dogs with us! 🩵
Isaac wrote a phenomenal book about Penny and their previous fosters, Norbert and Tyler. Fostering is so important! Not only does fostering provide a temporary home for animals in need, but it also opens up space in shelters to take in more animals, and ultimately save more lives.
Thank you, Isaac, for showing everyone the benefits of fostering, being an NAHS ambassador, and sharing your stories with us!