Fostering with shaid!

Become a Foster – Open Your Home, Save a Life!

Fostering is a deeply rewarding way to help animals in need by providing them with a temporary home until they are ready for adoption. The commitment can range from two weeks to over two months, depending on the animal's needs.

As a foster, you'll stay in regular contact with SHAID, providing weekly updates, asking questions, and notifying us of any concerns. Foster pets may need to return to the shelter for check-ups, treatments, or vaccines, and will be brought back to SHAID once they’re ready for their forever homes.

While saying goodbye can be tough, fostering opens the door to help even more animals—and each goodbye makes room for a new beginning

Before You Apply to Foster

Please review the following requirements and expectations to ensure fostering is the right fit for you:

You must be 21 years of age or older
Any personal pets must be up to date on vaccinations
A spare room (even a bathroom) is needed to isolate foster cats from other animals
If you rent your home, landlord contact information and written permission is required.
You must have reliable transportation for pick-ups, drop-offs, or vet visits

Fostering Neonatal Kittens – Intensive Care, Incredible Impact

From time to time, SHAID takes in orphaned or abandoned kittens, some just days old and without a mother to care for them. These tiny, vulnerable babies rely entirely on human help to survive and thrive.
Fosters for neonatal kittens take on a vital role, providing round-the-clock care that includes:
Syringe or bottle feeding every 2–3 hours
Weighing kittens daily to monitor growth and health
Keeping them warm, clean, and safe in a quiet, secure space
Because neonatal kittens require such frequent care, this foster role is best suited for individuals who work from home, have flexible schedules, or can safely bring the kittens to work.

Fostering a Pregnant Cat (Queen) and Her Kittens

When a pregnant cat (also known as a Queen) arrives at SHAID, we rely on dedicated foster homes to provide a safe, quiet, and comfortable space where she can give birth and care for her kittens. A separate room away from other pets is essential to ensure a stress-free environment.

Foster volunteers play a key role by:

Monitoring the Queen closely for signs that labor is beginning.
Allowing the mother to care for her kittens naturally, stepping in only if there are signs she's rejecting or struggling with her babies.
Overseeing the growth and development of the kittens, ensuring they are nursing well, staying warm, and being groomed by mom.

Time Commitment:

Fostering a Queen and her kittens typically lasts 2–3 months, depending on when the kittens are born and how they develop.

Foster Responsibilities:

Keep in regular contact with the shelter with updates, questions, or any concerns.
Bring the mother and kittens to SHAID for scheduled vaccinations, check-ups, and eventually adoption appointments once the kittens are at least 8 weeks old.

What SHAID Provides:

We’ll supply everything you need, including:

Food for mom and kittens
Towels, blankets, and nesting materials
Emergency formula and feeding supplies (syringes, bottles, etc.)
Resources, tips, and full support from our team

Fostering a Queen and her kittens is an incredibly rewarding experience. You'll help a family start life in safety and love—giving them the best chance at a healthy future.

FOSTERING A PUPPY/DOG

SHAID provides supplies: food, a crate, bedding, leash, toys, and any medications needed.
You'll bring the dog home and give them time to settle in—a quiet, calm environment helps.
Feed, walk, and play with your foster.
Provide basic training and socialization (sit, leash manners, crate training, etc).
For puppies: manage house training, safe play, and lots of naps!
Some fosters may need checkups, vaccines, or treatments. (the foster provides transportation)
The shelter covers all medical costs and will schedule appointments.
You may need to give medications or monitor health (we’ll guide you if needed).
Share updates and photos—these help get them adopted faster!
Provide insight into their personality—what they like, how they behave at home, etc.

At this time we do not have a specific application for fostering a dog so please use the one below and email any questions to info@shaidanimalshelter.com

Fostering isn’t forever—but the impact is!
Whether you foster once or many times, you’re giving a homeless dog or cat a second chance.

FOSTER APPLICATION

Please note: SHAID will only contact you when we have someone in need of a foster home!