Becoming a Animal Foster Parent

Our Foster Program provides temporary, safe, and loving homes to cats and dogs until they can return to our Adoption Centre and be adopted by their new family. This program offers a second chance to many animals that would not thrive in a shelter environment.

Animals might enter the Foster Program because they are not ready to be put up for adoption, they are too young, too sick or are injured. Fostering can last for as little as a few days or as long as required, depending on the animal's particular needs and what your household is able to offer.

Take a look below at all the options available for both cats and dogs, short-term and long-term foster opportunities. If one of these opportunities matches your lifestyle and you are interested in becoming a Foster Parent, contact us or call 905.458.5800 for more information.

Apply here to become a foster

Fostering Cats

Have you ever bottle-fed a kitten? Do you have a passion for saving lives and providing TLC to those who need it most? We're on the lookout for dedicated fosters to care for neonatal kittens from 0-6 weeks old until they are ready to transition to our Paws on the Move foster homes.

When neonatal kittens are without a Mama, they require specialized, round-the-clock care. With your skills and dedication, you can make a life-saving difference.

What We're Looking For:

Prior experience bottle feeding is highly valued but not required as it ensures the kittens receive the proper nutrition during their most critical developmental stages.
Availability for Round-the-Clock Care: Neonatal kittens need feeding every few hours, so your availability and commitment are crucial.
A Loving and Nurturing Environment: Your home will be a safe haven where these kittens can grow and thrive.

By joining our foster team, you provide these kittens with the chance to grow strong and healthy, preparing them for their forever homes. Your involvement in their early lives sets the foundation for them to become well-adjusted and loving pets.

Are you ready to welcome some furry fun into your life? Our Paws on the Move Foster Program is seeking energetic and loving foster homes for kittens aged 6+ weeks. These playful little ones are looking for a temporary home where they can explore, play and receive the socialization they need before finding their forever families.

What You Can Expect:

Active and Playful Companions: These kittens are full of energy and curiosity, ready to explore their surroundings.
Socialization Opportunities: Help shape their little personalities by providing love and interaction.
A Stimulating Environment: Create a safe and engaging space for them to thrive and learn.

Who doesn't love kittens? These delightful little furballs bring joy and laughter into any home with their playful antics and heartwarming cuddles. By fostering kittens, you get to enjoy their charming company all season long while contributing to their growth and well-being.

Are you passionate about providing a nurturing and stress-free environment for a mama cat and her kittens? Our foster program is designed to offer a safe haven for pregnant cats or those that have recently given birth, ensuring they have the support they need to raise their kittens in a loving home.

Why Foster a Mama Cat and Her Kittens?

Fostering a mama cat and her kittens is a rewarding experience that helps ensure the well-being of the entire feline family. By providing a temporary home, you play a vital role in:

Creating a Peaceful Environment: A quiet and secure space allows the mama cat to care for her kittens without the stress of a shelter environment.
Supporting Healthy Development: Your home offers a safe place for kittens to grow and explore under the watchful eye of their Mama, which is critical for their early development.
Preparing for Adoption: By socializing the kittens and ensuring they are healthy and happy, you set them up for a successful transition to their forever homes.

The length of your foster commitment can vary based on the Mama's due date and the kittens' development. Typically, fosters care for the mama cat and her kittens until they are ready to be adopted. This allows the kittens to mature and socialize in a supportive environment, increasing their chances of finding loving families.

To make the fostering experience as smooth as possible, we supply all necessary items for the different stages of the mama cat's and kittens' journey.

If you're ready to open your heart and home to a mama cat and her kittens, we would love to hear from you. Your care and compassion can make a significant difference in their lives, ensuring they receive the love and support they need to thrive.

Feral kittens, or "Spittens", are kittens that have not had much exposure to humans and can be fearful or shy. This fostering role is all about socializing these kittens, so they become comfortable around humans. You will need to be patient and use positive reinforcement to help them trust you.

Level of Involvement: Moderate. This role focuses on socializing kittens, rather than providing 24/7 care. Socializing feral kittens requires patience and gentle handling.
Commitment: 2-6 weeks, with the possibility of extension depending on the kittens' progress.
Responsibilities:

Socialize the kittens, using food and positive reinforcement to encourage them to trust you.
Provide a calm, quiet environment where they can feel safe.
Monitor their progress and give them time to adjust to human interaction.

Best For: Foster parents who are patient and willing to help socializing more fearful kittens. Not recommended for families with young children due to the potential for scratch or bite risks during the socialization process.

Fostering Dogs

This program allows you to take a shelter dog out for a short break during the day. Even a few hours outside the shelter can significantly reduce stress and help us learn more about the dog’s personality.

Required Orientation: Dog for a Day PowerPoint (~10 minutes)
Level of Involvement: Low
Commitment: Up to 6 hours (typically between (10 AM – 4 PM)

Responsibilities include:

Taking the dog out for a walk, hike, car ride, or relaxing time at home
Providing enrichment and a break from the shelter
Sharing photos or observations about the dog

Best for new fosters or anyone wanting to help without an overnight commitment.

Slumber Parties allow shelter dogs to spend a few nights in a calm home environment. This helps them decompress and allows us to gather valuable information about their behavior outside the shelter.

Required Orientation: Dog for a Day PowerPoint (~10 minutes)
Level of Involvement: Low
Commitment: Up to 6 hours (typically between 10 AM – 4 PM)

Responsibilities include:

Providing a quiet, comfortable home environment
Monitoring behavior and comfort levels
Sharing updates and observations with the shelter

Best for fosters who can help overnight but cannot commit long-term.

Puppies at this stage are becoming more independent but still require routine, structure, and socialization before adoption.

Required Orientation: Puppies Over 6 Weeks PowerPoint (~20 minutes)
Level of Involvement: Moderate
Commitment: Typically 2–4 weeks

Responsibilities include:

Feeding scheduled meals
Continuing potty training
Providing daily socialization and play
Monitoring health and development

Best for fosters who want to help raise puppies but prefer a less intensive role than neonatal care.

Neonatal puppies require the highest level of care. These puppies may be orphaned and require bottle feeding and frequent monitoring.

Required Orientation: Neonatal Puppy PowerPoint + videos (~1 hour)
Level of Involvement: High
Commitment: Typically, 2–6 weeks depending on age

Responsibilities include:

Bottle feeding every few hours
Monitoring weight and development
Providing warmth and hygiene care
Supporting early growth and development

Best for experienced fosters or those able to provide frequent care.

Medical fosters help dogs recover from illness or surgery in a calm home environment rather than a shelter kennel.

Examples may include:

Dogs recovering from surgery
Dogs on cage rest
Parvo puppies
Senior dogs receiving comfort care

Required Orientation: Medical Foster PowerPoint (~10 minutes)
Level of Involvement: Moderate
Commitment: Varies depending on the dog’s recovery

Responsibilities include:

Administering medications
Monitoring healing and recovery
Attending scheduled follow-up appointments
Providing a quiet recovery environment

Best for fosters comfortable following medical instructions and monitoring recovery.

Are you passionate about providing a nurturing and stress-free environment for a mama dog and her puppies? Our foster program is designed to offer a safe haven for pregnant moms or those that have recently given birth, ensuring they have the support they need to raise their puppies in a loving home.

Why Foster a Mama and Her Pups?

Fostering a mama and her puppies is a rewarding experience that helps ensure the well-being of the entire family. By providing a temporary home, you play a vital role in:

Creating a Peaceful Environment: A quiet and secure space allows the mama dog to care for her puppies without the stress of a shelter environment.
Supporting Healthy Development: Your home offers a safe place for puppies to grow and explore under the watchful eye of their Mama, which is critical for their early development.
Preparing for Adoption: By socializing the puppies and ensuring they are healthy and happy, you set them up for a successful transition to their forever homes.

The length of your foster commitment can vary based on the Mama's due date and the puppies' development. Typically, fosters care for the mama and her pups until they are ready to be adopted. This allows the pups to mature and socialize in a supportive environment, increasing their chances of finding loving families.

To make the fostering experience as smooth as possible, we supply all necessary items for the different stages of the journey.

By joining our community of fosters, you provide a life-changing opportunity for these dogs and their puppies. Your kindness can transform their lives—and it might just transform yours too.

Are you interested in becoming a lifeline for a dog in need? Look no further than our Extended Foster Program! This program offers a wonderful opportunity to house a dog for more than just a day or a short slumber party.

Our extended foster program is designed to support dogs that require special care, such as those on medications or recovering from surgeries. By fostering a dog, you provide a calm and nurturing environment that is significantly less stressful than a shelter. This is crucial for their healing and well-being.

Foster commitments typically range from 2 weeks to 3 months, depending on the dog's needs. Your home will be a safe haven where the dog can rest and recover until they are ready for adoption.

Benefits of Being a Foster Home:

Reduce Stress: Dogs thrive in a home environment where they can relax and feel secure.
Aid in Recovery: Provide the care and attention necessary for dogs on medication or post-surgery recovery.
Support Adoption: Help prepare dogs for their forever homes by giving them the love and socialization they need.

We supply all essential items, including food, food bowls, leashes, collars/harnesses, crates, and toys.

If you're ready to embark on this journey of compassion and companionship, reach out to us today. Together, let's give these wonderful dogs the second chance they deserve. Your kindness can change a life—and in doing so, it might just change yours too.