Free Foster Seminar: Fostering Puppies, Kittens, and Special Needs

This no-charge workshop is for persons interested (or just curious) about helping as a foster for HSPC. We will be addressing foster opportunities for orphaned kittens and puppies. nursing mamas and babies in your home on a short-term basis in your home, and special needs dogs & cats who may need extended stays. These programs are administered by the Humane Society of Pulaski County and always in need of more volunteers!

Fostering neonates is an amazing, rewarding opportunity to make a difference in a puppy or kitten’s life, but does requires a commitment of time. For example, newborn kittens and puppies require feeding every 3 hours (less often as they age). This is a GREAT opportunity for retired persons, work from home/stay at home moms and dads, homeschooling families, etc. We will provide training for interested volunteers in central Arkansas willing to dedicate their home, time, and hearts. Most of these fosters will be in your home for 4-7 weeks (they return to the shelter at 8 weeks of age)

For families that are looking for a commitment that doesn’t require 24×7 care, we often have moms & babies that need a place outside of the shelter to crash. Or perhaps special needs or senior animal fostering may be right for you. (Senior or special needs animals may be in your home for a significantly longer time).

About 1/3 of the animals we intake are diagnosed with heartworms. For these patients, we are looking for homes where the dogs can be kenneled or in a quiet place where they can rest while treatment is underway. These dogs just need to be leash walked for restroom breaks, and kept calm the other times. Fostering time is six weeks.

Finally, special needs and end-of-life fosters for senior animals are also needed. These can be extended stays, depending on the situation.

In this workshop, we will review what the HSPC foster program entails, discuss the responsibilities involved in saving these vulnerable ones, run through bottle feeding basics, and more. If you are a new person or family considering fostering, if you are an existing foster in need of a refresher or a place to ask questions, or if you are just curious if this is for you, this is a great opportunity.

(NOTE: The Humane Society of Pulaski County is a no-kill shelter that receives no city, state, or federal funds, nor are we associated with a national organization. Without volunteers and donors, we cannot work to rescue & make a better life for animals and their owners in Arkansas!)