Become a foster parent
Program Sponsored By
Foster parents are an invaluable part of LHS’s life-saving team. Through our foster care program, thousands of animals get a second chance at life each year.
Why Foster?
Fostering saves lives – plain and simple. Some animals need a quiet place to recover from surgery, some need help learning that humans can be trusted, and some are just too young for adoption. No matter the reason, every foster home means another life saved.
Dogs in need of foster
Some dogs need a break from the shelter—a chance to decompress and show their true personalities. Fostering gives them the comfort and stability they deserve while they wait for the right family.
Cats in need of foster
Fostering a cat gives them the gift of peace and quiet away from the stress of the shelter. It’s a simple way to help them relax, recharge, and shine for potential adopters.
Small animals in need of foster
Even small animals need a little vacation from shelter life. By fostering a little critter, you give them a calm, cozy space to wait for their new home.
Meet Khloe
Faces of foster care
Between classes, studying, and campus life, Khloe didn’t think she had time to foster—until she realized fostering is flexible! You get to set the schedule — whether it’s a weekend, a couple of weeks, or a couple of months, your time helps give animals the second chance they deserve. Now, she’s making a difference in the lives of animals while balancing her college schedule.
For Khloe, fostering means more than just helping pets—it’s a reminder that even small acts of kindness can change a life.
“Something about meeting a dog where they are, showing them kindness and valuable skills, and then watching them blossom is just priceless. For me, fostering isn’t just about giving a dog a place to stay— but preparing them to succeed at life outside of the shelter and finding that loving home.”
Faces of Foster Care is an annual campaign to promote awareness and participation in the LHS Foster Care Program. If you would like to be featured as one of the Faces of Foster Care, or you’d like to share a story about your foster experience, please email [email protected]
Meet The Faces of Foster Care
Real people. Real Homes. Real proof that fostering is for everyone.
A lot of people think fostering isn’t for them. Maybe they work full time, have other pets, live in a small space, or think they can’t manage the costs involved (there are none for the foster parent!). The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all foster. LHS foster parents are college students, retirees, families with young children, established professionals, and everyone in between. If you have a safe space, a little time, and a lot of love, you can foster.
Kera Ackerman
Professor, Ph.D., & Foster Parent
“Fostering is one way our family gives back to our community. Each dog’s unique needs make every experience rewarding. LHS makes it easy to foster by providing the dogs and puppies with everything they need- we just provide the space and love. The puppy antics and kisses make it so rewarding! Fostering has also taught our girls the joy of making a difference. Now that they are young adults, they have chosen to continue fostering.”
Ava Crow
College Student & Foster Parent
“Becoming a foster parent for LHS has been a life-changing commitment for me. I have learned new levels of patience, empathy, and understanding that I wouldn’t have been able to experience anywhere else. The joy you receive from watching a frightened dog or cat learn to trust and love is an encounter I never thought would move me so greatly, but coming home and being tackled and kissed by a Great Dane, or having kittens run to you for comfort when something scary happens will forever keep my heart and home open to the misunderstood animals that end up in shelters.”
Andrea Whittle
Equine Vet Tech & Foster Parent
“I’ve been fostering kittens and cats through LHS for about four years now…..from a three-day-old orphan to several spicy 10-week-olds to a sweet four-month-old needing frequent eye medications! I believe the total number of kittens I have had the pleasure of fostering is around 40. Each and every one of them has brought me such joy, especially when I get the email notice that they have been adopted out! The LHS foster team and other local foster parents are such an amazing support group; I never feel I’m raising the kittens alone! Being able to help our local cat population through fostering is so rewarding; I highly recommend it!”
become a foster parent
The process is easy!
2
Get Training
Once approved, our team will send you an orientation video and other resources to prepare you for success.
3
foster
Once you see an animal you are interested in fostering, let the team know and they’ll schedule a pick-up!
See the program in action!
Follow foster parents on their adventures with the LHS animals.
Can't foster but still want to give?
Check out our Amazon and Chewy wish lists for our most needed items.
fAQ
Answers to the most commonly asked questions. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Email the team at [email protected].
- Kittens and puppies under the age of 8 weeks
- Moms with nursing litters
- Surgery-recovery animals
- Extra TLC animals (on medication, in need of love and socialization)
- Long-term residents who could use a break from shelter life
- Love and kindness—the most important things our animals need are free!
- A safe and secure environment and a willingness to address the animal’s individual needs
- Trips back to the shelter to bring your foster in for vaccinations and check-ups as needed
- Insight into the animal’s personality to help us at time of adoption
- All medical care
- A starter kit with food and toys
- Carrier for kittens/puppies
- Collar with ID tags for animals over 3 months of age (and leash if requested)
- Crate if requested
- Support and advice
Every animal is unique and the time in your care will vary. Some may only need a week or two, while others may need a few months. The estimated timeframe for each foster animal will be explained ahead of time.
Absolutely! We do recommend foster animals be kept isolated from personal pets to reduces the spread of common shelter illnesses.
While we provide all medications for foster animals, we do not provide any medical care for your personal pets. It is important to have your animals fully vaccinated before bringing home a foster animal.
We notify everyone listed in the foster care network via email when animals are ready to go into foster homes. You can also use the search filter on the adoptable animal pages to see who would like a break from shelter life.
- Click here to complete the foster care application online.
- After receiving the application, our team will contact you via email and explain the program in greater detail.
As a foster parent, you are an invaluable part of the Lexington Humane Society’s (LHS) life-saving team. You make an impact on community animal welfare by directly shaping the future of your foster animals and by helping LHS care for and find homes for thousands of animals.
Each year, thousands of special-case animals are helped through our foster care program… and with your participation, we can help even more!
