What foster volunteers do:
The Fairfax County Animal Shelter relies on our foster program volunteers to provide extra care to shelter pets - in their own homes! Each year, foster families give hundreds of shelter pets the extra attention and time in a home that they need to recover from illness or injury, have a break from the shelter, or time to reach two months of age to be ready for adoption.
Examples of pets who need foster:
- Weaned kittens and puppies who aren't quite old enough to be available for adoption.
- Pregnant or nursing moms of all species, with their litters.
- Neonatal kittens, who need around-the-clock care.
- Pets recovering from illness or injury.
- Adult dogs and cats who just need a break from the shelter!
- We especially need fosters who have no other pets, and those who can take large dogs.
General requirements to become a foster volunteer:
- Be able to receive and respond to communications, including emails, texts, and phone calls.
- Be able to transport your foster pets to/from the shelter locations for scheduled vaccinations and other medical items.
- Have a safe and separate area in your home for foster pets.
- Commit to treat all animals and people with respect and kindness!
Interested in becoming a foster?
- Check both calendars below to see New Foster Information Session dates!
- We'll have sessions hosted at both the Lorton Campus and the Michael R. Frey Campus - be sure to check the location before registering!
- The information covered will be the same regardless of host campus, and once onboarded foster families will be able to utilize either campus.