Foster Care Program

The Homeward Bound foster care program lets us temporarily place animals with volunteers while the animals are waiting to be adopted. Foster families provide the loving attention required until we can place these animals into permanent homes. Volunteers take in dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens.

To become a volunteer, you must first:

• Fill out a specialized foster care application and have it approved by Homeward Bound

• Have landlord approval if necessary

• Allow Homeward Bound staff to visit your home once a year

• Have adequate space and time to care for foster animals

• Be willing to spend a large amount of time and energy with animals that will be returned to the shelter for adoption

• Be willing to bring the fostered animal to the shelter to visit with potential adopters (by appointment)

• Pay a $25 Illinois Department of Agriculture foster home licensing fee through Homeward Bound upon approval
  

Basic responsibilities of foster care volunteers

• Provide food, water, socialization, training, and exercise, as well as administer medication, for foster animals

• Provide a secure home for the animals

• Ensure that all household animals are healthy and current on vaccines

• Observe foster animals and report any problems or questions to Homeward Bound

• Understand that veterinary care cannot be sought without approval from Homeward Bound

• Return all animals to Homeward Bound as scheduled or requested

• Make a commitment to the foster care program and the animals it helps