Foster Care Volunteer Program

Foster placements with the BC SPCA vary in length. Some are for just one night or a weekend, others are longer like a few weeks or even several months.

When the BC SPCA shares information about an available foster animal, we always provide an estimate on how long their placement might last.

The time depends on the animal’s needs. Most animals need at least one to two hours of care and attention each day, given multiple times throughout the day.

This might include feeding and changing water supplies three or four times each day, petting the animal while you watch TV, cleaning up after the animal poops, and playing with the animal to give them exercise. As the primary foster, you can involve other members of your household in animal care and even encourage them to review training information with you.

Some animals, like bottle-fed babies or those recovering from sickness, may need care every two to three hours, even at night. Spending this time helps the foster animals feel safe and comfortable.

Another thing to consider around your time is your responsibility for taking foster animals to and from their appointments. These appointments are usually scheduled on weekdays between 8am and 5pm. They can be frequent, sometimes once or twice each week, and may be scheduled on short notice.

Your observations while caring for the foster animal help them get adopted and thrive. If you’re unsure about the time needed for a specific foster animal, the BC SPCA team is here to help!

The BC SPCA provides all necessary supplies. Food, and supplies like toys, litter, pet-friendly cleaning supplies, vet care, and training, to make fostering easy and enjoyable for you and your foster pet.

Fosters cover costs for transporting animals to and from appointments, including fuel, vehicle maintenance or taxi/ rideshare fees. These appointments are usually scheduled on weekdays between 8am and 5pm. They can be frequent, sometimes once or twice each week.

Fosters may need to do more laundry than usual or choose to use materials like paper towel for cleaning. These costs should also be considered when thinking about fostering.

The BC SPCA reimburses fosters for pre-approved expenses like greens for small animals. Please keep your receipts and make sure you have expense approval before making new purchases.

We want fostering to be a positive experience for both you and the animals.

When we don’t have much history on an animal, it can be hard to know if a placement will work until they are in your home. If the animal isn’t a good fit, that’s okay!

Let your foster support contact know, and we’ll arrange alternative care for the animal. We’ll also use what we’ve learned to find them another foster home and match you with an animal that’s a better fit for you and your home.

If you need to take a break, reach out to your foster support contact. The BC SPCA will arrange alternate care for the foster animal. Life happens and we are here to support you.