Foster Care Volunteer Program

Yes, if all your own pets are spayed/ neutered (if applicable), have up-to-date vaccinations and parasite control prevention. These measures help prevent illness and accidental litters.

If your own pets get sick from your foster animals, the BC SPCA will not cover their medication costs or vet visits.

From time to time, foster animals need to be separated from your own pets. The BC SPCA would provide guidance on how to do so when this happens.

Finally, you should consider the stress resident pets may feel from sharing space with foster animals. Even if they cannot see one another, they might get stress from smelling or hearing one another. Our team can assist with facilitating gradual introductions to reduce the stress on both foster animals and resident pets.

Yes, but you will need permission from your landlord. Check out the BC SPCA’s renter’s guide for resources that might help you.

Fostering is a great way to help animals, but it’s important for everyone in your household to know what to expect and how an animal in the home would affect them.

All animals, including foster animals, can be a little messy. They might spill food or water, chew on furniture or shoes, or have accidents if they are not house trained yet. The BC SPCA can help you avoid or minimize damage that comes with animal care but will not replace or reimburse for damaged items.

Many foster animals need a calm and quiet home. Loud noises or lots of visitors can make them feel scared or stressed. If your home is usually busy or noisy, the BC SPCA can help you decide if fostering is right for you or place you with the best animal for your home, such as young puppies and kittens who are being socialized and will thrive in that type of environment.

Fostering is a wonderful experience for the whole family. It teaches kindness, patience, and how to care for animals in need. The BC SPCA will give you all the help and support you need to make fostering a success!

Foster animals need a safe, clutter-free space in your home to sleep, play, and recover. This space should have enough room for essentials such as a pet bed, litter box (if needed), food and water dishes, and space to sleep and play. Ideally, this space has easy-to-clean floors, like tile or laminate to help prevent spreading disease between animals or to humans.

Make sure to remove dangerous items, such as cleaning supplies, medications, food or plants toxic to animals, and store them in a safe place. If you’re using a bathroom or spare room, be sure to remove breakables, close the toilet lid, tuck away cords, and check for other common hazards.

For a mom and her babies, or for an animal recovering from illness or injury, a dedicated “foster room” is required. This space should have natural light, a door that closes, and easy-to-clean floors to create a safe and supportive environment for the animal.

If you plan on fostering dogs, it is not necessary to have a fenced yard in all cases.