Fostering Saves Lives
The Humane Society for Hamilton County is one of the only open-admission, truly no-kill shelters in the country. We are taking in both stray and owner surrendered animals every day–regardless of available space.
We have been operating in a capacity crisis for over a year now, especially with dogs. We have dogs in our offices, visiting rooms, and even crates, because of the rising number of abandoned dogs in Central Indiana finding their ways here.
If you can’t ADOPT, please consider FOSTERING. Thousands of lives are depending on it.
There’s no cost to you as we are willing to give our fosters everything they need.
You just have to open your heart and your home.
URGENT! Pets in Need of Foster
Dillon
Dillon is starting to decline in the shelter. He needs a place where he can be the loyal and fun loving guy he is.
Tala
Tala is a huge fan of walks—her happy place is out and about, exploring the world, and would love to do so by the side of a willing foster parent.
Misty
Whether she’s leaning in for pets or gazing at you with those soulful eyes, she’s sure to steal your heart.
How to Become a Foster
Simply fill out an application and note your areas of interest. Some fosters require more time, and experience, than others. We will review your application and let you know when we have a match. Feel free to contact us any time at fosters@hamiltonhumane.com for more information or questions on an animal we have posted in need of foster care.
Animals in Need of Fostership
We need foster homes for nursing mothers, animals under eight weeks of age, and those recovering from injury and illness. And, we always need foster homes who can give those emotionally declining a respite from shelter life.
Some of our more urgent foster needs include:
- Felines suffering from upper respiratory infections
- Motherless kittens who need to be bottle fed to survive
- Pregnant animals
- Cats and dogs with serious injuries
- Heartworm positive dogs
- Seniors who are depressed and stop eating in a shelter environment
- Long-time shelter residents who are beginning to decline physically or mentally
- Opening up space during high-capacity times
- Dogs in need of rehabilitation for behavior challenges (seasoned fosters only.)
HSHC Covers Costs
HSHC will pay for all associated foster care expenses if that’s what it takes to get an animal into a healthier environment. This includes everything from medical care to general supplies like food, litter, toys and crate.
Now don’t get us wrong, we certainly appreciate our fosters who are willing to cover the basics like food, litter, and grooming. Some of our fosters go all out and even help us cover medical care. That extra support means we can help more animals get into foster homes.
And if you do help with foster care expenses, it’s considered a tax-deductible contribution!
Foster to Adopt
When Resistance is Futile
Sure, you set out to be a temporary foster … but then you fell in love. It happens. We call it a foster failure when fosters decide they cannot part with their foster animal. And for those who foster nursing litters, you will always get first dibs on the puppy or kitten of your choice. You know, just in case resistance is futile 
Foster-to-Adopt for Medical Needs
Sometimes, a pet has already found their forever home, but a medical procedure is standing in the way of a finalized adoption. That’s where this special Foster-to-Adopt option comes in.
If you’re ready to commit to adopting a pet, but they need a medical procedure first, we’ll take care of the treatment while your new companion begins settling into their forever home with you.
Once the procedure is complete and recovery is underway, you can finalize the adoption and officially welcome them into your family.
