Foster
Open Your Home. Change a Life.
Become a foster parent for Mending Hearts Pet Rescue
Pets change our lives.
We're on a quest to change theirs
As a foster-based rescue, Mending Hearts Pet Rescue relies on volunteer homes to care for animals from the moment they enter the rescue until they are adopted. Every cat, kitten, dog, or other animal in our program lives in a home rather than a traditional shelter environment.
Foster families provide daily care, feeding, socialization, observation, and love. Mending Hearts coordinates approved veterinary care and provides supplies based on availability and the needs of each foster animal.
Why Foster? The Impact Is Real.
Foster families are the heartbeat of Mending Hearts Pet Rescue.
Available foster homes directly determine how many animals we can safely rescue. By fostering one animal or litter, you also create space and resources that allow another animal to receive help.
Some fosters eventually adopt their foster animals, affectionately known as a “foster fail.” Others help many animals move on to permanent homes.
Either way, fostering creates an impact that lasts far beyond an animal’s time in your home.
Is Fostering Right for You?
Fostering may be a good fit for individuals, couples, and families in many different living situations, including renters, homeowners, first-time fosters, and households with other pets.
Most successful foster families have:
A safe and caring home environment
Time for daily feeding, socialization, and monitoring
A willingness to communicate regularly with our team
The ability to follow care and veterinary instructions
Patience as an animal adjusts, heals, or develops
A heart for animals who need additional support
Previous rescue experience is not always required. Training and guidance are provided based on the needs of the foster animal.
We’ve Got You Covered
Mending Hearts Pet Rescue works to provide foster families with the resources they need, including:
Approved veterinary care coordinated by the rescue
Food, litter, formula, bedding, and basic supplies based on availability
Foster orientation and animal-specific guidance
Assistance with medical questions or emergencies
Support throughout the fostering period
Help promoting the animal for adoption
Coordination of meet-and-greets with approved adopters
For foster questions, email foster@mhpetrescue.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The length of a foster placement varies.
Some animals may be ready for adoption within a few weeks. Neonatal kittens, animals recovering from illness or injury, and medically complex animals may need care for several weeks or months.
We will share the anticipated timeline and needs before confirming a placement whenever possible.
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Many renters can foster animals, but you should review your lease and obtain any required approval from your landlord or property manager before accepting a foster placement.
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Often, yes.
We carefully consider the foster animal’s personality, health, and needs as well as the pets already in your home. Some foster animals may need to be kept separate temporarily for safety, medical, or behavioral reasons.
Our team will provide guidance about introductions and household setup.
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Foster families may apply to adopt their foster animal.
Let us know as soon as you believe adoption may be the right decision so we can discuss the application and approval process.
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Contact Mending Hearts immediately and follow the emergency instructions provided by the rescue.
We have established relationships with local veterinary clinics and will coordinate approved medical care. Foster families should not independently authorize non-emergency veterinary treatment unless instructed to do so by Mending Hearts.
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Approved veterinary care for foster animals is coordinated and paid for by Mending Hearts Pet Rescue.
Foster families must communicate with the rescue before scheduling or approving treatment except when immediate emergency action is necessary to protect the animal’s life.
How you can help
There are countless ways you can help us in our quest for paws. You can make a donation (however big or small), join our fundraiser events, or volunteer your time and home as a foster parent.