foster care Program
Our incredible foster volunteers, including both individuals and families, selflessly dedicate their time - whether it's a few days, weeks, or even months - to care for homeless animals. At CRHS, we truly value the amazing support of our foster parents, and it means the world to the animals under our care.
“Fostering allows me to help far more cats than I ever could by simply adopting them myself, and it’s one of the most meaningful ways I can give back.”
“I foster because it is easier for animals to live in a loving environment, than in a cage. I got started when my daughter began working in animal rescue. Prior to that I didn’t realize the need. ”
“I love watching a cat with no socialization skills learn to trust and then love humans. Every cat deserves a home and every home deserves a cat.”
What is a foster?
A foster is a temporary home for an animal while they wait for their forever family. Fosters provide a safe, loving environment where pets can relax outside the shelter, learn routines of home life, and show off their true personalities. The shelter provides food, supplies, and medical care, fosters simply provide the home, care, and plenty of love along the way.
CRHS coordinates/provides all medical and veterinary care needed and also provides all supplies (unless the foster parent chooses to purchase supplies to help with costs, which they can discuss with the Foster Coordination Team).
Interested In Joining Our Foster Care Family?
Click below for more information and submit your application to FC@couleehumane.com
Please email vet records for any current pets in your home as well as
photos/video of the spaces your foster pets will have access to with your application.
*You must be at least 18 years old to foster and must live within an hour of the shelter
While we do everything we can for our animals, the shelter is no substitute for a real home. For some, the stress of sheleter life takes a toll. That’s where fostering steps in. A calm, in-home setting can be life-changing, helping animals build confidence, reduce anxiety, and show their true personalities.
By opening your home, you’re giving an animal more than comfort, you’re giving them hope. Fostering is one of the most powerful ways to change a life. It’s not just temporary care, it’s a gift of a future.
Our Biggest Foster Care Needs Are For:
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Due to the busy nature of the shelter and the number of animals that enter and leave CRHS daily, some of them with unknown vaccination histories, it is best for nursing animals and litters of young kittens/puppies to be in foster care. This reduces stress and ensures that the neonates are much less likely to be exposed to things such as upper respiratory infections or Kennel Cough when their immune systems aren’t mature yet.
Since kittens are so vulnerable, foster families must commit to weighing them regularly (an appropriate scale can be lent out by CRHS) and staying in close contact with the Foster Coordinator about their progress, to ensure that they are developing properly. When kittens/puppies need to come in for booster shots or check-ups, the Foster Coordinator will work with the foster parent to set a day/time that works for everyone (CRHS is open 7 days a week).
Never cared for a bottle baby but want to learn how?
Click HERE to request an in-person bottle baby training! -
Sometimes animals that come to CRHS arrive with certain behavior issues or issues are discovered while they are in our care. Each case is unique and we would never knowingly put foster parents at risk from a truly dangerous animal. There are many behavior issues that can be resolved with training techniques and time, and other behaviors that are caused by the stressful shelter environment might be much more manageable or non-existent in a regular home setting.
If it is a cat displaying behavior that needs extra time and attention our lead cat caregiver and kennel manager will work together to develop a plan for that cat that the foster parent would need to commit to following. Since behavior is an ever-evolving process foster parents should plan to discuss progress with the Foster Coordinator at least weekly via email or phone.
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These issues can range widely and have previously included: recovery from surgery, orphaned un-weaned kittens, treatment for upper respiratory infection, recovery from a limb injury/broken bone, treatment for mange, and treatment for ringworm. Foster families would need to be willing and comfortable learning how to give the required course of treatment. A staff member or the Foster Coordinator would specifically go over the type of medical need, its required treatment, and the tentative treatment timeline before sending the animal home with you.
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Most animals that come to CRHS have never had to experience living in a shelter at any other time of their life. Whether that be a friendly stray that is accustomed to living outdoors or an animal that has had the same family for many years; in each case the shelter can be a very scary and stressful environment for that animal. Shelter stress can lead a normally happy dog to become depressed or anxious in its kennel or it can cause a cat to start displaying fearful aggressive behavior or lack of appetite. Shelter stress is a real danger to an animal’s mental and physical wellbeing. If CRHS staff suspect that an animal has developed shelter stress our goal is to find that animal a foster home that can give that animal time away from the shelter to return to that animal’s previously happy, healthy state of mind. Foster families are required to report any changes, especially those that are worsening, to the Foster Coordinator immediately. This is to hopefully ensure that other interventions can be developed to prevent that animal from continuing to decline mentally.
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Research shows that fostering can have a profound impact on the wellbeing of senior animals, typically those aged seven yrs and older are considered seniors. In shelters, senior animals are adopted at significantly lower rates.
Many senior dogs and cats struggle in kennel environments due to noise, irregular activity, and constant stimulation, which can lead to elevated stress levels and disrupted rest.
When senior animals move into foster homes, even for a short time, their wellbeing improves in measurable ways. Research indicates that fostering lowers stress-related levels and allows dogs to experience deeper, more consistent rest.
While the shelter continues to provide supplies, guidance, and veterinary care, foster homes provide something equally essential, love, patience, and stability. Together, this partnership creates the calm environment senior animals need to decompress, rediscover normal home life, and have a much better chance of finding a permanent family.
