Foster volunteers play a vital role for the Edmonton Humane Society. These volunteers open their hearts and homes to animals who are not yet ready for adoption. Animals who require foster care may be too young for adoption, sick or injured, need specific behaviour therapy, or perhaps just a quiet place to lay their heads. Some pets are very stressed at the shelter and do much better in a home environment, allowing their true personalities to come out. The foster program also opens up space in the shelter, freeing kennels to house and care for even more animals.
Foster volunteers provide temporary care in their homes until the animals are ready for adoption. The length of stay in a foster home can vary anywhere from two weeks to two months. Over 1400 animals benefit from foster care each year; spending time in a loving home environment sets them up for success in their future adoptive homes.
The EHS provides all supplies and veterinary care; foster parents provide much needed TLC and basic care such as feeding, exercise, grooming, socialization, and occasional medication administration (full instructions provided).
How to Become a Foster
Step 1: Application & Screening
Submit a foster application online. Please allow our team approximately 2 weeks to review and process your application.
Before you apply, a few important requirements you should know:
Must be 18 years of age or older
Resident pets must have current vaccines and be spayed/neutered
Must have separate room to isolate foster animals (with bleachable surfaces)
Must live within 100km of our facility as travel is regularly required for supply pick-ups and medical appointments for foster animals
Must have time and lifestyle to support foster care plans
All EHS Foster Volunteers are required to accept a minimum of ONE foster placement per calendar year to maintain their active status.
You will be asked to complete a Criminal Record Check as the final step in the screening process.
Step 2: Onboarding & Training
EHS onboards and trains all fosters so you are well-equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to be successful. Once an application is approved, all Foster volunteers must complete the onboarding steps below:
General Foster Volunteer Orientation
Illness and Emergency in Foster Training
Plus, additional training based on your foster preferences. This includes specific support for:
Fostering Dogs and Puppies
Fostering Cats and Kittens
Fostering Orphan Kitten
Small Animal
Step 3: Start Fostering!
Following your successful application and training period, you’ll be able to start fostering an animal in our care.
Current Opportunities
Click the role title to view the description and apply. Scroll right on mobile to view the full details.
On-going commitment: Short & Long term opportunities
What Our Fosters Say
Bounce has turned into a happy, healthy pup – everyone says he’s aptly named! He loves spending time at our cabin and hiking in the mountains. He’s always encouraging us and takes the lead both up and down.
I couldn’t imagine life without our happy, silly, energetic, little boy who we were able to help thanks to EHS. Bounce has changed our lives!
Katelyn R.
, Bounce the Yorkshire Terrier
My most memorable was a little foster rabbit that came into my care – I called him Bear. At the time, I had another foster named Tutter and Bear was an amazing companion to him. Wherever Bear was Tutter was; they played and cuddled like they were brothers. They strengthened each other and me as well.
They day Bear got adopted was bittersweet, sad to see him go but absolutely blessed to know that he went to a place where he would thrive and be loved. It was an amazing experience.
Jessica N.
, Bear the Rabbit
My family and I began fostering Delilah, a beautiful short-haired chihuahua, in November 2021. During our first meeting with Delilah, our hearts melted. We were confident that we could provide her with a safe and comfortable foster home where she could learn to be less shy and more confident towards humans.
It’s been a few months now with Delilah as a part of our family and she has become more confident with people. I think she has become more relaxed around humans because she knows she has a fur-ever family.
