Foster

HSHA is always in need of more foster homes!

Fostering is a rewarding experience and one that directly saves lives. Foster families are an important partner in HSHA’s mission because they provide temporary homes for animals that we may not be able to care for in the shelter environment. HSHA provides foster families with all of the education, support, and supplies needed to care for foster animals while in their care. In turn, foster families provide the love and extra attention that many foster animals need.

Foster families provide temporary homes for animals for a variety of reasons, most commonly because:

• An animal is too young to adopt out
• An animal is undergoing medical treatment or recovering from surgery
• An animal is very scared or stressed in the shelter environment
• An animal has specific behavior needs that are best addressed outside the shelter environment

Foster families should be able to provide an area in their home that is isolated from other pets. Other pets in the home must be up-to-date on all vaccines. HSHA will never ask a foster family to house an animal that may not be a “good match” for that family.

Important Information about HSHA’s foster program:

The first step in the process to becoming a HSHA foster parent is to submit the Foster Application along with current vaccine records for all pets in the home.    

• There are no costs associated with being a foster parent, though some foster homes do decide to provide all or some of their own supplies to ease the financial burden on the shelter.
• Kittens, puppies, nursing moms with kittens/puppies, adults cats, adult dogs, and small animals (rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, etc) are all animals served by HSHA’s foster program. 
• HSHA employs a full-time veterinarian who will provide all the necessary medical care for your foster animal. You will bring the animal to the shelter located at 7790 Grayson Rd, Harrisburg for all of his/her medical needs and appointments.
• You will have after-hours access to the foster coordinator to walk you through any emergencies that may arise.
• The length of time that the animal will be in your care will be dependent on the reason for foster. The foster coordinator will discuss the timeline of care for your foster animal upon pick up – including when he/she will need to return to the shelter for check-up exams and/or vaccine booster appointments.

If you are able to provide this important service to the animals while they await adoption, please complete this application:

You can also download the form to fill out and drop it off at HSHA or email to courtneyf@humanesocietyhbg.org. 

Someone will contact you once it has been received. To expedite the process, please also all email current vaccine records for your pets to courtneyf@humanesocietyhbg.org or fax to 717-564-1867.

For any questions about this life saving program please contact the Shelter Manager at courtneyf@humanesocietyhbg.org.