Fax: 317-876-2428
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday
11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m
Sunday
11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Closed
Thursday and Holidays
Become Involved
Foster Care
Our foster care program is designed to help those animals here in our shelter that need extra time before being ready for adoption. We are currently looking for people that are interested in fostering a variety of animals in need, including animals with minor behavior issues, animals in need of medical treatment, puppies and kittens that are too young for adoption, and moms with puppies or kittens.
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Is our program right for you?
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What animals are in need of foster care?
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How do I become a foster parent?
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Frequently Asked Questions
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FosterCare Happy Tails
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Contact our Foster Care Coordinator
Our foster care program may be right for you if you:
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Can commit to foster 5 cases per year – 2-3 weeks in length.
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All animals in your home are spayed or neutered, and up to date on all vaccinations. Are able to house foster animals separate from your resident animals.
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Are able to transport the foster animal to the shelter frequently for check ups.
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Are looking to make a difference in the lives of animals that need a second chance.
What animals are in need of foster care?
Some dogs and cats are nervous or shy here, or may have too much energy for the kennel environment. Sending these animals into a foster home helps them to prepare for their forever homes. It gives them an opportunity to gain confidence or manners so they are able to find that perfect someone.
One of our biggest foster needs are foster homes for cats or kittens that have come down with an upper respiratory infection and need a quiet home to recover. The shelter can be a very stressful place for cats, having a loving foster home to recover helps these animals prepare for their forever homes.
Some dogs need a little extra medical care while they are with us. Foster parents help to provide loving caring homes where dogs can recover from surgery or heal from a broken bone. Sometimes dogs come down with upper respiratory infections as well and need some time to recover before finding their forever home.
Puppies and kittens are often brought to our shelter without their mothers when they are still too young or small for our adoption floor. These animals need some time to grow before they are ready to search for their forever homes. Foster parents provide a warm loving environment for these little guys to prepare for our adoption floor.
We also need foster homes for mama dogs and their puppies. Although we do not see them as often as we do cats with kittens we always need foster parents in case the need arises.
**For more information about the types of animals that we send to foster care and the care they will need please read the Foster Care 101 Handout.
How do I become a foster parent?
Steps to Becoming a Foster Parent
Step 1
Fill out the Foster Care Application and return it to our Foster Care Coordinator, Abra Foster. You can email, fax, drop it in the mail, or bring the application in person to our adoption lobby.
Please look over all the information on our website about our foster care program, including the Foster Care 101 Handout. If you have any questions about the program please feel free to contact Abra Foster. After reviewing your application Abra will contact you to set up a time for a Meet and Greet to discuss the program further.
Email Foster Care or fax to 317-876-2428.
Step 2:
Attend a Meet and Greet with Foster Care Coordinator, Abra Foster.
A Meet and Greet is an opportunity to sit down with our Foster Care Coordinator and get to know our program on a personal level. Foster Care Coordinator will contact you after reviewing your application to set up a time for your Meet and Greet.
Step 3:
Sign Foster Care Commitment
We ask for our foster parents to commit to fostering a minimum of 5 different foster cases per year. After completing your Meet and Greet and we have determined that we are a good match you will be asked to sign a Foster Care Commitment.
Step 4:
Complete Foster Care Training
Foster Care Training is a 3-hour training session in which you will be educated on all the information you will need to know as a foster parent for HSI. You will learn about caring for animals with medical needs including administering medication, basic behavior, how to prepare your home for foster animals, basic handling for all animals, how to help socialize shy animals, and how to prepare your foster animals for their forever homes. Dates to be announced.
Step 5:
Take home your first foster animal.
For more information please contact:
Abra Foster, Foster Care Coordinator
317-872-5650 ext 135, or email Abra.
Fax is 317-876-2428.
Mailing address:
7929 N. Michigan Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Foster Care?
Will I be able to say what animal I am willing to foster?
Will I be able to say what animal I am willing to foster?
I have pets of my own, is that ok?
What supplies do I need to foster an animal?
What happens if my foster animal becomes ill?
How long will I foster an animal?
If I spend time fostering an animal, will it find a home?
Can I adopt my foster animal?
Q: What is Foster Care?
A: The ability to place animals into foster care helps animals have a second chance at finding a lifetime home.
Foster care volunteers provide short-term housing for:
Puppies and kittens
Mom and Litters
Animals with minor medical problems
Animals that are exhibiting slight behavior problems
The more foster parents we have the more animals we can help!
Q: Will I be able to say what animal I am willing to foster?
A: Yes, you can specify what type of animal you are willing to foster, dog or cat, puppies or kittens, sick or injured. It's your choice.
Q: I have pets of my own, is that ok?
A: Yes, you can foster even if you have pets of your own. Foster animals should be isolated from your personal pets so that you do not risk spreading any possible illness. The Humane Society of Indianapolis provides any medication needed for the foster animals; however we are not able to treat foster parents own animals if they become ill. Make sure your own pets are fully vaccinated.
Q: What supplies do I need to foster an animal?
A: Nothing, the Humane Society of Indianapolis will provide everything you need: food, bowls, towels, and whatever else your foster animal may need. All you have to do is open your home and your heart to that special animal in need.
Q: What happens if my foster animal becomes ill?
A: The Humane Society of Indianapolis includes a Veterinary Services Department to care for our animals. A professional is available for consultation 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week in case of an emergency.
Q: How long will I foster an animal?
A: Every case is different. Foster care can take anywhere from 1 week to 2 months, depending on the reason for fostering. The foster parent decides upon a time commitment. For example, if you are available for two weeks, you will only have the animal for two weeks. However there may be times when you are asked to keep a foster animal longer than the initial estimated time. Any amount of time that you can volunteer is helping an animal and us. We ask that our foster parents commit to taking a minimum of 5 foster cases per year, each case being 2-3 weeks in length.
Q: If I spend time fostering an animal, will it find a home?
A: Of all foster care animals, 95% are placed into new homes. We understand the bond can be formed between you and your foster animal so we will do everything we can to make sure that your foster animal gets placed into a loving home. Foster parents are also encouraged to help find their foster animals a home. Sadly, there are times when even with the best care provided by you and the Humane Society staff, the outcome is not always as what we hoped for. Our staff will do its best to help you understand the particular circumstances in these instances.
Q: Can I adopt my foster animal?
A: Often times our foster parents fall in love with their foster animal and wish to make them a permanent addition to their family. Foster parents interested in adopting their foster animals must go through the normal adoption procedure.
Foster Care Happy Tails
“I've had lots of great experiences with the Foster Care program. My favorite part of it is getting to learn a little bit about the very different personalities of each animal. It doesn't take many days for them to let you know what they like to do, how they like to play etc., and they are all so different. In litters of kittens, or older cats they'll all have something different about them that sets them apart. To see how trusting they can be, how they love to be with humans, how much fight and play is in them even when they are quite small or sick.
“We have 3 cats, 1 dog, 1 guinea pig and a bird in our family - so the reality is that I won't be adopting anymore animals in the near future. Fostering allows me to get to know and enjoy new animals for brief periods of time. I can still get a "kitty fix", but know they'll go back in a few weeks and have a very good chance of finding a permanent home. I add to their life, and they very definitely add to mine.” -- Kathie, long time foster parent
“Something amazing happened last night...
I usually sit next to the carrier on the floor, that's where Fred likes to sit. Since he doesn't like to get picked up, I pet him in there. I started to brush his head and he liked it. Georgia and Mississippi got on my lap and one started to play with my necklace and the other one laid with her legs up. I stopped brushing Fred and started with the other two. .... At this point Fred saw they are having fun on my lap and since I was not brushing him anymore he came out and SAT ON MY LAP !!! I could not believe it. I started to brush his head. Between three of their PPPPUUUURRRRing got loud. It was amazing. Fred got up my lap few times and came back again asking for more.”
--nEda – long time foster mom after a foster triumph
Fred, Georgia, and Mississippi spent several weeks in foster care recovering from an upper respiratory infection. Fred was a big scardey cat and was nervous and shy here in the shelter. During his time spent in foster care he opened up and gained confidence. All three cats came back to the shelter and found their forever homes.
