Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
3 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Closed Thursdays
Saturday
11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday
11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Please make an appointment to surrender your cat or dog.
Volunteer
Foster Care
The Nonie Krauss Foster Care Program is designed to help the animals in our shelter who need extra time before being ready for adoption. We're currently looking for people interested in fostering a variety of animals in need, including animals with minor behavior issues, animals in need of medical treatment, puppies and kittens too young for adoption, and moms with puppies or kittens.
The Nonie Krauss Foster Care Program may be right for you if:
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You can commit to foster 5 times per year for 2-3 weeks each time.
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All animals in your home are spayed or neutered, and up to date on all vaccinations, and you can house foster animals separate from your resident pets.
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You're able to transport the foster animal to the shelter frequently for check ups.
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You're looking to make a difference in the lives of animals that need a second chance.
Who needs 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 can find that perfect someone.
Some of our biggest foster needs are foster homes for cats or kittens who 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, and 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 while still too young or small for our adoption floor (click for info on how you can help orphaned or feral kittens if you've found them). These animals need some time to grow before they're ready to go to their forever homes. Foster parents provide a warm, loving environment in which these little guys can prepare themselves 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 ready in case the need arises.
**For more information about the types of animals in need of foster care, please read the Foster Care 101 Handout.
How do I become a foster parent?
Step 1
Fill out the Foster Care Application and return it to our Foster Care Coordinator, Laura Amonette. 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 Laura Amonette. Email Foster Care or fax to 317-876-2428.
Step 2:
After reviewing your application Laura will contact you to discuss the program further.
We ask for our foster parents to commit to fostering a minimum of 5 different foster cases per year. After completing your phone interview and we have determined that we are a good match you will be asked to attend Foster Care Orientation and sign a foster care aggreement.
Step 3:
Complete foster care orientation/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 4:
Take home your first foster animal.
For more information, please contact:
Laura Amonette, Nonie Krauss Foster Care Program Coordinator
317-872-5650 x111, or email Laura.
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?
Who was Nonie Krauss?
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.
- 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: Our foster parents often 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.
Q: Who was Nonie Krauss?
A: Our foster care program is underwritten in loving memory of Eleanor “Nonie” Krauss (1949 to 2007). Nonie loved life. She loved things that coo and fly, things that had four legs, things that were green and flowering. In 1999, Nonie rescued an abused dog, a Chow/Golden she named Cubby. Because of Nonie, Cubby enjoyed many years of life he never would have had. Nonie and her husband, John, fostered animals in need from the Humane Society of Indianapolis. The Nonie Krauss Foster Care Program was dedicated in her memory on October 25, 2009.
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.
