Foster

Fostering with the Humane Society of Carroll County (HSCC) gives animals a second chance while helping expand our capacity to save lives. Whether it’s a young kitten needing extra care, an adult pet recovering from medical treatment, or a pet being prepared for a PetSmart adoption event, foster homes play a vital role in our lifesaving work.

To get started, interested volunteers register through our online form. Once submitted, you’ll receive a foster packet to review while our team completes your application. Most approvals are finalized within 2–3 business days.

After approval, you will get a special code to join our Foster Facebook group, where we post animals in need of care. You can comment or contact us directly when you see an animal you can help. Some animals need to go to foster care the same day, while others are scheduled in advance.

When you pick up a foster pet, HSCC provides food, litter, treats, and any other supplies you need. All foster pets must be returned to the shelter for medical care as scheduled. For questions, you can contact HSCC staff via phone or text, with response times based on urgency. Advice and tips can also be shared in the Facebook group, where foster advocates and experienced volunteers support each other.

If a potential adopter is interested in your foster, HSCC will provide you with their contact information. You are expected to respond within 24 hours and may arrange meet-and-greets either at the shelter or a location of your choice.

For kittens, returning them to HSCC for placement in our PetSmart program is a highly effective way to help them find homes quickly. These high-traffic locations have an average length of stay of just five days, helping kittens move into loving families faster while supporting HSCC’s lifesaving mission. Fosters may also recruit their own adopters.