Foster Care Program

New foster parents are always welcome to the team! Animal Services relies heavily on these individuals and their expertise to help animals that would not otherwise thrive at the shelter. Here is how one begins as a foster parent:

• Foster Orientation – The very first step is to attend the shelter’s virtual orientation to learn more about the program.
• E-mail Posts – The shelter will “post” out animals in need of foster care via e-mail and the foster parent can select from any of those animals.
• Foster Rechecks - Foster parents are expected to transport the pets to the Animal Services clinic for rechecks every two weeks. Rechecks are on appointment basis in an effort to best serve the foster parent and ensure service as quick as possible. Foster rechecks are offered in the afternoon each day of the week.
• Adoption – When the pet is deemed ready for adoption the foster parent will return the pet to the shelter. Pictures and descriptions of the animals are very welcome and help to market the pet and find the ideal home. Foster parents are welcome to solicit adopters for their foster pets prior to their return to the shelter. The interested adopters will then report to Animal Services to complete the paperwork.

To begin, please complete this form.

Foster parents caring for pets from Orange County Animal Services can make recheck appointments via the fostering services portal here.