Foster Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in becoming a foster volunteer! Many of the animals that Denver Animal Shelter (DAS) provides care for each year need additional care before they can be made available for adoption. The shelter can provide that care through our Foster Program with the help of our volunteers that open up their loving homes.

When you choose to foster a homeless pet, you’re taking home an animal that would otherwise stay at the shelter. In a foster home, animals feel the love and support of their foster volunteer family. The information gained while in a foster home helps usbetter assess what type of home will provide each animal with the best chance of success when placed in their forever home.

Foster volunteers are provided with food, pet care supplies, medical support, and tons of affection from a new furry friend.

To become a foster volunteer, please complete the following volunteer application.

Once we receive your application and you attend a volunteer onboarding session, you will receive foster training materials and a virtual introduction meeting and virtual home check will be completed.

Why do animals need foster care?

The Foster Program was created to provide care for animals whose benefit from being in a home setting rather than at Denver Animal Shelter. Animals who enter foster care are generally underage or underweight puppies and kittens as well as adult animals being treated for minor to moderate medical conditions. Our foster program supports our Temporary Pet Housing Program as well.

If I already have pets, can I still foster?

Yes! Many foster volunteers already have pets. Your pets must be current on their core vaccinations and spayed or neutered. The foster animals will need to have an area in your home that is separate from your pets where they can stay. This could be a bathroom,laundry room or guest room. The shelter's Foster Coordinator can assist foster volunteers in assessing an area that would work well for the foster animal.

What does it cost to foster?

Just your time and love! Denver Animal Shelter will provide all the supplies that you will need to care for your foster animal.

How long will I have the foster animal?

The average length of stay for a foster animal is two weeks. However, this will vary based on the needs of the foster animal, and it can range from a few days to six weeks or more. The program is very flexible and foster volunteers can take breaks fromfostering whenever needed.

What if I fall in love with the foster animal?

It is easy to fall in love with a foster animal and want to keep them. Foster volunteers provide a great service by fostering animals in need, and should keep in mind that if they do not adoptthey will be able to help more animals in the long run. Think of it as being a foster animal “aunt or uncle.” Foster animals are a great way to get the joys of having a pet without the commitment.