How does a foster program work?
AC&C often has very young kittens or moms and their litters particularly during the spring and summer months. Young animals require a quiet, disease-free environment in which to gain strength and weight while learning socialization skills. Moms need a stress-free place in which to do what they do best - raise a healthy, well-adjusted litter of kittens. Shelters typically cannot provide appropriate environments for these vulnerable animals. But most of these animals can be brought to the point of adoptability if we partner with a person who can share his or her environment for a short time. Welcoming a kitten or kittens or the mom and her litter into your home for periods ranging from one to six weeks allows the animal to reach the maturity level necessary for adoption. At that time, we will take the animal(s) back into the shelter for placement in our adoption program.

Many of our foster care prospects require some level of intervention from the foster parent. Many young orphaned kittens will require simple medications and training in litter box use. Feral kittens will require gentle handling until they learn to accept and trust human interaction. Moms will require a close eye on her diet and her care of the litter. While there is some work involved, the joy in seeing these kittens thrive and learn to play is incredible. Starting them off in life and then watching them move on to a permanent home is very rewarding.

AC&C provides the basic necessities of life, that is, litter and medications; the foster parent will need to provide the supplies that are necessary, i.e. litter pans, cage when appropriate, toys.

Many foster care animals actually end up adopted by a family member, friend neighbor or colleague of the foster parent. The others come back to the shelters for placement.

AC&C will provide the necessary training for persons interested in fostering a special needs animal. Under certain circumstances we will seek foster placements for puppies, nursing dogs or adult dogs with special medical or housing needs.

For those persons not able to foster animals, we offer the opportunity to sponsor an animal that is being fostered by another volunteer. We will provide a photograph of the sponsored animal and inform you when that animal has been adopted into its new home. You might even help find a home for the animal from among your varied acquaintances.

Essentially, foster care provides greater opportunities for orphaned and homeless animals beyond the walls of the shelter itself. Won't you consider opening your home --and heart to a needy animal?

For more information on our Foster Program, email fosters@nycacc.org.

Seeking Pet Foster Parents & Foster Parent Case Managers.   AC&C cares for over 43,000 homeless, injured, neglected and abandoned animals that have no other place to turn or may be otherwise on the street.  We are seeking temporary foster homes for many of the cats & dogs in our facilities. No experience necessary.  We will find the right foster fit for you. 

Are you a dog trainer, behaviorist or seasoned volunteer?  Not able to foster but have experience necessary to guide a foster parent?   We are also seeking case managers for foster parents.   Case managers will help (no more than 4 parents at a time) foster parents by answering questions, giving proper advice, etc. 

If you are interested, please contact Sarah Brown at sbrown@nycacc.org

Foster Kick Off Meeting & Information Session

Saturday April 26, 2008
10:30 am – 11:30 am
Manhattan Care Center
326 E 110th Street
Between 1st & 2nd Ave

Saturday, April 26, 2008
2 pm – 3 pm
Brooklyn Care Center
2336 Linden Blvd
Brooklyn, NY

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