Open Your Heart and Home: Celebrate National Foster a Pet Month by Becoming a Foster Hero

Shelters throughout Texas are at capacity, and the SPCA of Texas is no exception. June is National Foster a Pet Month and one of the most impactful things you can do to help save lives is to open your home as a foster parent. Whether you’re providing a short-term stay for a healthy pup or long-term care for a pet with medical needs, fostering changes lives—both theirs and yours.

Fostering is more than just temporary pet-sitting. It is a vital lifeline for animals in need. When you foster, you’re giving a cat or dog a safe, nurturing environment while they wait for their “happily ever after.” You’re also helping to clear space in our shelters so we can save more lives.

Overcrowding can increase the risk of disease, stress and preventable behavior issues. Fostering reduces these risks dramatically, especially for at-risk pets such as newborn kittens, pregnant mothers, sick or injured animals, and seniors who may not thrive in a shelter setting.

“Fostering plays a crucial role in preparing shelter pets for adoption by giving them valuable socialization and allowing us to see their true personalities in a home setting,” said SPCA of Texas Senior Director of Lifesaving Operations Sarah Sheek. “Fostering is also a meaningful way for families to bond while caring for a dog or cat in need. With school out for the summer, it’s an ideal time to teach kids about the needs of shelter pets and show them how fostering can make a real difference in the lives of animals—and in their own community.

“Right now, shelters across North Texas are facing extreme overcrowding,” Sheek added. “When you foster a pet, you’re truly saving two lives: the one you welcome into your home, and the one who now has space in the shelter.”

There are numerous benefits of fostering, including:

1. You save lives. Every pet placed in a foster home opens up space for another to be rescued. You’re literally making room for the next life to be saved.
2. You help pets shine. Foster homes allow animals to learn basic house manners, get comfortable with people, and work on trust and socialization. Whether it’s a shy dog from a cruelty case or a curious kitten learning the world, your care makes them more adoptable.
3. It’s a “test run.” Not sure if pet ownership is right for you? Fostering allows you to experience life with a pet without the long-term commitment. Many of our Foster Heroes even discover their perfect companion during this process. And yes, we’ll help you adopt if you fall in love!

The SPCA of Texas offers several types of fostering to suit different lifestyles:

• Adoption Ambassadors give adult pets a home while actively helping them find their forever family. Share their stories, photos, and quirks to help match them with the right person. Average time: 2–3 weeks.
• Trust-Building & Socialization Fosters work with pets who have faced trauma or neglect. With your patience and love, these animals learn that people can be kind. Average time: 4 weeks to 3 months.
• Healing & Comfort Fosters care for animals recovering from illness or surgery, pregnant mothers, or orphaned babies. We provide all supplies and medical care—your job is to give them a calm, healing space. Average time: 2–4 weeks.
• Borrow-a-Buddy offers short-term fun! Take a dog out for a hike, a sleepover, or a day of exploring. These outings help dogs decompress and give SPCA of Texas adoptions team valuable insight into the pup’s personality.
• Fospice fosters care for terminally ill or elderly pets. These animals deserve to spend their final days in a warm, loving home. We provide full medical support. You provide compassion, dignity and comfort.

As an SPCA of Texas foster, your main job is to offer love, care and a safe environment to the pet, which includes:

• Food, water and everyday nurturing.
• Administering medications or attending vet appointments, as needed.
• Socializing and offering basic training to prepare the animal for adoption.
• Observing and sharing information about the animal’s behavior to help us make the best adoption match.

Fostering a shelter pet at the SPCA of Texas is free! We support our fosters every step of the way by providing:

• All supplies: crates, food, toys, bowls, potty pads and more.
• Training and support tailored to your foster pet’s needs.
• Veterinarian care at our clinic.
• Temporary boarding or sitter support if you need to travel.
• A vibrant community of Foster Heroes to share your journey.

To become a Foster Hero, simply fill out our foster application. SPCA of Texas Adoptions/Foster staff members will match you with a pet that fits your lifestyle and level of experience. Employees and volunteers also will provide any training you might need if any specialized care is necessary for your foster pet.

You’ll receive regular newsletters, foster requests and access to our Foster Hero Facebook group. If you ever need to pause fostering or return a pet, we’ll work with you to make sure the transition is smooth.

Foster care saves thousands, if not millions, of lives every year. While it’s difficult to count exactly how many adoptions are made possible because of fostering, we know one thing: it works. At the SPCA of Texas, nearly a third of our animals are cared for in foster homes. And we’re always looking for more heroes.

Whether you’re giving a pregnant mama cat a calm place to give birth, helping a dog overcome a rough past, or just taking a shelter pup on a weekend adventure, your contribution matters.

Together we can make this National Foster a Pet Month—and every month—a celebration of second chances, wagging tails, purring hearts and loving homes.

If you’ve ever thought about fostering, now is the time. We need your help more than ever. Join the SPCA of Texas in creating brighter futures for animals in need. Become a Foster Hero here.

by Becky E. Adamietz-Deo