What is Fospice?

Hobby enjoying the view in her fospice home.

One unique program we have at the SPCA of Texas is our fospice program. The number one question we get about our fospice program? What on earth is it? Here’s a breakdown of what “fospice” means. 

Rambo, currently waiting for a fospice family.

What Does “Fospice” Mean?

The term “fospice” is a combination of the words “foster” and “hospice.” About a third of the animals in our care at any given time are actually located in foster homes. 

Foster homes are temporary living arrangements with a family who cares for an animal that has not yet been placed for adoption. We have three main types of fostering: adoption ambassadors, who help adoptable pets learn basic life skills and find their forever homes; healing & comfort fosters, who give animals a quiet place to recuperate from an illness or surgery, or care for a mother animal and her babies until they are ready for adoption; and trust building & socialization fosters, who help animals learn to trust humans in a home environment.

Hospice refers to end-of-life living and care arrangements for geriatric individuals or people with a progressive, chronic illness. 

“Fospice” combines these terms to refer to foster parents that take in animals for the rest of that animal’s life and provides the care they need to be happy and comfortable. With the SPCA of Texas, we place animals that have chronic illnesses that require medical supervision or geriatric animals that still have a few happy months or years left with a family that can care for their needs. Some pets have just a few good weeks left to eat all the peanut butter their heart desires and check things off their doggie bucket list, while others can live happy lives for several years. 

Trouble, before going to fospice.

Is It Expensive?

With our fospice program, there is no need to worry about the cost of veterinary care or medicine. The SPCA of Texas provides for all of the fospice pet’s medical needs. 

Trouble, spoiled absolutely rotten in his fospice home. Yes, that’s his own pillow and blankie.

What Are the Responsibilities?

Your number one priority as a fospice parent is the well-being of your fospice pet. Many of the animals that end up in fospice have been rescued from cruelty or neglect cases, and your love can quite literally transform their lives. Depending on their needs, you may need to administer medication. That can entail daily pills, ointments, drops, or even injections. Some dogs may need physical therapy or other at-home care. Fospice parents will need to live within driving distance of our Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center in Dallas to bring them to appointments with our veterinarians. 

Perhaps the most serious responsibility you’ll have as a fospice parent is the end-of-life discussion with our veterinarians. Pets typically give us clues when it’s time for them to pass over the rainbow bridge, and you’ll be able to pick up on signs that your pet is losing their quality of life. While this may seem like a sad thing to think about, our fospice parents are often comforted by the fact that they are making this crucial decision in their fospice pet’s best interest. For much of these animals’ lives, they had no one to speak on their behalf. Fospice parents get the privilege of being their fospice pet’s trusted caretaker and their advocate.

Minkers, another pup looking for a fospice home.

Is it Worth It?

Ask any of our fospice parents and the answer will be enthusiastically, yes. As difficult as it is to say goodbye when the time comes, the unconditional love their fospice pets give them will last a lifetime. 

To learn about the pets we have waiting for fospice and foster homes, please visit spca.org/fosterme.