Foster Care Program

Foster Care volunteers are an integral part of BEBHS' mission.


Fostering is a perfect way to help assist homeless animals for a short-term period. It allows you to have an animal in your home during periods when it fits best to your lifestyle. Each foster has the ability to help hundreds of cats and kittens that may other wise not have a chance!

Why Foster?

The fire that occurred on May 20, 2010 destroyed our entire on-site cat housing. During the week our foster felines are cared for in their foster homes. Every weekend they are returned to the adoption floor. This process will continue until the animal is adopted. It can be difficult to say goodbye to a foster but you can be comforted to know that they would not have a second chance without you. The number of fosters we have reflects the number of animals we can rescue every week. Without the dedication of fosters, we would never be able to save hundreds of kittens and cats every year!

Process of Fostering:

You will fill out a questionnaire in order for BEBHS to better understand your lifestyle to match you with the best foster. Once you have received a call regarding an animal that is in need to foster you will have to arrange transportation to pick up the animal from our shelter at 2700 Ninth Street. BEBHS will provide all supplies needed to foster – food, litter, litter box, carrier, bedding, and toys. Donations are greatly appreciated but, please have them approved by the Foster Coordinator before using on your foster animal. Some animals may need to come in every week or so to undergo medical processing; this is especially true with underage kittens. Foster parents must be willing to arrange transportation for these appointments. Once the animal has been cleared for adoption they need to be returned to the shelter every Saturday morning for the adoption weekend. If the animal has not been adopted by Sunday the foster parent will need to pick them up Sunday evening. The length of foster care depends on the individual animal; it can range from 1 week to several months.


Qualifications to be a Foster Parent:

  • Be 18 years or older.
  • Show genuine concern for the welfare of animals, consistent with the mission of BEBHS.
  • Attend training with the Foster Coordinator to learn how to best care for foster animals.
  • Be able to monitor medical conditions as well as evaluate the behavior of the foster animals.
  • Provide care and socialization to your foster animals.
  • Provide regular transport to medical appointments and adoption weekends.
  • Be willing to separate foster animals from your own animals.
  • Contact the Foster Coordinator or medical staff when any possible concerns develop.
  • Follow all directions given to you by the BEBHS shelter and hospital staff.

Fostering Cats

Cats and kittens are always in need of foster care:

  • Mother cat with her kittens
  • Underage kittens (0-4 weeks) that are nursing from the bottle
  • Underage kittens (5-8 weeks) that are eating solid and wet food on their own and are in foster care until they reach 2 pounds. Once they reach 2 pounds they are spayed or neutered and placed for adoption.
  • Adult cats, between 6 months and 7 years old.
  • Senior cats, 7 years and older.

If you are interested in volunteering to foster cats, please fill out the feline foster application, and fax it to (510) 845-3088, or email it to the Foster Care Coordinator at foster[at]berkeleyhumane[dot]org.

Fostering Dogs

If you are interested in volunteering to foster dogs, please fill out the canine foster application, and fax it to (510) 845-3088, or email it to the Foster Care Coordinator at foster[at]berkeleyhumane[dot]org.

Puppies and dogs in need of foster care:

  • Neo-natal puppies (0-4 weeks) that are nursing from the bottle
  • Underage puppies (5-8 weeks) that are eating on their own and need socialization. Once a puppy has reached 8 weeks old they can be spayed or neutered and placed for adoption.
  • Adolescents (8 weeks – 6 months) that need socialization and breaks from the kennels.
  • Adults (6 months – 7 years)
  • Seniors (7 years and older)
  • Medical cases (all ages)

For more information, contact the Foster care coordinator by phone at (510) 845-3633, x14, or by email at foster[at]berkeleyhumane[dot]org.