Foster Care

If you are interested in opening your home and providing love to a shelter pet, fostering might be for you!  The first step to becoming a foster with GMHS is to fill out an application.

Interested in being a GMHS Foster Volunteer, but have some questions?

Check out our Foster FAQs.

We will ALWAYS accept new FOSTER volunteers! If you are interested in fostering, please contact GMHS Foster Coordinator Ruthanne at 804-693-5520 ext. 111 or [email protected].

*All applications are subject to approval. 


Foster FAQs

What is the expected length of foster care?

Every case is different. Foster care can take anywhere from a few days to a few months, depending on the reason for fostering. Any amount of time that you can volunteer is helping an animal and us. 

Can I foster if I have pets of my own? 

Yes. We recommend that your pets are current on their vaccinations.

What if I only want to foster a particular type of animal, such as kittens?

You can specify what type of animal you are willing to foster. 

What do I do if my foster animal needs veterinary care? 

In the event your foster pet should need veterinary care, you need to contact GMHS or our foster coordinator. If it an emergency, and the facility is closed, you would take the animal to a veterinarian and GMHS would reimburse the expense.

Do I furnish all supplies for foster pets? 

Not at all! GMHS provides a wire crate, transport crate, food, litter, etc for the animal(s) in foster.

What if I want to adopt my foster animal? 

GMHS strives to make complimentary matches between animal and adopter. If you have found the perfect forever companion in a foster that fits into your home and lifestyle, GMHS will require you fill out an adoption application to adopt.

Isn’t it hard to say goodbye to foster animals?

Part of the joy of fostering is knowing that the animal will get a great new family that will truly benefit from your efforts. And, if you get lonesome, there will always be another animal that needs your help.