The Virginia Beach SPCA foster program is a cooperative effort on the part of our shelter and generous volunteers for the purpose of providing specialized care to animals that are not yet ready for the adoption process or shelter environment. Approximately 1,500 animals benefit from the foster program each year.
Our approved foster homes provide care and a nurturing environment until the animal is old enough or strong enough to be adopted. It takes a great deal of dedication to provide such intimate care for an animal that will eventually leave, but those who foster find the experience deeply rewarding.
What Kind of Animals Receive Foster Care?
Kittens and puppies whose immune systems are not yet fully developed and who are too young to be spayed/neutered
Kittens and puppies who were relinquished before they were fully weaned
Animals that are recovering from an illness or injury and require targeted care
Animals that need socialization
Mother dogs and cats with their babies
Fostering Goals
To prevent euthanasia by providing for special needs in temporary foster homes
To provide a less stressful environment in which ill/ injured animals may fully recover
To ensure that all puppies and kittens are completely weaned, old enough to vaccinate and spay/neuter, and have been properly socialized before being placed for adoption
To increase the adoptability of animals that have unknown histories or questionable behavioral traits by observing their behavior in a home setting and socializing them to human companionship
How Foster Care Works
The animal goes to the foster home until the date noted on the fostering contract. Every two weeks, the animal will need to be brought to the shelter for check-ups, weighing and deworming, if necessary. Phone and email updates are always appreciated, but we would like to physically see the foster animals and check in with them at least every few weeks. The animal is returned to the VBSPCA when it is ready for adoption, or on the date specified. If the VBSPCA has any concerns about the animal’s health, we may ask for the animal to be returned before the specified date. Please allow us to make these decisions in the best interest of the animal.
Fill out the registration form below and pay the registration fee. Once you have submitted payment, you will receive a confirmation receipt email with a link to our Foster Application. Please check your spam mail folder if it does not arrive in your inbox.
Complete the Foster Application. The application includes two qualification pieces. One is to electronically sign our policies and waivers. The second is completing the background check.
Once your background check is submitted and has been processed, you will receive a decision email on your status.
If accepted, you will receive a welcome letter with information on how to register for orientation and our VBSPCA Foster Program.
Please contact the VBSPCA Foster Team at foster@vbspca.com with any questions.
**If you are interested in becoming a VBSPCA Adult Volunteer in addition to fostering, please complete the Adult Volunteer application. This will also serve as your VBSPCA Foster application**
As you prepare to return your fosters for the adoption process, please fill out the corresponding personality profile. Please note, we do not need personality profiles for puppies.
Foster
The Virginia Beach SPCA foster program is a cooperative effort on the part of our shelter and generous volunteers for the purpose of providing specialized care to animals that are not yet ready for the adoption process or shelter environment. Approximately 1,500 animals benefit from the foster program each year.
Our approved foster homes provide care and a nurturing environment until the animal is old enough or strong enough to be adopted. It takes a great deal of dedication to provide such intimate care for an animal that will eventually leave, but those who foster find the experience deeply rewarding.
What Kind of Animals Receive Foster Care?
Fostering Goals
How Foster Care Works
The animal goes to the foster home until the date noted on the fostering contract. Every two weeks, the animal will need to be brought to the shelter for check-ups, weighing and deworming, if necessary. Phone and email updates are always appreciated, but we would like to physically see the foster animals and check in with them at least every few weeks. The animal is returned to the VBSPCA when it is ready for adoption, or on the date specified. If the VBSPCA has any concerns about the animal’s health, we may ask for the animal to be returned before the specified date. Please allow us to make these decisions in the best interest of the animal.
Foster Application Process:
Please contact the VBSPCA Foster Team at foster@vbspca.com with any questions.
**If you are interested in becoming a VBSPCA Adult Volunteer in addition to fostering, please complete the Adult Volunteer application. This will also serve as your VBSPCA Foster application**
To register for the VBSPCA Foster program, click here
Current Fosters
As you prepare to return your fosters for the adoption process, please fill out the corresponding personality profile. Please note, we do not need personality profiles for puppies.