Foster a Pet
There are no out-of-pocket costs to providing foster care.
We provide food, crates, bowls, bedding, collars/leashes, toys, pet transportation, and veterinary care. We’re available 24/7 if you need advice or help.
Fewer than 1 in 5 domestic violence shelters nationwide allow pets.
Can you take in a pet until its owner can reach safety and find stable, pet-friendly housing? Foster homes are needed for all types of animals: dogs (especially medium to large dogs), cats, birds, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, mice, rats, guinea pigs, turtles, lizards, fish…even horses and other large animals.
By providing temporary foster care to a pet in need, you’re helping to ensure a brighter future for the animal and human victims of domestic violence. Our program offers up to 60 days of assistance, so we don’t ask foster homes to take in a pet for longer than that time frame unless circumstances warrant an extension of stay and the foster home is willing. We can also accommodate foster volunteers’ travel/vacation schedules by finding alternate arrangements for foster pets.
If you have any questions about becoming a Foster Volunteer, please reach out to vanessa@ahimsahouse.org.
The steps involved in becoming and being a foster home are:
- Complete the foster home application found here. Prepare to answer questions about your home and pets, and provide a copy of your driver’s license. The application will provide instructions on undergoing a background check that can be completed from home at no cost to you.
- We process the application, complete your reference check, and await the results of your background check — please understand that this process may take several weeks depending on the availability of our staff, your references, and the Emory PD (who completes the background check).
- We place you on our foster home list. You’ll receive periodic emails detailing the pets in need of foster, and you’ll let us know if if one sounds like a good fit!
- Per the GA Department of Agriculture, we will complete a foster home check prior to placing your first foster pet.
- We’ll arrange all transportation for your foster pet and will provide all vet care and pet supplies. You’ll have 24/7 support from Ahimsa House staff while the pet is in your care.