Make a difference in a pet’s life!

Fostering is a rewarding way to help pets from the Big Bear and Devore Animal Shelters. By opening your heart and home, you provide a safe, temporary space where pets can heal, build trust, and prepare for adoption in a comfortable environment. Whether you’re not ready to adopt or just want some furry companionship for a little while, fostering offers flexibility and purpose—without a long-term commitment. All pet supplies, veterinary care, and ongoing support are provided.

Become a foster hero!

Fill out a quick application to get started — we’ll guide you every step of the way.

1. Be 18 years or older, have a valid form of identification, reside in San Bernardino County, and have reliable transportation and housing.

2. Attend orientation online or in person, then finish with a light review.

4. Let the fostering begin! You will begin receiving emails with information about pets who need your help. To accept a specific pet, you can contact your foster liaison and arrange pickup.

5. Welcome your first foster pet home! All pet supplies, veterinary care, and ongoing support are provided.

Pet Foster Parent Manuals

Below you will find manuals to empower you on your journey to becoming a pet foster hero!

Welcome to the world of pet fostering! This manual is designed to support you as you care for pets in need. This manual is your go-to reference, offering practical tips and advice to ensure the best possible experience for you and the pets you are caring for.

Welcome to the world of kitten fostering! This manual serves as your go-to resource providing practical advice, expert tips, and compassionate guidance to ensure a positive fostering experience.

Coming soon!

FAQs

The needs of individual foster pets will vary. Therefore, the amount of time they may need to stay in your home will also vary. Underage puppies/kittens can be adopted once they reach 8 weeks of age. Foster pets with medical conditions will need to be cleared for adoption by our veterinary staff.

Foster parents are essential in marketing and promoting their foster pet(s) for adoption. It is strongly encouraged for foster parents to find a potential adopter prior to the return date so that the pet has a smooth transition. It is important to note that foster pets are only eligible for adoption once they reach the age of 8 weeks, and the adoption process must be handled by San Bernardino County Animal Care.

Yes, you can! There are, however, some rules and guidelines that you will need to follow regarding your foster pet(s) but having other pets in your home does not disqualify you from becoming a foster.

We encourage your children to have supervised interaction with foster pets. Children should not be permitted to handle newborn pets. Caution and direct supervision are a must!

If you have an interested party that would like to adopt one or more of your foster pet(s), please have them come to the shelter with you on the return date to process the adoption.

The foster team will be your first point of contact for any questions or concerns you may have about your pet(s).

For everyone’s protection and safety, your resident pets are required to be up to date on vaccines.

If you can’t foster a pet, that’s okay; there are other ways to help:

  • Become a Shelter Volunteer by applying on our volunteer portal.
  • Donate to our foster pet Amazon Wishlist.
  • Donate to our Animals aRe First Fund (ARFF), a non-profit organization that contributes 100% of your contribution to help pets at our shelters.
  • Spread awareness about this program by sharing our foster program page with your network.

All medical expenses for foster pets, including approved veterinary visits and vaccinations, are covered by the pet foster program. As a foster parent, you will not be required to pay any medical costs.

Depending on the pet’s medical needs and vaccination schedule, follow-up appointments may be required. These will be arranged by the San Bernardino County Animal Care staff and communicated to you in advance. You will need to travel for these appointments.

Foster pets must be picked up on the same day. For bottle babies, this timeframe may be even shorter. Please contact your foster liaison to confirm pick-up arrangements before visiting the shelter.

The mission of our foster program is to create a network of dedicated foster homes that provide temporary care and shelter for pets in need. We are committed to offering a safe and loving environment where animals can heal, grow, and thrive while they await adoption into their forever homes. Through education, support, and collaboration, we strive to make a positive impact on the lives of animals and the community by reducing shelter overcrowding and promoting responsible pet ownership.

Additional Resources