Fostering Pets

Umbrella of Hope is not a shelter...all of our animals awaiting adoption are in volunteer foster homes just like yours. Our foster homes range from students, to stay-at-home moms, to retired people to full-time workers. The number of animals we can help completely depends on the number of foster homes available. Foster homes are always needed. Fostering a pet can be a very rewarding experience. Animals provide countless hours of entertainment, education, and enrichment for the entire family. Many families love fostering so they can teach their children the responsibility of caring for an animal and check readiness for owning a pet.

Many families foster a litter of kittens in order to pick the 1-2 that are a best fit for their family to adopt OR to try out different dog breed mixes and energy levels in order to make an informed decision about their next family pet.

We are most in need of foster homes for the following types of animals:

- Kittens (bottle babies, transitional, moms/litters)

- Special needs kittens (blind, paralyzed, cerebellar hypoplasia, etc)

- Adult cats (usually seniors or mom cats after kittens are weaned)

- Senior Dogs of all sizes (we are rarely able to help large breeds because we do not have willing foster homes)

- Special Needs dogs

- Shy Dogs

For foster applicants:

PLEASE READ: It is important that foster applicants understand that Umbrella of Hope is not a shelter, and as such your commitment as a foster volunteer requires that you care for your chosen pet(s) until he/she finds a forever home.

Fostering is at NO COST to you and UOH will provide food, medication, supplies, and veterinary care from Well Pet Vet Clinic in Pittsburg, CA (94565) while the animal(s) is/are being fostered. UOH will also provide essential things to get started (e.g. crate, bowls, food, leash, toys, blanket).

You must also understand that the animals are rescued from shelters most often as strays and as such UOH will only know very basic information about the animal. We CANNOT guarantee that pets are housebroken and expect you to use crates and management to work on this.

All of the animals from UOH are examined by a veterinarian and provided the following treatments: spay or neuter, vaccinations, flea treatment, deworming, microchip, and general health exam where any additional issues are treated and they are also tested for behavior/temperament. Although the pet will come to you fully vetted, you need to be prepared to take him/her to Well Pet Vet Clinic in Pittsburg, CA if any medical situation arises.

Adoption appointments are generally in the East SF Bay Area area, depending on which of UOH’s adoption counselors are available.

Fostering averages around four (4) weeks for young, friendly, healthy pets. If your chosen pet is a senior or has special needs, the commitment could be six to eight (6-8) weeks or more. We DO provide respite fostering or boarding for planned vacations or emergencies. We just ask you to understand that we are ALL volunteers and rely on people honoring their commitments to help us find homes for these animals no matter how long that takes.

To be considered as a foster volunteer, you must:

Be at least 18 years of age

Be able to prove pets are allowed where you live

Complete and submit the application below

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