Foster Care
Open your home. Change a life.
Not every animal is ready to find their forever home right away or is able to thrive in a shelter environment. Some need a little extra time, care, and love before they're ready for their next chapter. That's where our foster families come in!
The Rhode Island SPCA Foster Care Program provides temporary homes for animals who need extra support, from growing puppies and kittens to animals recovering from illness or injury. By opening your home to a foster animal, you're giving them the opportunity to grow, heal, and thrive outside of the shelter, while also giving us a little more information that can greatly help us to find them their perfect home!
Who Needs a Foster Home?
Foster opportunities vary throughout the year, but animals who may benefit from foster care include:
Young puppies and kittens: Babies who are too young or too small to be available for adoption.
Pregnant or nursing animals: Moms who need a safe, comfortable place to give birth and raise their babies.
Animals recovering from illness or injury: Pets who need a little extra care while they heal.
Adult animals: Dogs, cats, and small animals who would benefit from a break from the shelter or a temporary home while awaiting adoption.
Anchored Paws participants: Animals in our hardship boarding program who need temporary placement.
Foster placements can range from a few weeks to longer-term stays, depending on each animal's needs.
Ready to get started?
You don't need to have previous fostering experience to become a foster with the Rhode Island SPCA. Whether you can open your home to a tiny kitten, a recovering pup, or an adult animal in need of a change of scenery, you are making a HUGE difference! Click on the buttons below to apply to become a foster!
Questions? Email our Volunteer & Foster Manager at brittany.diprete@rispca.org
Support Our Foster Care Program
It takes a community to care for the animals who need us most! From bottles and formula to bedding and everyday supplies, we rely on donations to keep our foster homes and their temporary guests happy, healthy, and comfortable.
There are two ways you can help:
Shop our Foster Care Amazon Wish List to donate much-needed supplies.
Make a donation to RISPCA to support foster care and our other community programs.
Every gift helps us give more animals the care and second chances they deserve. Thank you for being part of our foster care village!