Become a Foster Home
Tallahassee's population of four-legged "citizens" help enhance our lives and need our help in return.
Tallahassee-Leon Community Animal Service Center is targeting a goal of zero euthanasia of adoptable pets through a number of procedures. One is a foster policy directed at helping the animals (PDF) whose chances of adoption are very slim.
Some shelter animals will fall into the safety net of foster homes where people outside the shelter care for them. These include infant animals, medically-not-adoptable animals and animals for whom time and space at the shelter have come to an end.
Infant animals available for fostering are dogs or cats less than eight weeks old, kittens less than two pounds, and animals from other species that are unable to nourish themselves.
Medically-not-adoptable animals include those that are ill and need skilled medical treatment or prolonged care. They need in-home care until their medical problem is solved.
Sheltering about 10,000 animals a year within 300 kennel spaces means there is a continual rotation of pets. Animals need to be reclaimed by owners or adopted quickly to prepare for more animals coming in to the shelter.
Individuals or animal-care groups interested in applying to become an animal foster parent for TLC Animal Service Center must complete the foster application. Groups are required to be associations with 501 (3) (c) non-profit status. Applications are reviewed by shelter management. Individuals or groups approved to be foster parents will be called about animals that need fostering, and the foster parent will complete an agreement that specifies when the pet will be returned to the shelter for adoption.
If your heart and home are ready for this animal-care project, you can download a foster application from this website (PDF) or visit TLC Animal Service Center to obtain one. The Center is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:30am to 6:00pm, on Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm and on Sunday from 1:00 - 5:00pm. The Center is closed on Mondays. Mailed applications should be returned to: Foster Program, TLC Animal Service Center,1125 Easterwood Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32311.