Fostering For A Better Future

Foster programs provide a second chance for animals whose needs can’t be met at our adoption center. At SPCA-NN, we take pride in offering unique ways for the community to engage with our foster program. Typically, foster programs emphasize in-home opportunities that enhance our ability to save lives. While our primary focus remains on placing unweaned or sick animals in caring foster homes until they’re ready for adoption, we also have on-site opportunities at our adoption center to address additional needs within our foster program. Register now and discover how you can make a difference!

Email the foster team at foster@spcanevada.org to learn more.

Open your heart and home

Ready for one of the most rewarding experiences of your life?

As a foster volunteer, you may provide care and shelter to kittens, nursing cats or dogs, and pets with special medical or behavioral needs until they are ready to move on to the next phase of finding a loving home!

What types of homeless pets need fostering and why?


  • Pregnant and nursing moms with babies
  • Kittens (sometimes puppies)
  • Recovering pets (cats or dogs that are healing from surgery or treatment)
  • Shy/anxious pets (those that struggle in the shelter setting and would do better in a home)

Ready to get involved? Here’s how!  

Becoming a foster parent is fast, easy and a lot of FUN! Here’s what you need to do:

 1.) Fill out our Foster Application 

This information helps us place appropriate foster animals in your care that you are passionate about. 

2.) Fill out our Volunteer Profile 

Our volunteer portal enables us to track the number of hours donated by our community for each volunteer opportunity. This information is crucial for identifying the most popular opportunities among our community, guiding us in making data-informed decisions to enhance and expand our program. Your profile will be used for future steps and upcoming volunteer opportunities.

3.) Sign up for the next Foster Orientation 

Through our volunteer portal, Cervis, you can access monthly scheduled foster orientations. These sessions take place onsite at our Adoption Center and cover essential information to kickstart your fostering journey. During these sessions, you’ll also get insights into our specialized fostering opportunities, such as neonatal care, ringworm cases, or caring for adult dogs. If attending our in-person orientation is not feasible for you, please reach out to our team at foster@spcanevada.org for alternative arrangements. Please note that some training requires in-person participation and cannot be completed remotely.

Don’t worry, we will provide you with all the equipment and knowledge you need to help your foster pets thrive! You’ll be a pro before you know it. Not to mention a literal life-saver.

Apply to be a fosterApply to be a volunteer

Fostering 101

FAQ’s

Can Anyone Foster?  

Foster volunteers must be at least 18 years old and disclose all household members, both human and animal. Your personal pets must be up to date on vaccines and spayed/neutered before taking a foster animal home. Additionally, you must be able to provide a separate space in your home not shared with other pets or people. Ideal spaces include spare bedrooms or bathrooms. If animals in your chosen areas of interest may not fit your household or lifestyle, our Foster Coordinator will assist in finding the best placements.

What Supplies Does SPCA-NN Provide? 

SPCA-NN provides all necessary nutritional needs; supplies are based on the animals’ age or specific dietary requirements. We also offer food and water bowls, linens, and litter-related supplies. While we appreciate any contributions to supplies from foster caregivers, we aim to prevent supplies from becoming a barrier to fostering.  

Who Handles Their Medical Care?  

All medical care, including vaccines, deworming, and spaying/neutering, is provided by SPCA-NN. Only SPCA-NN is authorized to provide medical care or approve outsourced medical treatments for foster animals. We prioritize the emotional, mental, and physical health of animals when making medical decisions. Please note that medical decisions may sometimes differ from personal preferences. Our knowledgeable Pawspital team and Foster Coordinator collaborate to identify the best outcomes for foster animals.

 What Animals Need Foster Care?  

We primarily require foster homes for mother cats with kittens or orphaned kittens of various ages. This includes bottle-fed kittens needing care every 2-4 hours, kittens requiring socialization, sick kittens needing extra TLC, or underweight 2-month-old kittens requiring help to gain weight. Although we occasionally place puppies in foster homes, there may be seasons when we don’t need foster families for puppies. Special cases may involve animals requiring medical support or those struggling in a kennel environment, benefiting from a foster home instead.

Have a question that was not answered on this page?  

Reach out to Foster@spcanevada.org for help.  

Or call us at 775-324-7773 Ext 233