Broome County Humane Society Foster Program 

Foster With Broome County Humane Society

Open Your Home. Save a Life.

Fostering is a vital part of the Broome County Humane Society (BCHS) mission. By opening your home to an animal in need, you provide temporary care, comfort, and stability while helping us save more lives in our community.

Our foster program is designed to support both animals and foster caregivers every step of the way, ensuring a positive, safe, and rewarding experience for everyone involved.

What Is Fostering?

Fostering means temporarily caring for a BCHS animal in your home until they are ready for adoption or return to the shelter. Foster homes help animals who:

• Are too young to stay in the shelter
• Need a quiet space to recover from illness or surgery
• Benefit from time outside the shelter to reduce stress
• Need extra socialization or behavioral support

Animals in foster care remain the responsibility of BCHS — you are caring for them, not adopting them (unless you choose to apply later!).

How Our Foster Program Works

1. Apply & Get Approved

• Interested caregivers complete a Foster Application through our website.
• Applications are reviewed by our Foster Program team using established criteria, including animal experience, home environment, and availability.
• Some applications may include reference checks or a home visit.
• Once approved, caregivers are entered into our shelter system and can be matched with animals in need.

2. Foster Agreements

• All foster caregivers must sign a Foster Care Agreement before taking an animal home.
• Agreements are renewed every two years to ensure everyone understands current policies and expectations.
• BCHS does not approve foster caregivers with a history of animal cruelty or related violations.

3. Matching Animals to Foster Homes

Our Foster Coordinators carefully matches animals to foster homes based on:

• The animal’s age, species, medical or behavioral needs
• The caregiver’s experience, preferences, and availability

At placement, caregivers receive the animal’s current medical information and care instructions.

Support While You Foster

You are never on your own when you foster with BCHS.

BCHS Provides:

• Guidance, training, and clear care instructions
• Medical care and scheduling
• Supplies when needed (food, medication, etc.)
• Ongoing communication and support

Ongoing Check-Ins:

• Foster families are contacted regularly, typically weekly or as needed
• We encourage updates, photos, and questions
• Medical or behavioral concerns should be reported to BCHS staff right away

All veterinary decisions are coordinated through BCHS to ensure consistent, high-quality care.

Medical Care & Appointments

• BCHS schedules all veterinary care, vaccinations, and check-ups at BCHS.
• Foster families are notified in advance of appointments and return dates whenever possible.
• Clear instructions are provided for transport and follow-up care.

If an animal becomes ill or injured while in foster care, BCHS medical staff will guide you through the next steps.

Your Responsibilities as a Foster Caregiver

Foster caregivers play a crucial role in each animal’s well-being. Responsibilities include:

• Providing a safe, clean, and loving home
• Following BCHS care and disease-prevention guidelines
• Monitoring the animal’s health and behavior
• Communicating concerns promptly
• Transporting animals safely to scheduled appointments when needed

Animals in foster care remain BCHS animals and must follow all shelter policies.

Safety, Monitoring & Accountability

• BCHS maintains records for every foster placement and checks in regularly.
• Foster homes may be reviewed or audited to ensure animal welfare.
• If concerns arise, BCHS may provide additional support, training, or remove an animal if necessary to ensure safety.

Our goal is always to support fosters while prioritizing animal welfare.

Why Foster?

Fostering saves lives. Every animal placed in a foster home frees space at the shelter for another animal in need and provides individualized care that helps animals thrive.

Whether you foster for a few days, a few weeks, or longer, you make a direct and meaningful impact.

Ready to Get Started?

Visit www.bchumanesoc.com to complete a Foster Application or learn more about fostering opportunities.

Have questions? Our Foster Program team is happy to help you find the right fit.

Broome County Humane Society
167 Conklin Avenue, Binghamton, NY 13903
📞 607-724-3709

Together, we can give animals the second chance they deserve.

Foster Program Eligibility Disclaimer

Broome County Humane Society places animals into foster care based on individual need and available resources. Not all animals are eligible for foster placement. Animals selected for foster care may require specialized attention due to age, medical needs, behavioral considerations, or shelter capacity constraints. Placement decisions are made solely at the discretion of BCHS to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of both the animals and foster caregivers.

Approval as a foster caregiver does not guarantee immediate or ongoing placement, and foster opportunities may vary based on current shelter needs.

Please send in your application to manager@bchumanesoc.com!