Become a Foster Parent and Save Lives!

Becoming a foster parent is one of the most personal and impactful ways to help animals.

What Fostering With Pearl River County SPCA Really Looks Like

Thank you for your interest in fostering with the Pearl River County SPCA. Foster homes are a vital part of our lifesaving work, and we believe in being transparent about what fostering truly involves so expectations are clear from the start.

Our Greatest Foster Needs

Foster care is typically reserved for animals who need additional support outside of the shelter environment. Our most common foster needs include:
• Adult dogs and older puppies who have been in the shelter 30+ days
• Underage kittens (usually full litters, occasionally a singleton)
• Underage puppies (typically full litters or groups of 2-3)
• Medical fosters (post-surgery, illness, injury, or special care needs)
• Pregnant mamas and bottle babies 🍼
• Socialize foster

Please note:
We do not typically foster out strays or highly adoptable dogs or cats, as they are often best served remaining available at the shelter. Exceptions are rare and based on immediate need, usually with established fosters.

Foster Commitment & Requirements
• Minimum foster commitment: Typically 2 weeks
• Typical foster duration: 2–8 weeks depending on the animal’s needs
• Location requirement: Foster volunteers must live within one hour of Picayune, MS to allow for follow-ups, meet-and-greets, and events
• Age requirement: Foster volunteers must be 21 years or older

Occasionally, we also need short-term fosters—such as during extreme weather. When these needs arise, we will post a call-out on our Facebook page with details on how you can help.

What We Provide
• Food
• Supplies
• Medications
• Guidance

You provide the safe environment, patience, and care needed to help an animal succeed outside the shelter.

Expectations for Fostering a Dog Available for Adoption

When fostering an adoptable animal, it is important to understand that the animal remains available for adoption at all times while in foster. Fostering is a partnership focused on helping dogs find permanent homes as quickly as possible.

Foster caregivers for adoptable dogs are expected to:
• Actively promote their foster dog on social media
• Be available for meet-and-greets with potential adopters
• Bring the foster dog to the shelter when requested for evaluations, photos, or adoption interest
• Attend PetSmart adoption events on select Saturdays, when able

These efforts are essential to increasing visibility and securing successful adoptions. The shelter team will provide support and guidance, but foster participation plays a key role in each dog’s outcome.

Why Fostering Matters

Fostering saves lives. It allows us to help animals who are too young, too stressed, or too medically fragile to remain in a shelter setting. Without foster homes, many of these animals would not have the opportunity they deserve.

Fostering also gives us invaluable insight into our long-term residents—how they do in a real home, their personalities, routines, and what they truly need to thrive. It gives them a chance to experience life outside the shelter through outings, new environments, and extra socialization, while helping them be seen by more people through social media.

Every foster home opens a door: for healing, for learning, and for a better chance at a forever family.

Ready to Foster?

If fostering sounds like a good fit for you, please complete our foster form. Applicants will receive a questionnaire followed by a phone call from our Volunteer Coordinator.

For long-term adult dogs, fostering can be as simple as stopping by the shelter during business hours to inquire and see who could benefit from a much-needed break from the shelter. 🐾

Thank you for considering being part of the solution for the animals of Pearl River County.