Foster Parent Hub
Thank you for fostering a pet from Orange County Animal Services (OCAS). By fostering, you are not only giving us the opportunity to help other pets in the community who need it, but you are also helping a pet get out of the stressful shelter environment while waiting for their new home! Below, you can find resources that will help you become a better foster parent.
Promoting your foster pet is essential for finding them a permanent home. Once the pet is ready for meet and greets, you can use several methods to help them get adopted:
- Fill Out a Pet Report Card. A pet report card is a great way to showcase your foster pet on social media and update their online profile. Use the report card to share information, photos, and videos that highlight their unique personality. You can submit the pet report card through this online form.
- Attend Adoption Events. We host and attend various adoption events throughout the county all year. These events are excellent opportunities to bring your foster dog out for visibility and a potential adoption.
- Bring the Pet to the Shelter. For some pets, especially cats and kittens, spending time at the shelter can increase their visibility. If you want your foster pet to have more exposure, please reach out to us. We can schedule a day or several days for them to stay at our adoption center and try their luck at getting adopted.
To keep things running smoothly, all non-emergency foster medical visits must be scheduled through our online Foster Medical & Vaccines Booking Link. Please choose the next available appointment day unless you’re dealing with a true emergency.
What Counts as an Emergency
If your foster pet is experiencing any of the following, they need to be seen as soon as possible:
Excessive bleeding
A kitten who is lethargic, non-responsive, or showing signs of fading
Shortness of breath or choking
Excessive vomiting (3+ times in 8 hours or continuous retching)
Notable seizures
Ingestion of a foreign object or toxin
Sudden paralysis
Body temperature below 98°F or above 104°F
Trauma (e.g., hit by a car, trapped in something, etc.)
A mother cat actively pushing for 30 minutes without producing a kitten
If you’re seeing any of these, contact us right away by calling 919-864-0945. This is our emergency foster phone number. Please do NOT call or text this number if it it not an emergency.
If It’s Not an Emergency
Please schedule through the online Bookings link for the next available day. If you’re having trouble using the system and absolutely cannot schedule it yourself, we can help - just know the appointment will be at least 12 hours out, not same-day. If you need assistance, please send an email to foster@orangecountync.gov.
Foster Medical & Vaccine Scheduling Link
Use the link below to schedule all standard foster medical and vaccine appointments:
Meet and greets are a crucial part of helping pets find homes, and we know not everyone is excited about hosting visitors at home.
Fosters may choose to host meet and greets:
In their homes
At OCAS (just give us a heads-up so we can reserve a space)
Or, for dogs, at a public place of your choosing
If there’s any chance the pet will be transferred to the adopter during that meet and greet, please let us know at least one full business day ahead so we can prepare their file and paperwork.
Adoption Policy
Foster parents (and their friends or family members) follow the same adoption rules as everyone else. Pets are adopted on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you want to adopt your foster pet, please tell Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) immediately. Please inform OCAS before talking to other potential adopters. This allows staff to update the pet's status and inform others that the pet has been adopted.
Foster parents cannot turn down an adopter. You can share insights and recommendations, but you do not decide who adopts the pet. If you have a serious concern, email foster@orangecountync.gov. Staff will review the situation, but most adoptions will likely move forward. OCAS does not use applications or background checks. We use open conversation and education to help new owners succeed.