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In-Home Heroes is the Michigan Humane Society’s short-term, in-home care program which saves lives by helping animals who need a little extra time and TLC prior to adoption. Animals may be placed in foster homes for a variety of reasons: illness, injury, they are too young for adoption, etc. We supply the resources - you supply the love!
Highlights
- Short-term
- Food and supplies provided
- Help animals in your home, as your schedule allows
- Program includes training and support
- You choose which animals you can help
Better by Design
Often referred to as animal fostering, MHS’ progressive program is designed with a convenient, short-term, structured focus, providing the maximum value to the animals - and their temporary caretakers. The In-Home Heroes program will help match you with suitable animals according to your interests and availability.
Fostering may be for you if you can answer Yes to two or more of the following questions:
- Do you love animals?
- Have extra space in your home and extra time in your schedule?
- Do you have prior pet care experience?
- Are you in-between pets or thinking of adopting in the future?
- Are you a "snowbird" who can only have pets a few months out of the year?
- A frequent traveler who can't commit to long term pet ownership?
Are you interested in opening your home and heart by becoming an in-home hero? Fill out a Volunteer Application today!
For more information, contact Natalie by phone at (248) 283-1000 ext. 138 or by email at njohnson@michiganhumane.org. The animals - and we - will be forever grateful for every happy ending you help us create.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is fostering necessary?
Some animals need a little more time and TLC prior to adoption. Other times MHS could be short on space to house adoptable animals. - Who incurs the cost of food, veterinary care and other supplies?
MHS will provide food, toys, crates and carriers, and other supplies. Foster pet medical care is provided through MHS’ veterinary centers at no cost to our in-home heroes. - Are foster pets the problematic animals no one wants?
On the contrary, the majority of MHS foster pets are highly adoptable, but just need more time and TLC before they can be adopted. - How long is an animal’s average stay?
This depends on the type of animal(s) you choose to foster, and the reason for fostering. The average stay for a foster dog or a litter of puppies is approximately 2-3 weeks, but at times can run longer. While cats and kittens usually require less care on a daily basis than do dogs and puppies, the average stay can range from 2-3 weeks to 2 months, especially for adult cats during the summer months. - Do I have any choice in the types of animals I want to foster?
Yes! This program allows a lot of choice and flexibility, which makes it a great fit for most everyone’s ability and interests. - What if I can’t foster at certain times?
In-home heroes are encouraged to foster when it is convenient for them. You can schedule fostering around your busy lifestyle. - How do I know if this program is right for me?
To help ensure the program is fun, safe and rewarding, MHS provides in-depth training and plenty of support. In-home heroes are a valuable part of the MHS team! - Are “in-home heroes” encouraged to adopt the animals?
Actually, no. Though adoption is permitted, caring, well-trained foster homes are critical to MHS’ efforts to change today’s animals in need into tomorrow’s best friends. We encourage in-home heroes to keep fostering as long as they are able. With frequent breaks, of course! |
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Foster Story
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"It's extremely rewarding to see your foster animals get adopted after you have nurtured them back to health. I love helping the Michigan Humane Society make these happy endings possible."
- MHS foster volunteer
| Five week-old kitten Lola knew how to enjoy life, spending her days playing, napping and charming the Michigan Humane Society staff with her big green eyes and sweet, affectionate nature. In one week, she would be old enough to find a loving home. That is, until she and her siblings, Lily and Larry, began sneezing. Then, the three kittens needed a foster home and some extra TLC while they recovered from an upper respiratory infection.
After a few phone calls, Jamahl Scott, the Volunteer Services Team Leader at our Detroit Center for Animal Care, located an available MHS foster family to care for the kittens. The family would house the kittens away from healthy adoptable animals and give them medicine twice a day, while also continuing their socialization.
Three weeks later, once Lola, Lily and Larry were healthy and returned to the Detroit Adoption Center, they were adopted the same day - by three housemates who are now enjoying their trio of fun-loving feline companions.
The MHS has many dedicated foster families who provide shelter and loving care for animals needing a little more socialization or who are sick, injured or too young to immediately be placed up for adoption. If you can find the extra love in your heart, a little more space in your home and time in your schedule, please consider joining this important program.
Are you interested in opening your home and heart by becoming an in-home hero? Fill out a Volunteer Application today!
For more information, contact Natalie by phone at (248) 283-1000 ext. 138 or by email at njohnson@michiganhumane.org. The animals - and we - will be forever grateful for every happy ending you help us create. |
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