Save a animal though fostering and

enjoy life through your foster!

My husband and I decided in the fall on 2008 to be foster parents. My daughter was the culprit (already a foster) and convinced us to give it a try...... After dozens of babies, some needing special attention.....all unique and special.

I was involved with OFOSA the first year thinking ...How much I am doing for these animals who have no other option. Now it has changed to how much it helps me...... After a long day at work I have several little faces looking at me saying "How was your day?
Want to play?" You know it is always said giving always gives back....it is absolutely amazing that your day to day activities for someone else make such a difference.

My picture is of Kade and me after his first bath.....he took it quite well. His Mommy now update me with pictures and funny stories......
Life is short live it well.

Start making a difference by clicking here.

In a moment, You can change lives

It takes but a moment for a cat to go from living in a home to living on the streets. Who knows how long Nala had been on her own by the time she was rescued? When Nala came to our house with her 5 kittens we put her in her own room. We closed the door and I had my young daughter stand against the wall behind the carrier when I opened it. Have you ever heard the phrase "climbing the walls"? Well, let me tell you...! With no place to go vertically, Nala finally settled into her prepared nest where we carefully placed her babies.

We went from feeding her tidbits with a long spoon, to gently petting the top of this frightened mama's head. Nala and my daughter became fast friends and she even came to like the dog (as long as he didn't come into the "nursery")!

Through adoption, Nala now has wonderful new people in her life. Although this is not a typical foster story, for our family, it was one of our most memorable!

Open Your Home: Save a Life

SAMPSON GETS A NEW HOME!!!!!!

Sampson the Newfoundland came to us and his foster Barbara last April. He was thin in poor health as you can see by the left hand photo above. The vet named him Bella because he was reported as female. He came from a hoarding situation in Columbia county.

Barbara took him home fed, loved and nursed him back to health. He has grade 3 hip dysphasia but that isn't bothering him now. Lisa his adopter, saw his picture and loved him.

Yesterday she completed the paperwork to give him a forever home. Her uncle is a vet and she even has a wheelchair should that become necessary later. Sampson who has had a traumatic life before OFOSA will have a kings palace forever. This is the perfect resolution for such a regal dog! Thanks to Barbara's wonderful care and Lisa wonderful heart.

Fostering is the Joy of Unselfish Love...

OFOSA began by helping shelters with donations and veterinary care; then shelters made it clear that they needed OFOSA to rescue adoptable dogs and cats so that the staff wouldn’t have to euthanize them. With no building in which to house the animals, OFOSA volunteers opened their homes to these wayward dogs and cats and the Foster Care Network was born.

You have a chance to join the effort!

By opening your heart and home to a shelter animal, you prevent needless euthanasia due to a lack of space in shelters. There is no special training needed. You simply need a desire to care for the dog or cat, the willingness to meet the animal’s needs, the ability to provide a safe, healthy, clean, and nurturing environment and a landlord that will allow you to foster!

The overall mission of the OFOSA Foster Care Network is to give animals individualized care and socialization to ensure their adoptability and give them additional time to locate their “forever home.”

A Foster Animal’s Length of Stay Varies

OFOSA will work with your unique situation and schedule. Foster animals can stay in homes from a few hours to a few months; it all depends on the demand for that particular pet, as well as on any special medical needs the animal may have.

Typical Foster Homes Stays

Dogs: ~ 2 - 3 weeks

Puppies: ~ 1 - 2 week

Cats: ~ 3 months

Kittens: ~ 2 weeks

Emergency Fosters

“Emergency” Foster Parents foster for typically two nights at most. Emergency Foster Parents help OFOSA when all of our regular foster homes are full and a shelter tells us “if you can’t take this animal today, we’re going to have to put it down.” Usually, a day or two is all OFOSA needs to find a regular foster home for the animal.

You Work, So Do Those That Adopt

Some people feel their families cannot foster dogs or cats because both adults in the household work. That same situation exists in the homes of most adopters, so fostering an animal and teaching him/her that a family does come home after an 8-hour work day actually benefits the animal making it more adoptable.

OFOSA will provide you with a crate, cat condo, or other tools to keep the animal safe during your work day.

A Word From Our Foster Network…

“The thing I find most interesting about being a Foster Parent is the period in which each animal has to find its place in our home, mixing with the other human and canine/feline personalities. Most of the time, my own dog enjoys the company of the foster animals.

"The thing I like best about fostering is that each animal has their own, unique personality! Each has added to our home with fond memories of laughter, smiles, and snuggles. Many of their new moms and dads still write to us, sharing photos of their progress and reminding us that we, by fostering their new beloved pet, touched their lives as well.

"It is a sometimes demanding and always a wonderful experience. And if you really love animals, once you foster for Oregon Friends of Shelter Animals, you will be hooked!”

- Sara Parnell

“Fostering is a challenging, yet rewarding experience. There is a special feeling you get when you find the perfect match between the animal and their lifelong owners. The feeling is overwhelming. It’s hard to put into words.”

- Micki Walker

Back to the Top