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Fostering for Buffalo Humane . . .

Ready to start saving lives?

To fill out a foster application, go to our online forms. or you can email us at . You can also call our message service at (716)862-9183.

Want to know more first?

Have you ever heard the saying: "Give a man fish he eats for a day, Teach a man to fish they eat for life". Okay, so we're not teaching anyone to fish, but the theory is similar. If you adopt one dog, you are giving that one dog a permanent home. But if you can foster a dog, preparing it for life in a home, you are allowing that many more dogs to be placed in permanent homes.

Need a Reason?

Maybe you would love to have a dog, but don't have the long-term commitment capability; or you are only available for a few weeks out of the year; or you want to help out, but can't do it on a regular basis.

How is it really helping the animal, won't they feel bounced around?

While many people can't let go, others are reluctant to foster in the first place, thinking that it is somehow unfair to take in a dog, establish a bond, and then allow the animal to be adopted out into another home. Isn't that a second abandonment?

Taking a stray or frightened animal and showing them that people can be kind, that food is available and that there is a warm place to sleep, creates a marvelous bridge to a new home. Those of us who provide foster space know that there is never a shortage of animals that need this preparation time before finding their own people.

Do I have the skills?

Buffalo Humane Representatives will conduct an at-home visit and explain the process. Animals in foster care range in needs, so foster placements are based on your lifestyle, your household dynamic and your expertise. Teaching a dog basic obedience and manners will help the dog get and keep a permanent home. I t is also beneficial for a foster household to learn about dog health issues and behavior. Then you will know what is serious and what can wait until morning. We will be holding behavior seminars on an ongoing basis to allow our foster homes to learn more about canine or feline body language, training techniques and behavior.

Can I afford it?

We will provide supplies, food, instructions and vet care. Foster parents willing to provide supplies and food themselves, will be helping the program out immensely. We suggest you retain your receipts for your taxes at years end (Charitable Contributions / Donations).

Can I say good-bye?

This is the big one. Giving up an animal you've fostered, even to a wonderful new home, can be emotionally difficult. But it gets easier over time, especially when you get used to having a flow of animals.

We've found our foster homes have less difficulty with this as they are completely involved in the adoption process. Seeing your foster animal drive off into the sunset with his or her new family will help you remember that they've found a lovely new home and that you now have space for another dog in need.

A lot of foster families keep photos and updates of dogs they've fostered - enjoying their new homes - so that the whole family can rejoice in the success of a permanent adoption. It helps to remind them of their achievements.

What we expect from every foster parent:

• Fill out an application
• Allow an at-home visit by a Buffalo Humane representative
• Internet & email access - since we are a "virtual shelter" all our adoptions and correspondence is online
• Provide transportation for needed vet visits
• Socialization
• A lot of TLC

What you can expect from us:

• Supplies for each animal you foster (cage, food, toys). Foster parents willing to provide these supplies themselves will be helping the program out immensely. We suggest you retain your receipts for your taxes at years end (Charitable Contributions / Donations)
• Medical care (we will arrange for check-ups, shots and spaying/neutering)
• Assistance with any training &/or behavior issues that you may not be sure of
• In certain cases extra training will be needed for dogs with Special Needs (Separation Anxiety)
To fill out a foster application, go to our online forms. or you can email us at . You can also call our message service at (716)862-9183.