Share your heart and home with a loving shelter pet! Every year, countless stray, lost, abandoned, and surrendered animals arrive at the shelter, needing a safe place to land while they wait for their forever homes. By opening your heart and home as a foster caregiver, you give an animal comfort, stability, and love.
Gwinnett County
Government
Government
Foster a Pet
Foster Programs
Animals need foster care when they are too young or too small for sterilization and adoption, when they are recovering from an illness or injury, when they are still learning to trust people, or when they are in protective custody. Foster families receive all required supplies, along with any additional donated items, such as toys, bowls, and beds when available. Staff will provide an estimated care window when coordinating placement.
Items provided as needed:
- Food (dry, canned wet, and formula)
- Crate
- Litter
- Puppy pads
- Heating source
- Medication
- Small animal supplies
Paws of Service
Senior and long-term shelter animals are paired with active-duty military or U.S. veterans to provide companionship and emotional support, leading to benefits like reduced loneliness, alleviated depression, and lower blood pressure.
Requirements:
- Applicants must be active-duty military personnel or a retired U.S. veteran
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old
- Applicants must provide a government-issued photo ID
Animals considered:
- Senior animals ages 7 or older
- Long-term shelter animals (more than 30 days)
- Pit Bull-type breeds
- Animals with special needs (i.e., medical or behavioral)
Companion Pet Foster
Senior dogs or cats are paired with Gwinnett County residents ages 50 and older or adults with a physical disability, which helps with increased physical activity, socialization, engagement, and companionship. To determine if an individual is a good match, mobility and any assistance needed for daily tasks will be considered.
Requirements:
- Applicants must be a Gwinnett County resident
- Applicants must be ages 50 and older or an adult with a physical disability
- Applicants must provide a government-issued photo ID
Eligible pets:
- Well-rounded and friendly dogs and cats
- Senior pets ages 7 or older
- Long-term shelter pets (more than 30 days)
- Animals with special needs (i.e., medical or behavioral)
Exceptions:
- Pets under stray-hold are illegible
- Pets with upper respiratory infections and heartworm must receive approval from upper management before placement
Fostering a pet plays a vital role in the care of animals in Gwinnett County, offering a safe and temporary home that helps prepare them for adoption. Our foster program gives pets a better chance to grow, heal, and ultimately find permanent homes.
Here are a few things to consider before you foster a pet:
- Home inspections
- Getting matched
- Cost of fostering
- Time commitment
- Length of stay
Review the Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement Foster Handbook to learn more.
Some animals are determined to need extra care, which include those that are too young or frail to be adopted, injured, or ill. Animal Welfare and Enforcement partners with many local rescue organizations licensed by the state of Georgia Department of Agriculture to place these animals where they will receive special attention they need.
Often, through the hard work of the rescue organizations, these animals can be placed in good homes after they are rehabilitated. Email AnimalRescue@GwinnettCounty.com for more information.