Mayor Kerry Thomson

Page last updated on January 4, 2025 at 2:38 pm

Thank you for your interest in our foster program!

Our foster families are a crucial part of Bloomington Animal Care and Control operations. Foster families open their homes and hearts to animals housed at the shelter, and in doing so enrich their lives and help them along their journey to finding their forever homes. In 2024, 56% of the animals who entered the shelter spent time in foster homes. This has made a huge difference in improving the physical and emotional wellbeing of our animals, and has made it so we are able to help even more animals in the community. The Foster Program is also greatly responsible for helping us keep euthanasia to an absolute minimum. 

Why foster?

  • Provide a temporary home for animals who:

    • Have specialized needs, (e.g. nursing moms, orphaned puppies/kittens, cats with an upper respiratory infection, dogs with kennel cough, cats/dogs with minor injuries, animals with behavioral issues);

    • Animals who need extra socialization or training to help them find their forever homes;

    • Animals who do not show well in a kennel on the adoption floor;

    • All other animals who are awaiting adoption.

  • Allows animals to receive more hands on time and care than we can offer in the shelter;

  • Offers animals the chance to decompress outside of the shelter before going into their forever homes;

  • Experience the joy of animal companionship without the lifetime commitment;

  • Help free up space in the shelter so we can help more animals in the community.

How to Become a Foster Guardian?

Robyn Peffinger, Foster Program Coordinator
Phone: 812-349-3871 Fax: 812-349-3440 E-mail: peffingr@bloomington.in.gov

Again, thank you for your interest in fostering a companion animal. With your help, we can offer these animals the best chance of finding a life-long home.  Foster one of our fabulous animals and help save more than one life!