Fostering

We occasionally need foster families to care for animals in special circumstances.  We are looking for some serious foster families with animal experience - ill or post-surgical care, neo-natal kitten care, hospice or end-of-life care - who are available to host animals in their homes for up to several months. 

If you are interested in fostering, please be aware that you will most likely be housing an animal with little or no training or socialization - we rely on our foster families to help teach some much-needed manners in a loving and nurturing environment!  Please be thoughtful in your decision to foster:  when necessary, ROAS will sponsor medical care and provide equipment specific to your foster.  ROAS and the City of Royal Oak are not responsible for any damages that may occur while the animal is in your possession.

Approved foster families do not need to reapply to foster and may choose to accept or decline any potential fosters that become available.  Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to return the animal for any reason before they are available for adoption as there may be a delay before we are able to free up space.  We will do our best to get them back from you as quickly as possible.  

How It Works

If you have experience and are interested in being an ROAS foster family, the first step is to email roas@romi.gov and request a Foster Application.  Next, fill out the application and return it to the Shelter.  Once your application has been processed and you've been approved, we'll store your information until we have an animal in need of your care.  If contacted, the choice to foster the animal available is yours to make.  All arrangements will be made - and necessary/specialized supplies provided - once you have agreed to foster.

Because our ultimate goal is to find these pets forever homes, foster families must be available to either bring their fosters to ROAS at agreed-upon times or allow potential adopters to visit the animal at their home.  If everything goes well and the family is approved, we will arrange to have the adoption completed at ROAS. 

What if you fall in love and can't stand to part with your current foster?  Let us know ASAP so we can walk you through the steps to make your foster a permanent part of your family!

So, what do you think? Sound like fun?  Fill out our foster form and join our foster crew today!