Runt Rescue

Since the creation of our "Runt Rescue" foster program in June of 2002 we have placed more than 660 animals in foster homes.  We are always in need of more foster homes for our countypets in need.

Why Do We Foster?

Foster Process

Frequently Asked Questions

Volunteer Application

Email Us

Why Do We Foster?

Runt Rescue is an animal foster program created by HCPHES Veterinary Public Health.  The program was designed to help adoptable animals with minor problems brought into the shelter have a chance for survival.  These animals may have various problems such as: Orphaned puppies/kittens that may need bottle-feeding,  mother animals  with a new litter, skin conditions like mange, ringworm, or open lesions which need minor treatment, unsocialized (skittish or shy), undernourished, or upper respiratory infections.

As a Runt Rescue Team Member your job will be to care for the animal assigned to you.  This job may take a few days, a week, or several weeks.  You will have the choice of which kinds of animals and which medical/social problems you wish to handle.  In this time you will be asked to nurture and socialize the animal.  Medications may be required.  With your help our goal is to rehabilitate these animals and find them loving forever homes. 

Back to Top

Foster Process

Once you decide to become a HCPHES Veterinary Public Health foster parent, you will need to fill out a more extensive application form.  This is the information we will use to determine how to match you with potential foster animals.  Once we have your information entered into our database, we will call you when a foster candidate for your home is available.  Please be aware that time is an essential element for these animals.  Undernourished, ill, and frightened animals need to find a stable home and care as soon as possible.  A time for pick up will be prepared by us for you to retrieve your foster animal.  We will send home an information packet including a print out of the animals picture and kennel card information, a medical diagnosis and treatment sheet, and any other information that might be helpful while caring for the animal. 

When the animals are returned to the shelter we ask that the foster homes fill out an animal profile form.  These forms document the animals personality, likes and dislikes, and overall progress.  The animal profile will greatly aid the animal in finding a permanent home, because prospective adopters often want as much information as possible about their pets.  If medication is needed it will be given to you at the time of pick up.  These medications are purchased with money donated to our "Runt Rescue" Medical Fund.  An estimated date of return will be scheduled when you pick up your foster animal, however the actual return date will depend on the condition of the animal.   We will stay in contact with you throughout the foster process and ask that our foster homes keep us updated on their animals progress.  Foster animals are returned to our shelter when they are ready for their spay/neuter surgery and adoption into a permanent home.  Foster homes are given first choice when selecting a home for their foster animals. 

For more information on our upcoming events please call (281) 999-3191.

Back to Top

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are foster homes needed?

Would I Make a Good Foster Home?

Why Does an Animal Need Fostering?

Who's Responsible for Expenses?

What is done in medical emergencies or death of a foster animal?

How long will I keep a Foster Animal?

How can I make my Foster Animal more Adoptable?

Why are foster homes needed?

Foster homes are needed to provide animals with the essential care they need until they are adoptable. Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to give these animals the necessary treatment and training to turn them into pets. This is why we are in need of assistance from the public. With community involvement in programs like the “Runt Rescue” Team we can raise the adoption numbers and give these deserving pets a chance for survival. Foster Homes Will:

• Increase the number of animals adopted
• Decrease the numbers of animals euthanized
• Provide more space for healthy animals to be held for adoption
• Give more animals a chance to become adoptable
• Improve the quality of life for sick animals that are treatable
• Allow us to provide more information to the adopter on the animal's likes and dislikes. behavior, habits, or how it interacts with adults, children, and other animals
• Allow unsocialized animals to interact with people
• Allow time to break "bad habits" and avoid returned adoptions
  Increase public exposure of our adoption program

Back to FAQ's

Would I Make a Good Foster Home?

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

Do I have the time to spend with a new family member?
You don't need to be home all day to be a foster home, but if your job keeps you away for ten or more hours a day, then consider an adult cat rather than a dog. Cats need time and attention, but usually don't require as much training.

Do I have the skills to teach basic obedience and deal with health issues?
The animals that need foster care the most are those that need some training. Learning basic obedience will help your foster animal get a permanent home. Also, learning about dog and cat health issues is important for foster households. You need to know what is serious and what can wait until morning.

Can I afford food and necessary medical care?

HCPHES Veterinary Public Health will attempt to obtain donated medical supplies. The brunt of the cost, however, will be borne by the foster parent. We will provide you with a rough idea of the types of medications that might be needed and provide you with a list of veterinarians throughout the county that are willing to offer discounted rates on products and services for foster families.

Can I say good-bye when my foster animal moves to a permanent home?

Giving up an animal you've fostered, even to a wonderful new home, can be difficult emotionally. But it gets easier over time, especially when you get used to having a flow of animals. It may help you to remember that your foster animal found a loving home because of your caring and effort. Additionally, you now have a space in your home for another creature in need. A lot of foster families keep before/after photos of their foster animals. It's wonderful to look back on and realize how many lives you have saved.

Back to FAQ's

Why Does an Animal Need Fostering?

HCPHES Veterinary Public Health receives many animals each year that cannot be placed for adoption because of illness, low weight, age, or other minor problems.

• Too young-- Recently weaned puppies or kittens will need to be fostered 3-4 weeks.

• Female with a litter-- 3 weeks or older will need to be fostered for approximately 4 weeks until the juveniles are all eating solid food.

• Malnourished Animals-- These animals need high quality pet food and lots of tender loving care. They will require about 2 weeks of fostering.

• Socialization-- Animals that need socialization should go to foster homes with previous experience working with animals. They will require about 2 weeks fostering.

• Lack of kennel space-- This animal is usually healthy and would need to stay in a foster home for no more than a week.

• Minor infectious disease-- When fostering an animal with an infectious disease it is always best that you not have pets of the same species in your home. Be aware that there are possible complications and proper medical attention is needed when fostering animals with infectious diseases.

Examples of treatable infectious diseases:
The most common infectious disease is coccidia, which may need fostering for up to 4 weeks. Ringworm requires 4-6 weeks. Upper respiratory infections require 7 days of treatment but will need to be kept in a foster home for an additional 2-3 weeks.

Then length of time an animal with mange needs to be fostered will depend on the type pf mange, the severity of the infestation, and the presence of the bacterial infection. Sarcoptic mage is contagious to other animals but responds well to treatments. Demodex is less contagious but more difficult to treat. Foster times can range from 4-12 weeks.

The two most important attributes a foster caregiver possesses are common sense and the ability to care. With accurate instructions and guidance we hope this will be a joyous and rewarding endeavor. Your dedication as a foster caregiver gives fostered animals a second chance to celebrate life.

Back to FAQ's

Who's Responsible for Expenses?

HCPHES Veterinary Public Health is able to provide medications for our foster animals thanks to generous donations made to the "Runt Rescue" Medical Fund. These funds are used to purchase medications that are commonly used to treat our foster animals. Be aware that any emergency trips to the veterinarian, toys, food, grooming supplies. etc, are the responsibility of the foster family.

Back to FAQ's

What is done in medical emergencies or death of a foster animal?

During a medical emergency, it is the responsibility of the foster parent to seek veterinary care and pay for the incurred expenses. If you cannot afford to do this, you need to contact us immediately so we can decide the disposition of the animal. If a medical emergency arises that the foster parent cannot afford it is up to them to either make the animal as comfortable as possible until it can be returned to our shelter or seek humane euthanasia through a veterinarian. In case of death (natural or humane), contact us as soon as possible.

Back to FAQ's

How long will I keep a Foster Animal?

Some foster animals will need no more than a week to become adoptable, while others in need of medical treatment, weaning, or intensive socialization will need several weeks. We will seek to place animals that need no more than 3 weeks of fostering. We will discuss with you the length of time we expect the animal to be fostered during the initial call we place to you.

Back to FAQ's

How can I make my Foster Animal more Adoptable?

Any animal with a history and name immediately becomes more adoptable. This is why input from our foster parents is so important. We will make available to potential adopters all the information you give us about your foster animal. Another thing you can do to make your foster more adoptable is to teach it simple tricks. A dog that will sit for a biscuit or shake paws with a human has a higher chance of being picked for adoption than another. A good bath and neatly trimmed nails are also an important aspect of adoptability, trimmed nails on a cat are especially important. Cats that will play with toys are desirable; some cats are so neglected that they've never learned to play.