HOSPITAL FOSTER PROGRAM
Supporting Our Hospital Patients and Their Beloved Pets
What will your pet do if you are unexpectedly hospitalized for a month or more? What if your family moves to be closer to the hospital – and you – but the emergency housing is not pet-friendly? Across the country, every day, pet-lovers and animal caregivers are hospitalized, but their animals still need daily food, water, and love. Without a close family member or trusted friend who can care for their pet until the owner recovers, hospitalized pet owners are forced to surrender their beloved companion animal to a shelter and never see them again. The probability of being reunited again is extremely low, as pets are either re-homed or euthanized due to overcrowding in animal shelters. Even today, over one third of animals who enter a shelter are euthanized – and the total loss of a beloved pet because of a temporary illness can be devastating.
Most pet owners consider their pet a member of the family, and knowing that they will see their animal again can give a hospital patient the hope they need to keep fighting for recovery. PACT’s Hospital Foster Program provides the support that is crucial to both the animal’s well-being and the owner’s peace of mind.
How It Works – Fostering a Hospital Animal
PACT works directly with hospital patients, their families, and social workers, to match the companion animal with an appropriate foster home that will give them the care and love they need while their hospitalized owner recovers. We facilitate the foster home placement via our Foster Agreement – a written agreement that outlines the terms of the relationship and protects the interests of all parties involved.
During the foster term, PACT remains in close contact with the foster home to ensure the pet is settling in to a loving and safe environment, and PACT continues to work with the foster home caregivers regarding any issues or concerns that may arise. PACT has a network of animal volunteers to help should an emergency arise at the foster home, and provides the fosters with assistance when necessary by coordinating transport, professional trainers, groomers, kennels, food and supply support, and veterinary discounts for foster animals. Our foster programs are free, however we ask that pet owners cover their beloved animals necessary expenses while in the foster home (food, grooming, veterinarian costs, etc).
While the owner is hospitalized, the foster family provides owners with regular updates on their pet’s well-being, recent activities, and care in the fosters home via emails, texts, photographs and/or video.
Please contact info@pactforanimals.org with any questions you may have. We are happy to hear from you.
Foster Agreement
If you are interested in fostering one of these great animals, then click here to fill out the online application, and contact info@pactforanimals.org about the pet you want to foster. Hospital patients, click here to submit a companion animal in need of fostering.
We need your support!
Help us make a difference by becoming a foster parent to a companion animal of those in need or by financially supporting our foster programs. Please click here to donate whatever you can to continue to keep these emergency services free to all military personnel and hospital patients in need.
Take a look at our Hospital & Military Program pets currently in foster care below:
Luna found a foster in FL!
Daphne is a member of the US Air Force who will be going to training until 3/2/2022. Daphne's family all live abroad, and she has no close friends near her home in Merritt Island, FL, to care for her special little pup, Luna. Luna has been fostered with another PACT...
Barnabas found a foster in IA!
Joshua is a veteran of the US Marines who is seeking in patient treatment for PTSD sustained during his years of faithful service. Joshua's family needs help urgently for the care of his sweet dog, Barnabas, near their home in Kansas City, MO, starting ASAP -...
Isik found a foster in CO!
Jacob is a member of the US Army and is preparing his family for a change of stations overseas on 8/7/2021. Jacob expected to be able to fly his dog, Isik, with the family at the same time, but due to rising temperatures at both their departure and arrival airports,...
Simba found a foster in MD!
Lynn is a member of the US Air Force currently on assignment overseas until 6/1/2022. Lynn's family is looking for additional assistance with her cat, Simba for the next 10 months while his owner is on deployment. Simba is currently in Baltimore, MD, and waiting for...
Pierre found a foster in VA!
Lauren is a member of the US Army who is leaving for basic training from 1/10/2022 to 3/31/2023. She had originally had a friend say they could watch her dog Pierre while she is in training, but recently they said they would be unable to care for him. Pierre is...
Anja found a foster in MD!
Loren is a member of the US Air Force who is currently overseas and has been for some time! Loren had left his beautiful dog Anja with his mom, but she has unfortunately suffered some health issues in the past few months and now Loren and his mom are looking for an...
George and Leslie found a foster in NJ!
Eric is a member of the US Army who will be going to basic training from 7/18/2021 - 7/1/2022. Eric is hoping to find a great PACT foster for his two adorable dogs, George and Leslie, near their home in East Brunswick, NJ. George is a 3 year old, 80lbs, neutered male...
Billy found a foster in MI!
Anna is a member of the US Coast Guard who will be going to training from 7/24/2021 - 11/16/2021. Anna doesn't have family or friends nearby her home in Williamsburg, MI, who can take care of her cat Billy during this training period. Anna is hoping that there might...
Ruger found a foster in ID!
Cali is a member of the US Army and will be going to training from 7/31/2021 - 1/1/2022. Cali is in need of a foster family for her dog Ruger near their home in Plummer, ID. Ruger is a 2 year old, 65lbs, neutered male foxhound/Labrador mix. He is microchipped and up...
Bambi found a foster in NJ!
Mary Ann is a citizen in Matawan, NJ, who recently had spinal surgery. She won't be able to freely walk her little dog, Bambi, for the next two months, from 6/22/2021 - 8/22/2021. Mary Ann is hoping to find an awesome PACT foster to give Bambi the love and attention...