BABY BOTTLE FOSTER PROGRAM:

See KNBC Channel 4 coverage on the Foster Program

The Los Angeles Department of Animal Services is currently recruiting volunteers to serve as foster “parents” to under-age kittens and puppies.

Interested? Please fill out and submit a Foster Parent Application to the Animal Care Center closest to you. You will be required to provide a copy of a California ID, California Drivers License, Student ID, or Passport In addition we will do a background check of your name in our data base. Next you will attend a training session, which might be one-on-one orientation or a classroom type training. Minors, ages 16-17, must also present a Minor Consent Form signed by a parent or guardian who must also attend the training or orientation held by an Animal Care Technician staff member.

The Bottle Baby Foster Program is designed to save the lives of orphaned puppies and kittens less than 8 weeks of age. Underage kittens and puppies that come into Animal Care Centers without a mother cannot be expected to survive without the help of loving foster “parents” who are willing to feed and nurture them until they are old enough to be adopted. Once the puppies and kittens are ready for adoption, they are returned to the shelters to await adoption into a new home.

What Are the Responsibilities of Foster “Parents?”
Foster “parents” will be responsible for feeding and caring for the underage puppies and kittens in their care and ensuring that they receive medical attention from the nearest Animal Care Center if necessary. Volunteer Foster Parents must be able to take home and provide a clean safe environment for the fostered animals, as well as a lot of love and patience

What Does the Department of Animal Services Provide?
The Department of Animal Services will provide foster “parents” with the training they need in order to properly care for the new foster kittens and puppies during the one on one orientation, continues information and training shall follow as needed. The Department will also provide the Volunteer Foster Parents with support from Animal Care Technician (ACT) staff at each of the Animal Care Centers

Each foster caregiver will receive:

• A Starter Kit and an on-going supply of milk replacement;
• Any necessary medical care is provided by Department veterinary personnel (private veterinarian costs that the foster chooses to incur will not be reimbursed);
• The opportunity to adopt two picks of the litter at full price each.
  

To submit your application, RSVP or to receive more information, please contact one of our 7 shelters and ask to speak to any Animal Care Technician, ACT Or staff member.  Become a foster “parent” today! 

Any dog or cat under the age of 8 weeks will only be adopted with its mother and the rest of the litter. Please call first to confirm that the mother and litter are available for placement

Toll Free: (888) 452-7381

North Central Center                                      South Los Angeles Center
3201 Lacy Street,                                            3612 11th Avenue,
Los Angeles, CA 90031                                    Los Angeles, CA 90018
            

West Valley Center                                        West Los Angeles Center
20655 Plummer Street,                                   11361 West Pico Blvd.,
Chatsworth, CA 91311                                    Los Angeles CA 90064
              

Harbor Center                                                East Valley Center
957 N. GAFFEY ST,                                          14409 Vanowen St.,
San Pedro, CA 90731                                      Van Nuys, CA 91405

To download a Foster Parent application and / or Minor Consent form click on the links below:

Baby Bottle Foster Parent Application

Minor Consent Form

Foster News Letter

2009

For more information on fostering puppies and kittens, click on the informative links below:
Kittens
Kitten Care Handbook


Puppies
Fostering Puppies Information

Rabbits
Orphan Rabbit Care