Dog and Cat Foster Volunteers Needed!

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The SF SPCA is launching a new pilot program... Virtual Adoptions! This provides a brand new way to adopt our animals via virtual meetings. An animal will stay in a Foster home instead of in the shelter, and you will be an integral part in helping our animals find their forever homes.

We need 30 Foster Families to help with our Virtual Adoption Launch this month.

If you are interested, see the details below and send an email to rmangan@sfspca.org

Please read the requirements of fostering an animal for this program:

• Foster for an undetermined amount of time (could be 1 week to potentially 1 month). Of course, if you have a time limit, let us know and we can coordinate an early return
• Tech Savvy, with access to a laptop or tablet with video capabilities, and reliable Wi-Fi
• A quiet and clean space for showcasing the animal
• Able to participate in a Zoom call with a client and a member of the Adoptions Team. SPCA Staff leads the conversation and is responsible for all the paperwork
• Availability in your schedule to offer a few timeslots per week for virtual calls
• Be in alignment with our Open Adoptions Philosophy* and trust that our Adoptions Counselors are matching clients and animals to the best of their ability
• Meet the client to facilitate the hand-off of the animal at our Mission campus or in a public place

This program is still in its early stages, so we thank you for your patience as we work out the kinks! If you are interested but have limited ability or restrictions with some of these requirements, that is okay just let us know! We will always do our best to accommodate our awesome foster parents and want to do what is most comfortable for you.

Our Open Adoptions Philosophy means we believe that open, progressive adoption policies save lives. Our goal is to send pets into loving homes, while providing exemplary, culturally competent customer service that turns visitors into lifelong adopters and animal advocates.

When doing Open Adoptions, we have open, honest conversations with potential adopters that are both more encompassing than relying on an application alone, and less confrontational and judgmental to the potential adopter. Specifically, we do not deny adoption based on concerns of income level, living conditions, or any other potentially discriminatory factors.

"Open" also means that we, the organization, are open and honest with the adopter about our process and the pets within our care. In essence, we strive to safely and effectively move as many shelter animals as possible into loving homes.