Welcome, Foster Parents!
This resource page has been created to help you on your foster journey. Please watch and read all mandatory materials below, then request to join our private VCAS Foster Facebook page. This page is only open to VCAS team members including staff and volunteers. If you do not have Facebook, please create an account so you have access to this essential page. Please be sure to answer the mandatory questions when you request to join. Approval and access will be granted shortly. The Foster Facebook page is a wonderful support system for all foster parents!
Contact Information
Foster Coordinator’s Cell: (805) 336-5277 (private line)
- Phone is monitored between 9:00am – 6:00pm.
- In the case of an EMERGENCY please contact the Main Shelter Line (805) 388-4341.
- This is a private line for VCAS Foster Parents only. Please do not share it.
Foster Email: vcar.foster@ventura.org
Main Shelter Line: (805) 388-4341
- Call this number in case of an emergency if you cannot reach the Foster Care Coordinator on the cell phone.
- If you are calling this number after-hours, please select OPTION 4. If it is after-hours and no one answers, you MUST leave a voicemail and the on-call officer will return your call.
- Looking for advice or need help with your kittens (non-emergency)? Refer to your Kitten Manual for the contact information of our wonderful Foster Kitten Mentors!
Scheduling An Appointment
CLICK HERE to schedule a Kitten Foster Recheck appointment for vaccines, deworming, and/or flea control.
CLICK HERE to schedule a Vet Office Drop-Off or Telehealth appointment for sick animals.
Spay/Neuter Appointments – Please call, email, or text the Foster Coordinator when your kittens are of weight (1.5 pounds), so we can provide you with surgery instructions.
CLICK HERE to schedule a Matchmaking Appointment to meet a new potential foster animal (adult dogs and cats).
Marketing & Adoption
Marketing Your Foster Dog
“Effective Dog Marketing for Adoption”
by Maddie’s Fund
Although this video is geared toward finding homes for dogs in a shelter setting, the information is spot on! Use the AdoptMeApp to upload photos of your foster dog. When your dog’s profile becomes active on the VCAS website, all of the photos you’ve taken will be waiting in their diary!
Additional Resources:
Foster Marketing Guide (PDF)
AdoptMeApp – This is a great way to get your foster pet seen! Please download this app today and begin updating your foster pets’ “Adopt Me Diary”. All AdoptMeApp diary entries are published on the AdoptMeVenturaCA Twitter feed which automatically updates with new diary entries!
Kitten Resources
- VCAS KITTEN FOSTER MANUAL (PDF)
- Bottle Baby Care Log (Excel)
- Bottle Baby Care Log (PDF)
- The Kitten Lady (Web Page)
- The Kitten Lady (YouTube Channel)
- Socializing Fearful/Feral/Spicy Kittens (PDF)
- Maddie’s Foster Flash Classes (Web Page)
Cat Resources
- VCAS CAT FOSTERING MANUAL (PDF)
- Introducing Cats to Foster Dogs (Best Friends)
- Bringing Your Foster Cat Home (YouTube)
- Helping Scardey Cats Adjust (YouTube)
- Behavior Modification for Cats (YouTube)
- Introducing Cats to Each Other (YouTube)
DOG RESOURCES
1. Before you bring your Foster Dog home:
- VCAS FOSTER DOG MANUAL (PDF)
- VCAS PUPPY FOSTER MANUAL (PDF)
- VCAS Foster Dogs most in need of Foster (Trello webpage)
- 10 Tips for Successfully Fostering a Dog (Hope2K9 Foundation)
- Decompression Tips for Your New Foster Dog (YouTube) Required
- Bring Home Your Shy/Fearful Foster Dog (YouTube) Required viewing for fearful foster dogs.
2. Foster Dogs and People:
- Introducing Foster Dogs to Strangers in Your House (YouTube) Required
- Introducing Your SHY/FEARFUL Foster Dog to Strangers (YouTube) Required for fearful foster dogs.
- Introducing Your Foster Dog to New People Outside (YouTube) Required
- Keeping Interactions Between Foster Dogs and Children Safe (YouTube) Required even if there are no kids in your home.
- Playing With Your Foster Dog (YouTube) Required
- Bite Prevention (ASPCA)
3. Foster Dogs and Other Animals:
- How to safely introduce dogs. (YouTube) Required if you have dogs at your home.
- How to introduce your foster dog to cats in the home. (YouTube) Required if you have cats at home.
- How to safely introduce dogs. (Best Friends) Required if you have dogs at your home.
4. Foster Dogs in the Home:
- House-training/potty training (YouTube)
- Crate Training (YouTube) Required
- Leaving Your Foster Dog Home Alone (YouTube)
5. Walking Your Foster Dog:
- Loose Leash Walking (YouTube)
- Choosing the Appropriate Walking Gear (YouTube)
- Loose Leash Walking (Positively) Required
- Leash Reactivity Series: VIDEO #1, VIDEO #2, VIDEO #3, VIDEO #4, VIDEO #5, VIDEO #6, VIDEO #7
6. Additional Foster Dog Training and Behavioral Resources:
- Muzzle conditioning (YouTube)
- Nothing In Life Is Free.PDF (SF SPCA)
- Maddie’s Foster Flash Classes (Maddie’s Fund)
- How to Teach the “Wait” Command (YouTube)
- Common Dog Behavior Issues (ASPCA)
- Behavior issues: Aggression (ASPCA)
