Foster Care Program

2026 Foster Donation Drive: March 1–31

Foster a brighter future for animals in need. Your donations of essential supplies like powdered formula, wet and dry food, potty pads, and more directly support the Irvine Animal Care Center’s foster program. These vital items help ensure the health and well-being of vulnerable puppies, kittens, and animals in recovery. Donate to the Foster Care program from our Amazon or Chewy wish lists and have items shipped directly to the center.​ 

Donation Celebration: March 7, 1–3 p.m. 

Drop off new pet supplies at our drive-thru event at the Irvine Animal Care Center to support animals in foster care. We’ll have treats and an Irvine Animal Care Center Supporter sticker for everyone who donates! 

Foster Care Information

By becoming a temporary pet parent, foster volunteers give a home to kittens or puppies, animals recovering from an injury or medical procedure, or dogs who need extra care before adoption. Fosters contribute time, energy, and a quiet, secure, indoor space completely separate from any pets you may otherwise have. The center provides training, equipment, supplies, and veterinary care.

Fostering can last from one week to several weeks. You tell us your availability, and we’ll match you with animals in need. Foster animals return to the center to be spayed/neutered and made available for adoption. Adoption is not the volunteer’s responsibility.

The success of our Third Chance for Pets program relies heavily on the number of fosters the center has available. In addition, animals too young to be spayed/neutered are fragile creatures with relatively low survival rates. Underage animals require around-the-clock care, and without it, most shelters must euthanize. The more foster volunteers supporting the center, the more animals we can help.

Foster Volunteer Candidates Must Be:

  • At least 18 years old.
  • Able to text, check email, and use the internet regularly.
  • Able to demonstrate the Essential Capabilities for Foster Care.
  • Not volunteering for a court-mandated reason.
  • Comfortable interacting with people and animals.

Program Requirements:

  • At least two hours per day to care for the animals; most often for 4–6 weeks.
  • A quiet, secure place inside the home that’s separated from family pets.
  • Ability to transport animals to the center for routine veterinary care.
  • A willingness to implement basic behavior training (provided).
  • Flexibility to accept animals on short notice​.

Application Process

To get started, view our open opportunities and submit your email address to iaccinterestlist@cityofirvine.org. Learn more about the center's Volunteer Program.

Foster Care Volunteer Opportunities

Bottle Babies & Weaning Babies

The Irvine Animal Care Center needs foster caregivers able to open their hearts and homes to our most vulnerable animals. Orphaned neonates require the around-the-clock care that the mother would normally provide.

  • Bottle babies require feeding every two to three hours, day and night, for up to 3 weeks.
  • Weaning babies require syringe feeding every four hours, for a week or two, as they transition to eating regular food.
  • All neonates will need help going potty.
  • As they grow, kittens will need initial help learning to use a litterbox. Puppies this age are too young to be housebroken, but ample potty pads are provided.
  • All Bottle and Weaning babies will need gentle cleaning.

Large Breed Mama Dog with Puppies 

The Irvine Animal Care Center needs foster caregivers with big dog experience and a comfort level caring for a mama dog that weighs 45-75 lbs. plus her litter of puppies. A typical litter is 5-8 puppies. 

  • Experience & ability to walk a strong dog. 
  • Once the puppies begin to wean, space where they eat & sleep plus space for going potty.

Behavior Foster Program

Our Behavior Foster Program offers three ways to help dogs who need extra care before adoption. By fostering, you provide a safe, supportive environment that prepares them for their forever homes.

  • Third Chance Program: Give dogs rescued from overcrowded shelters, hoarding cases, and disaster situations a calm home before they enter our adoption program.
  • Respite Care: Provide short-term relief for dogs who need a break from the shelter to reduce their stress.
  • Behavior Support: Help dogs build confidence and learn basic skills through an organized schedule, patience, and positive reinforcement.

Behavior Foster volunteers take on these additional duties:

  • Provide a soothing, structured environment with predictable routines.
  • Use positive reinforcement and avoid punishment-based methods.
  • Monitor for signs of stress, illness, or behavior changes and report promptly.
  • Ensure safety by supervising closely and following leash and confinement guidelines.
  • Communicate regular updates to staff about the dog’s progress and needs.