San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter Foster Program

Become a foster

Foster Orientation Sign Up

SMRAS will be conducting one-on-one orientations at the shelter, 750 River Rd, once each application is submitted and approved by staff. After your orientation is complete, you will be able to leave with a shelter pet to foster that same day! 

Thinking about joining our foster family?

Thank you for your interest in becoming a foster for San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter! We need YOU to help us fulfill our mission to care for, protect, and find quality homes for the animals in Hays County. Fostering is free and very rewarding. Fostering also helps by:

  • Providing needed care to a vulnerable animal
  • Freeing up a kennel at the shelter
  • Giving an animal a break from shelter-life
  • Socialization for shy animals
  • Give adopters a better idea of what a pet is like in a home environment.

How to Become a Foster

  1. Register on our portal, and fill out our foster application.
  2. Once you have applied, you should receive a message from Give Pulse over upcoming orientation dates. For any questions please call (512) 805-2657 or email the shelter. 
  3. Once you have gone through an orientation, you're good to go and can be matched with a foster in need. 

Please note: 

  • The shelter reserves the right to prioritize/select animals suitable for foster and we are most ofter in need of fosters for:
    • Animals that are very stressed and need a break from the shelter and long stays
    • Animals that are shy/shutdown and need socialization in the home
    • Animals with behavior needs
    • Animals that are on medical treatment
    • Animals that are too young to be adopted
    • Animals that are bottle feeding and need additional care
    • Senior pets
  • To foster-to-adopt a pet, we recommend contacting our adoptions team if you have questions or concerns about which pets qualify or how a pet may fit with your lifestyle. Call (512) 805-2657 or email animaladoptions@sanmarcostx.gov.