Current Foster Parents: find your foster resource library here!
Have you ever thought about fostering?
Thank you for your interest in the Foster Care Program! Together our foster parents make an enormous contribution to Greenhill and the animals of our community by caring for over 700 animals per year when they need us the most. Without these dedicated volunteers, Greenhill could not provide loving homes to nearly as many deserving animals as we do each year.
We are always looking for foster parents who can open their hearts and their homes to many types of animals such as kittens and puppies, adult animals recovering from surgery or illness, and animals who just need a break from the stress of the shelter environment. Foster stays can vary from 2 weeks to several months, depending on the animal’s needs and the foster parent’s availability.
If you have questions or would like more information about this rewarding opportunity, please contact Kristi Chizacky, Foster Care Manager, at 541-689-1503 
ext. 114 or e-mail foster@green-hill.org. Or click on the Foster Care Application link below to apply. We look forward to hearing from you!
Steps to Becoming a Foster Parent:
1. Please review the foster program requirements (please see below).
2. Please complete the online Foster Care Application by clicking here. If you would like to volunteer (not foster), please complete the online Volunteer Application on the Volunteering page.
3. Upon receipt of your Foster Care Application, we will contact you to further discuss your interests and the foster care program with you.
4. Attend a foster care interview and training session (to be scheduled with foster care staff).
Foster Program Requirements:
- You must be at least 19 years of age to become a foster parent. Children are encouraged to participate fully in this rewarding experience with their parents.
- Landlord approval is required for all foster parents who rent their residence. Please confirm with your landlord that you are approved to foster animals prior to submitting a foster care application. We will contact your landlord to discuss any fostering restrictions.
- Current vaccinations are required for all foster parents’ dogs/cats prior to
placing a foster animal in your home. Please confirm that your animals are up-to-date on their vaccinations prior to submitting a foster care application. We also recommend you speak with your veterinarian to make sure fostering is a good fit for you and your pets.
Monthly Foster Spotlight
January 2019
Meet our Foster of the Month Christine Pagnotta! Christine has been a cat and kitten foster parent for almost 2 years and said: “Shortly after moving to Eugene I started fostering due to my deep love for animals in general and my strong desire to help animals in need.”
We asked Christine to share with us her most memorable foster case and she said: “My first foster kitty family was a beautiful feral cat with her 5 kittens. It was quite the challenge getting mama cat to accept us, which took a lot of patience and perseverance. Most rewarding was to see she was able to be adopted. We also adopted our first kitten from this litter, Oliver, who is the most lovable cat we have.”
Christine’s favorite part about fostering is seeing their personalities come out after spending so much time with them. “I love helping these animals prepare for adoption and then getting them to their forever families who will love them forever and get their love and fun personalities in return.” She said.
Christine is a retired mother of 4 wonderful children and also a grandmother of 3 amazing girls! In her spare time she loves to garden and she really enjoys art, particularly painting. She and her husband Michael have been married for 14 years and they enjoy finding interesting and tasty gourmet meals to experiment with!
“If you have the time, the space, and a passion for pets, fostering is tremendously rewarding. I never found the experience difficult or hard in any way even in the most challenging scenarios. Watching an animal that has been living in a sheltered environment or either hurt or abused, come into your home is a beautiful thing. They learn that they are safe and loved and you can see them flourish right before your eyes. Fostering increases exposure to the public and helps these pets have a better chance of getting adopted. You have an opportunity to change a dog or cat’s future. You become part of a wonderful community with shared values and you will make someone’s family complete. Animals in foster care learn to be better socialized, less stressed, and you are saving a life.” Christine said.