Support
Volunteer
We have many volunteer opportunities at the shelter and are always happy to add new members to our team! There are many different options and we will ensure to match you where your interests and skills fit best. Volunteer areas include but are not limited to:
- Dog Enrichment
- Cat Enrichment
- Animal Care/Cleaning
- Front Desk/Office
- Outreach & Events
Volunteer Request Form
Fill out the form below to connect with a member of our staff about volunteering!
Foster
What does it mean to foster?
Fostering means temporarily providing a home outside of the shelter for a variety of reasons, including:
- The animal is not old enough for adoption.
- The shelter environment is not a great fit for the animal and their needs.
- The animal needs particular care and attention that would be easier met in a household setting.
Animal Fostering Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for fostering an animal?
There are only a few requirements necessary to be a member of our foster team!
- Fosters must be over the age of 18.
- Fosters must have a space in their home where they can isolate their foster animals from their own animals, such as a spare bedroom or bathroom.
- Fosters must be able to bring their foster animals to the shelter every 2 weeks for scheduled checkups with our veterinary staff. Checkups with the medical team are scheduled Monday through Friday from 9 to 10 am.
- Some animals require more of a time/attention commitment than others. For example, orphaned neonatal kittens require bottle feeding every two hours, but litters with mom who are eating well need significantly less hands-on time.
How long is the fostering process?
If you are fostering kittens or puppies, they will typically return to the shelter for sterilization surgery and adoption at eight weeks old.
Animals needing socialization or specialized care may need a foster home from just a few weeks to a few months depending on their situation.
Tell us about your lifestyle, and we will only set you up with fosters that are compatible with your home and daily schedule!
What do I do in an emergency?
In the event of a medical emergency during during business hours, fosters are advised to email our Medical Coordinator (email listed on the bottom of foster agreement). For any emergencies after hours, our fosters are provided with a link to communicate directly with a veterinarian.
How can I help my foster animal find a forever home?
We ask that you advertise your foster pet as much as you can and spread the word about all the wonderful qualities you have noticed in your foster pet!
Post on your personal Facebook, Instagram, and other social media pages! In your posts, include:
- Quality pictures of your foster.
- The best qualities you’ve noticed about your pet.
- Different populations your foster pet has experience with, and how they are with that specific population (Good with kids, wary of men, etc.).
- Any likes/dislikes your foster animal.
- When your foster will be available for adoption .
- Tag us in your posts!
- You’re also more than welcome to send us pictures and tales from your own experiences with your foster pet to help us find the best home for them as we can.
Donations of Materials & Supplies
There are a number of supplies that we never seem to have enough of to keep our shelter running. Please consider bringing any of the items below to our shelter during our normal business hours, Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. There is a shelf available outside our building labeled for shelter donations that is checked multiple times per day, or you can bring the items inside and visit with animals!
Items We Always Need
- Paper Towels
- 39 Gallon Garbage Bags
- Dishwasher Pods
- Laundry Detergent
- Dry Dog and Cat Food
- Puppy and Kitten Food
- Blankets & Towels
- Canned Cat Food
- Canned Dog Food
- Cat & Dog Treats
- Cat & Dog Toys
- Clay Cat Litter
Donate
The Susquehanna SPCA relies on the support of donations to operate effectively throughout the year. Every contribution helps us accomplish our goals of providing temporary housing and medical care (including spay and neuter) to homeless animals and finding them permanent loving families.
One-Time Donation
Donations can be made securely online through Give Lively or mailed to the shelter at 5082-5088 State Highway 28, Cooperstown NY 13326. You do not need to have a PayPal account to donate using a credit card.
