MONTEREY COUNTY — SPCA Monterey County is seeking foster volunteers to help care for 187 rescued puppies and kittens, with additional animals arriving daily.
The organization said foster caregivers provide temporary homes for young or vulnerable animals while it supplies medical care, food and necessary supplies.
“Fostering isn’t a lifelong commitment, it’s a life-saving one. Whether you have a spare bathroom, a guest room, or just a little extra space in your heart, you can help,” SPCA Monterey County said in a release Wednesday.
The organization added that foster volunteers serve as a critical bridge between rescue and adoption, offering daily care, feeding and socialization while animals grow, heal or become ready for permanent homes.
“The SPCA provides everything, food, litter, bedding, medical supplies, veterinary care, and skilled advice,” the release said. “You provide the snuggles, the late-night feedings, and the safe space for a pet to heal or grow.”
Tim and Karen O’Shea, longtime foster volunteers who have helped more than 80 kittens, described the experience as both meaningful and well supported.
“We truly feel a deep connection with these young animals and the joy of helping them have a strong and supportive home life before they’re adopted,” they said. “All of this happens with the support of an amazing team at the SPCA, who go out of their way to make the experience easy and very supportive.”
Foster opportunities include bottle-feeding puppies and kittens, caring for mother animals with litters needing quiet space to nurse and helping adult animals recover from surgery or illness.
“All the things you need, food, litter, medical supplies, vet visits, care, and support from the team, are provided,” the O’Sheas added. “It makes the journey with these young kittens so much easier than you can imagine, and the joy of seeing them develop and thrive in your home is indescribable.”
The SPCA is also offering a free Bottle Baby Workshop from 10 a.m. to noon June 13 at the SPCA Learning Center.
More information is available at spcamc.org/foster.
Additional programs include “Doggy Day Out,” which allows volunteers to take shelter dogs on field trips such as hikes or beach outings, and overnight “Pawjama Party” sleepovers, available at spcamc.org/ddo.
The organization also offers a “Foster to Adopt” program with a 72-hour trial period for prospective adopters, available at spcamc.org/adopt/foster-to-adopt.html.
Donations of supplies for neonatal animals are being requested through an Amazon wish list at spcamc.org/kitten-shower, including formula, bottles, litter, blankets and warming toys.
