Fosters in response to Emergencies
Hearts Open, Homes Ready
When disaster strikes—wildfires, earthquakes, or extreme storms—animals are among the most vulnerable, and shelters can quickly become overwhelmed. FIREPaws (Fosters In Response to Emergencies) empowers compassionate foster families to become trained, lifesaving responders, ready to provide safe, temporary homes and care for animals in crisis.
As a FIREPaws volunteer, you’ll gain specialized training in emergency preparedness, animal care, and trauma-informed handling, equipping you to act confidently when every moment counts. Beyond the skills, you’ll join a dedicated community of fosters, sharing the unique reward of helping animals heal, recover, and find safety during some of their most critical times. By opening your home and heart, you become part of a network that ensures no animal is left behind—and every foster home makes a lasting impact.
What You Gain as A FIREPaws Foster:
Rapid Response:
Step in quickly to provide temporary homes for animals during disasters.
Training & Support:
Receive specialized training in emergency care, trauma-informed handling, and animal safety.
Build Skills:
Year-round emergency preparedness for you, your family, and the animals you care about.
Be a Lifesaver:
Join a community of heroes ready to respond when every second counts.
Ready to Get Involved?
Join FIREPaws Now and be a Hero to Animals in Crisis!
Disasters don’t wait, and neither do the animals affected. With a strong network of compassionate foster caregivers, FIREPaws ensures no animal is left behind. Together, we can respond faster, care deeper, and save more lives. FIREPaws is leading the way in emergency animal care, and you can play a vital role in this lifesaving mission.
Join us in making a difference, because every animal deserves a safe haven when disaster strikes. Together, we can save lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t see the answer to your question here? Contact our Foster Program! We would love to hear from you.
Once the need for FIREPaws fosters has been identified, you will be contacted by the Berkeley Humane Animal Care Team for availability and instructions.
None! We supply you with everything we feel the foster animal needs to be comfortable.
Training includes general foster on-boarding as well as emergency preparedness programs offered throughout the year.
Absolutely! Help your company make a lifesaving impact. Volunteer as a team to support animals in crisis. Email Us to get started!
Please consider making a gift to help provide fosters with lifesaving training, and critical supplies. Make a donation here!
Fosters are needed year round to help provide a temporary home and loving care to shelter animals awaiting adoption! Even if you’re not ready to join FIREPaws, you can still become a foster. Learn more about fostering.
