Christmas fostering

We started our Christmas fostering programme “Take Me Home For Christmas” many years ago and it has been a wonderful and successful experience for families and for the shelter animals. Studies have shown that just one night away from a shelter can significantly reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone).

We look for Christmas foster homes for cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs who have not found their forever homes before Christmas.

How it works

Cats and Small Animals: You can register your interest to foster a cat, rabbit or guinea pigs for Christmas 2025. The application form to foster for Christmas is our standard fostering application form. It includes important information the staff need and and gives the rehoming teams information they need in case you do decide to adopt your Christmas foster pet (it has happened many times!)

There is NO FEE to foster a shelter animal for Christmas. Should you wish to apply to adopt after the fostering period you will go through the normal adoption process and an adoption fee will apply.

How Long Do I Foster For?

Christmas fostering will start the week of December 15th 2025 (in some cases it can be earlier). Return dates is generally starts the 2nd January.

Food, Bedding & Supplies

All food will be supplied to families who foster. Bedding, leads and collars are also supplied, however making a donation of new ones to the shelter for other animals that may need them would be greatly appreciated.

Register to foster for Christmas 2025

Foster a Cat for Christmas

We are delighted you are applying to register a cat for Christmas. Thank you for your kindness this Christmas. The team will only know what cats/kittens are available for Christmas fostering nearer to early/mid December. If they don't have a cat/kitten to suit your home it's not because of you it's because we have a duty of care to all the animals in the NSPCA and to the families who foster for us. Know that we are so grateful that…

Foster a Small animal for Christmas

Thank you so much for your interest in fostering a small animal for Christmas. Your gift of home for a rabbit, guinea pig or ferret means this Christmas means the world to us and the animals. The team will only know what small animals are available for Christmas fostering nearer to early/mid December. If they don't have a shelter small animal to suit your home it's not because of you it's because we have a duty of care to all…

Foster a Dog for Christmas

Thank you thinking of fostering a dog for Christmas. Your gift of a home for Christmas is more than a shelter dog could ask for. From our past experience with the Christmas Foster Programme, we've found that the process runs much more smoothly when our Dog Rehoming Team can meet families in person. This helps us make sure we match each family with the most suitable dog. We have a duty of care to both our dogs and our foster…

Can't Foster?

If you’re not in a position to foster a shelter animal from Christmas you can make a donation which will help provide food, shelter and veterinary care to a shelter animal in need just like Jessie – Thank You.

DONATE HERE