Get Involved

Become a Foster Pet Guardian

Imagine saving a life simply by opening your heart and your home. This is the answer to a four-pawed prayer for the pets who are surrendered to The Rimrock Humane Society. Perhaps the best part of pet fostering is knowing that you are keeping that animal from being euthanized which sadly, is the reality of life in any shelter situation. With our current status, the ONLY way we can help save animals is by having as many foster homes as possible to house ALL the animals that join our program!

Most of the RHS's foster pets are animals that were surrendered because their caretakers were moving, divorced, developed allergies or died. Because so many pets are surrendered each year, the RHS must be selective regarding temperament when placing pets into the Foster Home Program.

We will strive to have all pets current on vaccinations and spayed or neutered before being placed in the RHS Foster Home Program. It is the foster parent's job to provide attention, love and safe housing. The key role of the foster parent is to socialize, train, feed, exercise and love the visiting critter. This also means instilling a sense of confidence and self-esteem into the surrendered pet so that the animal will be more personable and secure, and thus more adoptable. It may also mean hours of potty training if required and obedience training (if a dog needs to brush up on lessons lost). The average length of a foster pet's stay with their temporary family is 3-4 weeks, but it can be longer. (The RHS will supply all food, litter and veterinary costs)

Because the foster parent inevitably develops an emotional attachment to the pet, one of the hardest aspects of fostering is letting go after an animal has been adopted. Although never easy, the knowledge that the foster pet will ``live happily ever after" is always a great comfort. Currently, the RHS has only a few foster parents who provide homes to surrendered pets. We desperately need more volunteers willing to offer temporary safe haven to the homeless companion animals in our care!

If you would like to become a Foster Pet Guardian for The Rimrock Humane Society, you can print out the Foster Application here and fax back to (406)-323-1863 or drop an email to Sandy Church at wschurch@midrivers.com

Want to Volunteer?

True, we don't have a facility where folks can come to volunteer but we still need YOU more than ever. Volunteer your time and help us achieve our goal - it truly will be a rewarding experience . . . we promise!

Pet Socialization and Exercise - Our animals may be in foster homes or still residing with their owners until they are re-homed, but most need work on socializing and exercise. What a horrible way to spend a few hours, petting and working with loving animals - we can see why you wound't want to do THAT! Gee whiz, you may get a slobbery kiss on the face and a happy tail wag for your efforts! (From the dogs, not the RHS staff! *smile*) Please help us make our animals more adoptable!

Special Events & Fundraisers - With an annual rummage sale in June and a dog walk in September, we are always looking for volunteers to assist us in these huge undertakings. There are many other smaller miscellaneous events we could use your help with during the year also. We are open to fundraising ideas from you as well -- if you want to sell lemonade and donate the money to the RHS, we say GO FOR IT! We are open to any and all suggestions so keep 'em coming! Help is also needed occasionally for bulk mail preparation.

Home Visits for Adoption Screening - We are very stringent about our adoption policies and are always looking for folks to help us with doing a home visit. Let us know where you are located and that you are willing and able to check out a new adoptive home; we are compiling a list so we know who we have where!

Sound like fun? Then please join us by signing our Volunteer Agreement Form here and fax back to us at (406) 323-1863 or you can just give us a call at (406)-323-3687 and ask for Sandy.

“I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing I can do, or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

Stephen Grellet (1773-1855)

Copyright © 2003-2009 Rimrock Humane Society