Foster Programs

Katie (volunteer) with foster pups Mardi and Audrey

ACN's Emergency Foster Care Program

Animal Compassion Network has space for twenty cats and twenty dogs in our Emergency Foster Program. ACN pulls the majority of the animals for this program from local shelters, but they also come to us from other dire of circumstances, including the loss of their person to a nursing facility or death or from cruelty cases. Periodically, ACN is asked to assist with a national disaster, like Hurricane Katrina, or a local emergency, such as the recent shutdown of a Hendersonville facility. In those instances, ACN expands the Emergency Foster Program to include all of the animals from the relief effort.  Read more about this program »

ACN's Public Partner Program

Animal Compassion Network’s Public Partner Program is designed as an alternative to surrendering a pet to the shelter. We understand that there are circumstances that may force a family to give up a beloved pet. We also know that many of you have rescued a stray and want to see them go onto a good home. With the overwhelming number of animals entering local shelters, there is no certainty that an animal will actually make it into the shelter’s adoption room, and the alternative is inconceivable to the people who care about the fate of their animal. Not only does the Public Partner Program allow a family or rescuer to meet the adoptive family and feel good about our safe-for-life promise, it betters the odds for the shelter cats and dogs vying for the few available spaces in adoptions.

Because our Emergency Foster Homes are always full (with a wait list to take in animals from other dire circumstances), you will be asked to foster the pet you need to re-home as a Public Partner. The Board of Directors has recently voted to remove the limit on the number of Public Partner pets accepted, so all who request help and meet the program criteria are welcome. Our free service is the responsible and happy way to find your pet the new home he or she deserves. 

To enter a dog or cat into ACN’s Public Partner Program, please call (828) 258-4820 and listen to what your responsibilities will be before beginning the intake process. If you accept your part in the process, please leave a message and a volunteer will return your call and get you started.

If you prefer to contact us via email, please read through the program parameters carefully before emailing us to begin an intake.

Read about your part in the Public Partner Program here »