The BFF program connects with Florida's Bright Futures Scholarship, which provides college tuition assistance to high school students (funded by the Florida Lottery). Bright Futures is used by almost every student who decides to attend college in FL. However, they do have to meet specific academic and volunteer-hour requirements:
- 75% tuition coverage: 3.0 gpa, 75 volunteer hours, at least 24 on act or 1190 on sat
- 100% tuition coverage: 3.5 gpa, 100 volunteer hours, at least 29 on act or 1330 on sat
For the most part, these requirements are very achievable for students. However, many meet the academic requirements but are about to graduate without any volunteer hours, which would make them ineligible for the scholarship. This is where the BFF program comes in:
- High school students aged 16–18 (with parental permission) could foster a shelter dog or litter of kittens for 8 weeks
- They'd complete volunteer training, submit weekly updates and photos, and write a 1-2 page report about the experience at the end
- Upon completion, they'd receive 100 volunteer hours (or 2 hours per day)
- The program helps students earn their hours while increasing foster capacity, engaging new volunteers, and often even leading to adoptions - Seminole County's program has a waitlist every year.
The way Seminole County structured the program was by organizing a "class" of students each year. The class goes in for a general volunteer and animal care training, and then are invited to the shelter on a separate day to select a foster dog. The kids choose from a pre-selected group of dogs. Typically these are dogs who have challenges making them harder to adopt. Some struggled with leash reactivity, kennel anxiety, allergies, etc.
Over the next eight weeks, the student's role is to foster their assigned pet and work on improving the issues identified. The shelter provided support depending on the issue, for example they provid medicated shampoos to help with skin issues. During the 8 weeks, the students are invited back for two additional trainings: one on pet CPR and another led by a dog trainer focused on leash handling. At the end of the eight weeks, the students have three options-continue fostering, adopt, or return the dog to the shelter in hopes that the progress they made would help them get adopted.
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Rachel Rothman
Donor Relations Coordinator
Patty Baker Humane Society Naples
FL
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-15-2026 11:06 AM
From: Yvette Mota
Subject: increasing fosters
Can you tell me a bit more about the BFF program please (:
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Yvette Mota
Animal Services Specialist
Chula Vista Animal Care Facility
CA
Original Message:
Sent: 11-17-2025 11:24 AM
From: Rachel Rothman
Subject: increasing fosters
The Seminole County Humane Society has a program called BFF. I actually participated in it as a high school student, and I am now working with the CEO here at Patty Baker Humane Society to implement a similar program.
Furthermore, our rescue recess program (which allows people to take a dog out for an hours or two and bring it back) has led to many long-term fosters and adoptions.
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Rachel Rothman
Donor Relations Coordinator
Patty Baker Humane Society Naples
FL
Original Message:
Sent: 11-16-2025 10:22 AM
From: Melissa Klaskin
Subject: increasing fosters
Hello,
Does anyone have good ideas for how to attract more fosters? I have conducted foster 101 workshops and despite all the advertising, we get very little attendance. I need some other crea tive ideas.
Thank you,
Melissa Klaskin
#FosterPrograms
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Melissa Klaskin
psychologist
Reducing Animal Stress
CA
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