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FOSTERING

Why Foster?​

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  • It's free! Most animal shelters and rescues provide necessary food to feed a foster. Often times, they can also provide bedding, crates, treats and toys. Any medical costs or veterinary care are not up to the foster. Of course, check with your local animal shelter or rescue about this, first.​

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  • Fostering not only saves the life of that pet, but another that takes its place.

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  • Fostering generally lasts as long as it takes for the animal to be adopted. Read on for short-term fostering options!​​​

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  • While you can grow attached to your foster pet, it's okay! That's a normal part of the process and shouldn't prevent you from trying out fostering. It's important to know that your foster pet won't be completely devastated being adopted into a new home. Adoption is ultimately the end result. If you're struggling with this, reach out to the shelter staff and/or foster coordinator for support. They've seen it all before and can help put your mind at ease. You might also consider joining fostering groups on Facebook and connecting with the Foster community for additional support.

 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​A pet that has been in a foster home has a higher chance of being adopted, faster. How?​​

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  • Dogs will get some training and a much-needed routine that will help the next family and their transition in a new home. 

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  • A home environment reduces the pets stress, making them that much more adoptable to families looking to add a pet to their family. It also helps staff learn more about the pet and their behaviors, mannerisms, play style, socialization (with other animals and people), bathroom habits, etc.

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  • Pets in homes aren't experiencing the stressful environment of a shelter that include a lot of constant noise, overwhelming smells, lack of safe hiding places and more.

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Fostering-to-adopt is different from fostering a pet with the intention of adopting it out. Some organizations offer for "foster-to-adopt" trials for folks looking to adopt a pet, but aren't sure if the pet they're interested in is the right fit and visa versa. 

 

"Foster Fail" means someone fostered a pet without the initial intention of adopting, but fell in love and made it permanent! Sometimes that means that that household will be unable to foster in the future, as they have their hands full with a new pet! ​

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Short-term Fostering​​

Some organizations offer short-term fostering (geared more specifically towards dogs) such as over-night fostering, day time fostering or field trips. This makes such a huge impact on the dog especially those who are particularly stressed in a shelter environment. Shelters are loud, smelly and can be scary. The more a dog can get out of the kennel, the better the chances will be that the dog doesn't become stressed causing behavioral issues or health-related issues. 

Day-time Fostering

Can't commit to fostering full-time until the dog is adopted, but still want to help? Take a dog home for a few hours! This helps the dog to decompress from the stressful shelter environment. You will also get to know the dog a little bit and can pass that info along to the shelter to share with any potential adopters who might be a great match! 

Field Trips

"Dog Day Out" programs allow you to take a shelter dog out on the town for the day! This exposes them to more people who may be interested in adopting, gets the dog some socializing and exercise, and is just fun!

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