Foster

How it works

Our rescue is foster-based, meaning our rescue dogs aren’t kept in kennels. Instead, they spend their time awaiting adoption in foster homes. Every new opening in a foster home means we can save one more dog!

Here are the steps:
1. Fill out the foster home application here.
(it’s quick and easy, just some basic questions.)
2. Meet your potential foster dog.
3. Take them home & treat ’em like family.
4. Rinse, repeat!

Foster homes make this whole thing work. We are incredibly grateful for those who volunteer their homes as a landing place for these awesome dogs. There’s no pressure to keep your foster dog for longer than you’re comfortable with, and if you have any questions or issues we are just a phone call, text, or email away!

Your foster dog’s financial needs are covered by the rescue. This means monthly heartworm and flea preventative, food, medical needs, and anything else they need during their stay. You just provide the love.

How do I pick which dog I foster?

Because of the way foster-based rescue works, we don’t always have a list of dogs for a foster to choose from to bring home. It’s best if you describe to us the type of dog you’re willing to foster, so if there is a dog that matches your application in need of rescuing we can scoop them up and place them in your loving foster home while they await adoption!

If we do currently have dogs awaiting foster, you can find their images at the bottom of this page or send us a message to see who’s waiting for a place to stay!

Why foster-based?

Even at a wonderful facility, the transition from being a beloved housepet to living in a kennel is stressful for dogs. They are surrounded by strange smells, noises, people, and dogs constantly, which negatively affects their mental health and can lead to long-term problematic behavioral issues.

According to the Center for Shelter Dogs at Tufts University, “Some dogs will hide in the back of the kennel, be less active or stop eating. Some dogs may behave aggressively in response to stress, while other dogs will begin to perform repetitive behaviors, increase their frequency of barking/vocalization, become destructive, and start to urinate and defecate in their kennel. Stress may also affect a shelter dog’s physical health, causing increased susceptibility to diseases and a longer recovery time from illness.”

By moving dogs out of shelters and into foster homes — or even better, skipping the shelter altogether — the stress of transition can be minimized and dogs stand a much better chance at being adopted and flourishing in their adoptive homes.

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