How to Find Short-Term Foster Care for Your Dog

No matter how great of a pet parent you are, situations can pop up that make it difficult or even impossible to care for your pet. Whether you’re facing health issues, housing troubles, or even need help getting out of a domestic violence situation, there are resources that can help. 

Although these resources vary by location, there are some best practices you can follow while looking for a short-term or temporary foster for your pet as you navigate a difficult situation. (It takes a village, after all.) If you’re wondering how to find a temporary foster for your dog, this article will walk you through how to arrange temporary dog care and what to expect during the process. 

Why you may need short-term foster care for your dog

As a pet parent, it’s easy to be hard on yourself when it comes to providing for your pet. We want to be there for them, no matter what. But in certain situations, it may truly be best to temporarily re-home your pet somewhere you can trust. 

Unexpected illness or hospitalization

Maybe you’ve suddenly come down with an illness and need to be hospitalized for a few days. Or perhaps you’re receiving treatment for something more serious. In either case, you may need help caring for your pets. Although you may be able to ask friends or neighbors to check in on your pets for a day or two, any longer than that likely requires more extensive care and planning. 

Temporary housing issues

Whether you’re relocating and need a place to get short-term care for your dog, or your home is undergoing renovations and your pup needs a quiet place to escape, housing issues are a common reason pet parents seek temporary help. Pets may get stressed out by loud construction noises, and the environment may not be safe for them to wander around at home.

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Emergency travel or deployment

Maybe you suddenly have to travel for a work emergency, or you’re being deployed as a member of the military. These are both examples of times you may need temporary care for your dog. If you’re being deployed for military service, there are many programs across the country (like Dogs on Deployment) that may be able to pair you with a foster. 

Personal crisis or family emergency

Taking care of yourself doesn’t end with your physical health. Dealing with serious mental health issues, addiction treatment, and other related issues may require you to find temporary housing for your pet. Family emergencies may also create the need for a temporary care – whether you have a sick family member moving in or need to devote a lot of time to care for them. There are options available when it comes to dog foster care for parents in crisis.

Where to find short-term dog fostering

If you have a friend or family member who’s willing to look after your dog during a difficult time, that’s great. But if you don’t, it may take a little bit of searching. From your immediate network to local programs, here are a few places to look for short-term pet fostering options. 

Friends, family, and neighbors

When an urgent dog foster is needed, start with the people you know and who know your pet. They are often the best, easiest options for short-term fostering. There’s no adjustment period for meeting a new person, and they probably already know some of your pet’s quirks and habits. 

Don’t forget that these people may not know the ins and outs of your dog’s daily routine, so you’ll still need to provide specific instructions for them about your pet’s care. You may even know someone who doesn’t qualify to foster for an organization (some require fenced yards and such), but would be happy to care for your pup. 

Dedicated foster networks

The availability of foster networks varies greatly by location, but some municipalities have programs designed to keep pets with their people (in the long term) by providing temporary fosters when needed. This helps keep pets out of the shelter. It also provides a huge relief for families or individuals who love their pets, but have experienced a temporary setback.

Some shelters, rescues, and other organizations (such as The Bond Between) have programs designed to provide short-term fostering. Other communities have independent groups you can find on social media or platforms like Nextdoor. 

Local shelters or rescues 

If you need to find a temporary home for your dog, the shelter may be a good place to call first. Depending on your location and situation, a nearby shelter or rescue may be able to help you and your pet. As mentioned above, many shelters offer respite fostering programs where your pet can be temporarily housed with a foster family, if available. There are also specific programs for domestic violence survivors and their pets, which help ensure that pets have safe places to go when escaping dangerous situations. (They can stay with you once you’re back on your feet.)

Even if your local shelter doesn’t have a specific program to help, it’s still a good idea to give them a call if you’re running out of ideas. They may know of other programs in the area. 

Professional pet sitters/boarding

If you can afford it, hiring a professional pet sitter or temporarily boarding your dog in a long-term boarding facility are other good options. This is particularly helpful if you’re completing home renovations, have a long trip planned, or have a shorter-term situation to deal with. These places can be expensive, but many offer discounts for long-term stays. You can do plenty of research online by reading reviews and checking out pictures of the facilities ahead of time. 

Steps to secure short-term dog foster care

Once you find a temporary home for your dog, there may be a few more steps before they are ready to move into their temporary home. This ensures they’re in a safe situation. Here’s what the process could look like. 

• Application/interview process: Whether you’re using an organization to locate a temporary foster, or you’ve found one on your own, the process can look a bit different. Organizations may require interviews in which they ask questions about your dog to determine candidacy for their programs. If you’re looking for a foster on your own, it’s a good idea to interview potential foster families to make sure they’re a good fit. 

• Behavior/personality assessment: If your dog is being fostered through an organization, shelter, or rescue, they’ll likely complete a behavior assessment. This helps ensure both your dog and the foster family will be safe, and that they’re a good fit. If you’re finding a foster on your own, be sure to introduce them to your pet first, gradually if possible. It’s also a good idea to introduce your dog to any other pets who will be in the home. 

• Supplies and set up: You’ll need to find out which supplies are provided by your foster family or organization, and what needs to be provided by you. It’s a good idea to send your pet to their temporary foster home with some familiar items, such as their favorite toys or bedding.

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Before, during, and after the foster period

Transitions tend to be stressful for pups, so make sure you address your dog’s needs. If you can, start with a gradual introduction to their new foster (if they don’t know them already), and set up a consistent line of communication between you and the person caring for your dog. Be sure to communicate ahead of time about factors such as medications, vet costs, dietary needs, and any other unique requirements your dog may have.  

Maintaining communication

During short-term dog foster care, set expectations with your dog’s temporary foster family. While it’s important to maintain an open line of communication, it’s also essential to understand their boundaries. They may be OK with sending the occasional photo or setting up a video call with your pup, or they may expect more privacy or be unable to accommodate those requests.

Financial responsibilities

Determine with the organization or foster family who will be responsible for costs while the dog is in their care. This may vary by situation. For example, if you’re leaving a domestic violence situation, you may not have the resources to care for your pet. But if you’re in a position to, it’s a good idea to provide funds for your pet’s vet care and supplies such as food, bedding, toys, and treats. 

Smooth reunion tips

When you’re able to reunite with your pet after being separated, there are some strategies you can use to reconnect. 

• Spend quiet time together: Let your dog get used to your scent and presence again if they need to. Depending on how long you’ve been away, they may have gone through quite an adjustment. 

• Work on training: Choose a trick or behavior you want to work on, and get started on training exercises. These are great ways to rebuild your bond and see some positive changes, too. 

• Play with them: Spend time engaged in your dog’s favorite play activities, whether that’s fetch, walks, tug of war, or whatever they’re into. 

• Lean on treats: If your dog seems timid upon your return, try offering them their favorite snacks or treats to help them get warmed up again.

Expressing gratitude 

Once you’re reunited with your pup, don’t forget to thank the foster family. Most likely, they were more than happy to help out, but keep in mind that they made some big changes to their schedule and lifestyle to accommodate your pup. A simple “thank you” can make a big difference, and doesn’t require any extra money or time. 

The best way you can express your gratitude? Pay it forward. Volunteer at a shelter when you have time, or take the opportunity to help someone else and foster a dog in a similar situation. 

Commonly asked questions 

How long can a dog stay in short-term foster care?

Typically, dogs stay in short-term foster situations for two to three weeks. However, this length of time varies greatly on a case-by-case basis. In some situations, you may need help with your dog for a few days during a move or a surgery. In other cases, you may need help finding a foster for a few weeks, or your dog may need somewhere to stay for six months to a year while you’re deployed overseas. 

Is short-term foster care usually free? 

The short answer: This depends. Some shelters, rescues, and other organizations offer short-term foster services for free, depending on your situation and their availability. In other areas, these services are not available, and you may have to look into boarding your dog at a long-term boarding facility or with a pet-sitter. 

What kind of information do foster parents need about my dog? 

If your dog is going into short-term dog foster care, you’ll need to provide: vaccination and medical records, information about their personality and any behavioral challenges, and their daily schedule and routine. They will also want to know if your pet is cat/dog/kid friendly, if they jump over or dig under fences, and any other information relevant to their care.

Are short-term foster programs available everywhere? 

Unfortunately, not all localities have the resources or population to make short-term fostering available. You may need to expand your search to nearby larger cities if you live in a rural area, or look into other options if shelters and fosters near you are at capacity. 

What if my dog doesn’t get along with the foster’s pets? 

To avoid this situation, it’s important to introduce your dog to pet roommates ahead of time, if possible. While not all pets get along, many foster families have strategies to keep them separate. If you set up your dog’s foster care independently, you may be responsible for finding a new place for your pet. If your dog’s foster care is set up through an organization, they may have resources or openings to move your pet to a home that’s a better fit. 

Can I visit my dog while they are in foster care? 

If you’re nearby and available, many short-term foster parents will allow you to visit your dog. However, keep in mind that foster families are doing a lot of rearranging to take care of your pet, so they may expect more privacy. It’s a good idea to set boundaries around visits and other communication before starting your foster setup. 

What’s the difference between fostering and boarding?

The main difference between fostering and boarding is the cost of short-term dog fostering. When you board your dog, you’re fully responsible for paying their daily room rate, their food, and any other resources they need. In a foster situation, there’s no daily fee for your dog to stay with the foster family. This can be a great temporary dog-boarding alternative. Food and resource expectations vary by situation, so be sure to speak with your foster family or organization beforehand to set clear expectations for your financial responsibilities. 

References

Cronin, Katherine. “Katherine Cronin, Ph.D.” Katherine Cronin, Ph.D, 9 July 2021, katherinecronin.net/blog/6-ways-to-reconnect. 

“Safe Care.” APA Adoption Center, 3 Mar. 2025, apamo.org/wellness/safe-care.