Fospice: Giving Dogs a Loving Home in Their Final Days

When you think of fostering pets, your mind probably goes straight to puppies or young dogs who just need a little extra love before they’re ready for adoption. But what about the dogs who need love at the end of their journey? That’s where hospice fosters come in and give senior and terminally ill pets a safe, loving home for their final days.

Hospice fostering — often referred to as “fospice” — is a unique and deeply rewarding form of animal care. It’s about offering a senior or terminally ill pet a comfortable, loving environment in their final weeks, months, or years of life. 

For Kristin Baker, a hospice foster with Billie’s Buddies in North Carolina, the decision to care for dogs nearing the end of their journeys wasn’t something she planned, but rather something she was called to. It started unexpectedly with a beautiful German Shepherd mix she found outside her office during a terrible ice storm. “He was trying to find food around the dumpster at my office, and he couldn’t control his bowels,” she recalls.

After bringing him inside and getting him to the vet, Baker learned he had rectal cancer. It was devastating, but that experience opened her up to hospice fostering. Now, years later, she and her family have cared for many dogs, providing them with love and comfort when they need it most.

What’s involved in becoming a hospice foster, and is it something anyone can do? We chatted with Baker about her many experiences.

What is fospice?

“Fospice” combines the words foster and hospice, and describes caring for animals with terminal illnesses or those too old to be adopted. Like typical animal fostering, these pets live in volunteer foster homes with support from the rescue. But fospice fosters take it a step further — giving pets a warm, loving home in their final stages of life, making sure they spend their remaining time surrounded by kindness and comfort rather than in a shelter.

Billie’s Buddies/ Nacho the dog

Meet Nacho: The spunkiest 18-year-old dog around

Baker’s current foster pet, Nacho, is not your typical hospice dog. At 18 years old, this Chihuahua–Brussels Griffon mix is fully blind and has a five/six grade heart murmur, but you’d never guess it from his energy. “If there was a picture next to the word ‘joy’ in the dictionary, it would be Nacho’s,” Baker says with a laugh. “He’s the happiest dog and has more energy than any of us in the house.”

“At 18, we weren’t sure how long we would have with him. But here we are, five months later, and he’s still as happy and spunky as the day we got him,” Baker explains. Although vets can sometimes give a prognosis for how long hospice foster pets have left, each case is different. With Nacho, they didn’t know what to expect, but it’s not uncommon for hospice foster pets to outlive their initial prognosis by months, or even years.

Despite his age and health issues, Nacho loves to play: He has a special talent for flinging his toys into the air and waiting for someone to fetch them when they land out of reach. 

What to expect when caring for a hospice foster dog

When you hear “hospice,” you might picture endless vet visits or intensive care, but Baker explains that it’s not always as daunting as people think. In Nacho’s case, his care mainly involves heart and eye medication twice a day, along with regular check-ups to monitor his condition. “Most of our fosters don’t need a ton of extra care,” Baker shares. But she’s also had dogs who’ve required syringe feeding, bandage changes, and other, more hands-on attention. “Each dog is different, and you just do what they need.”

Many of the dogs will need medical care. This might involve:

• Daily medications

• Special diets or feeding routines

• Frequent vet visits

• Mobility assistance (e.g., ramps, slings)

• Syringe feeding or bandage changes

Some dogs, like Nacho, might only need monitoring and medication, while others could have more severe health issues with extra needs. Common conditions that might put a dog in hospice care include:

• Advanced cancer

• Kidney disease

• Heart disease

• Age-related issues like blindness, arthritis, or cognitive decline

Don’t let this scare you away, even if you’ve never fostered before. While the day-to-day care can be more involved than with a standard foster animal, you’re never alone. 

Depending on the organization you’re working with, rescues typically cover the pet’s medical bills, food, medications, and supplies such as dog beds and blankets. They also help coordinate vet visits, any treatments your foster pet might need while they’re with you, and are there to answer all your foster questions. You have someone helping you every step of the way with endless guidance and support.

Manu Prats / Stocksy/

Emotional challenges with foster hospice

Caring for a terminally ill animal can tug at your heartstrings, but for Baker, the rewards far outweigh the challenges. “It’s not glamorous, and it’s definitely not easy on the heart,” she admits. But watching these dogs settle into a loving home and realize they’re safe is what she says makes it all worth it. “They’re so resilient, especially the seniors,” Baker says. “The first time they grab a toy, wag their tail, or chew a bone — it’s just magical.”

One of the most difficult parts of hospice fostering is knowing when it’s time to say goodbye. Baker reflects on the advice she once received: “It’s so much better to say goodbye a day too soon, than a day too late.” An incredible support network — her husband, fellow fosters, and friends — helps her through those difficult moments.

Knowing when to say goodbye

But how do you know when it’s time? Many hospice fosters learn to look for changes in behavior, appetite, and overall comfort. When those signs appear, the foster works closely with their vet and the rescue to assess the dog’s quality of life.

In most cases, the decision to say goodbye is made with the guidance of both the rescue and the veterinarian. Rescues help fosters through the emotional process, providing support and resources to make sure that the dog’s final moments are peaceful and loving.

Is hospice fostering right for you?

If you’ve ever thought about hospice fostering, Baker has one piece of advice: “Do it.” She knows this can seem overwhelming, but assures potential fosters that it’s the most rewarding thing you’ll ever do. And you won’t be doing it alone. Rescues like Billie’s Buddies provide support, guidance, and the resources you need to make sure your foster pet gets the best care possible.

But hospice fostering isn’t for everyone. It requires more time and attention than fostering a young, healthy dog, and it can be emotionally draining. These pets often need:

• Flexible schedules, making it a better fit for people who work from home or have a lot of availability

• Extra patience and dedication, especially while managing medical care

• A strong emotional resilience to handle the inevitable goodbye

If you’re considering hospice fostering, look into your local rescues or shelters and ask if they have a fospice program. Be sure to choose a reputable organization by looking at reviews, their online presence, and even chatting with other people who foster with them to see what it’s like.

As Baker says, “Giving an animal a safe and loving home when they need it most is such a special gift.” Even in their final days, they bring so much joy. And as Baker says, “There’s often a lot more life left in them than you’d expect.” Just ask Nacho, the 18-year-old dog who still acts like a playful puppy.

Postscript: Baker and the Billie’s Buddies team lovingly supported Nacho until he peacefully crossed the rainbow bridge on March 15, 2025. 

Commonly asked questions

How long do hospice foster dogs typically live?

The life expectancy of a hospice foster dog depends on their health condition. While some may have just weeks or months left, others may surprise you by living much longer than anticipated, as in Nacho’s case.

What kinds of care do hospice foster pets need?

Hospice foster pets often require daily medications, special diets, and frequent vet visits. Some may need help with mobility or specific medical procedures like syringe feeding or wound care. The rescue usually provides guidance and supplies for these needs.

Does the rescue cover medical costs?

Yes, most rescues cover medical bills for hospice foster animals. They also often provide food, medications, and other supplies, so fosters don’t have to worry about the financial burden.

What are common medical conditions in hospice dogs?

Common conditions include cancer, heart disease, kidney failure, and age-related issues such as blindness or severe arthritis. The type of care depends on the dog’s specific condition and needs.

How do I know when it’s time to say goodbye?

Hospice fosters learn to watch for signs like changes in behavior, appetite, and comfort levels. When it’s time, fosters typically consult with the vet and rescue to ensure the dog’s final moments are peaceful and dignified.

Is hospice fostering right for me?

Hospice fostering is ideal for those with flexible schedules who can provide the extra care these pets need. It requires emotional resilience but offers the rewarding experience of giving a pet love and comfort in their final days.